Freight from Vietnam to South Korea _ Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

Freight from Vietnam to South Korea | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

What is the best method to ship items from Vietnam to South Korea cheaply but with a good carrier?

 

Doc Shipper can take care of shipping your goods or effects from Vietnam to South Korea. We will explain you the best means of transport according to the volume, weight and nature of your goods. Doc Shipper can also take care of loading and unloading, packing and unpacking of your goods. In addition to that we can take care of the customs clearance of your goods.

There are two possible solutions to send your goods from Vietnam to Korea, sea freight and air freight. In theory it should be possible to send your goods overland to South Korea. Unfortunately South Korea has a land border with North Korea only and goods cannot cross North Korea.

We are going to see these two solutions.

Sea freight shipping from Vietnam to South Korea

Overview - Sea freight from Vietnam to South Korea

Sea freight is the most common method of international transport. It’s the most widely used method in the world and also the chipest one.Β 

Shipping company offering services from Vietnam to South Korea portsΒ 

Here are few examples of shipping company available :

Port of Busan

Busan Port is the largest port in South Korea and is located near the city of Busan, a large city of 3 million people. It is located at the mouth of the Nakdong River. It was created in 1878 to trade with China and Japan.

Port of Incheon

The port of Incheon is the second largest port in South Korea. It opened in 1883 and has a very great influence on the economy of the city of Incheon.

 

Port of Gwangyang

Le port de Gwangyang est un port au sud de la coree du sud Γ  proximitΓ© de la petite ville de Gwangyang.

Port of Jeju

Jeju Port is located in Jeju City. It is very popular for exporting and importing goods. It was transformed into a real seaport in 1913.

 

Should I ship by consolidation or full container from Vietnam to South Korea?

LCL - Less Than Container Load

(Also called consolidation), this is the cheapest way to send a small quantity of goods (less than 15 CBM). LCL consists of sharing a container with other shippers. If you don't have the volume to fill an FCL, shipping your goods by LCL may be a good option.

FCL - Full Container Load

FCL is an international standard for contenair. There exist 2 types of containers: 20' and 40'. FCL is a very good way to export goods from Vietnam to South Korea especially if you have a large volume to ship (more than 15 CBM).

How long does it take to ship from Vietnam to South Korea by sea freightΒ 

Busan Incheon Jeju Β Gwangyang
Da Nang 5 days 5 days 5 days 5 days
Saigon 6 days 6 days 6 days 6 days
Ba Ngoi 6 days 6 days 6 days 6 days
Cam Pha 5 days 5 days 5 days 5 days

Please keep in mind that the transit time takes into consideration only the freight. Indeed, pick up, delivery, loading unloading aren’t take into consideration and can lengthen transport time.

 

How much does it cost to ship a container from Vietnam to South Korea?

Sea freight is the most common way to send goods from Vietnam to South Korea. It is the cheapest option to send high volume and regular goods.

If your shipment exceeds 1 CBM or 100 Kg the air freight will be too expensive and you should opt for sea freight.

The price of ocean freight depends on many factors, so it is not fixed, which is why we provide a custom quote to each of our customers. The price varies according to the carrier, the nature of the goods, the weight, the volume etc.

Special sea freight servicesΒ 

Reefer container from Vietnam to South Korea

Some people have very special needs such as sending food or goods that cannot be loaded into a container because of their size.

Docshipper can advise you on the best way to send your goods and book it for you.

Β 

Roro/Bulk/OOG from Vietnam to South Korea

RORO:

A Ro-Ro is a ship used to transport, among other things, vehicles, loaded by a ramp. Their name comes from the English word roll-on/roll-off. They are distinguished from the usual cargo ships where products are loaded vertically by cranes, here the vehicles are loaded horizontally.

BULK:

Some ships can carry bulk goods (grain, coal, fruit, etc.). The products are transported directly into the ship's hold. A distinction is made between solid cargoes in bulk and liquid cargoes in bulk: (such as coal, ferrous ores, cereals, etc) bulk liquids: (oil, etc).

OOG

OOG (Out of Gauge) cargoes are a special category of goods. They are too heavy or too large to fit in a 40" container, it can be for exemple, an airplane wing, a truck, etc. These types of cargoes are usually loaded on a special platform or trailer for transport on the ship.

Air freight shipping from Vietnam to South Korea

Overview – Classic vs Express air freightΒ 

The difference between conventional and express air freight is the transit time. For an express shipment it takes about 4 days whereas it takes about 1 week for a conventional shipment. As the airplane cannot fly any faster, the loading / unloading and customs clearance times are shortened. These two means are in any case faster than a sea shipment.

Β 

What is the difference between volumetric and gross weight?

*To consider the density of your shipment, two methods are used to sort out the chargeable weight of your goods.

The two calculations below are performed. The more important result will be consider.

Should I choose a Classic Air freight from Vietnam to South Korea?

Which airlines company should you ship with to ship to South Korea ?

  • Vietnam Airlines (in Vietnamese HΓ£ng hΓ ng khΓ΄ng Quα»‘c gia Việt Nam) is Vietnam's national airline operating domestic and international flights. Its two main hubs are Tan International Airport SΖ‘n in Ho Chi Minh City and Ba'i International Airport in Hanoi. Vietnam airline also has a cargo service that will allow you to send your goods.
  • TheΒ Korean Air (in Korean:Β μ£Όμ‹νšŒμ‚¬ λŒ€ν•œν•­κ³΅), is the largest airline in South Korea. It is also the largest cargo carrier in South Korea. Korean Air is headquartered in Seoul. It operates domestic and international flights and also has an air cargo service.
  • Asiana Airlines (in Korean: μ•„μ‹œμ•„λ‚˜ν•­κ³΅) is the second largest airline in South Korea, behind Korean Air. Asiana is headquartered in Seoul. In 2018, it operated 19% of domestic flights and 16% of international flights.

Transit time Door to Door from Vietnam to South Korea by air freight ?

For a door to door operation from Vietnam to South Korea, you should count at about 5 to 7 days depending on the time of the week and the period.

 

How much does it cost to ship a parcel from Vietnam to South Korea?

Price depends on many factors:Β  Carrier, nature of goods, weight, size POD, POL,monthly price update. It is why we quote case by case cause of price changes. Do not hesitate to contact our experts to obtain your detailed price.

 

Should I choose an Express Air freight from Vietnam to South Korea?

Express service – Perfect solution for small package

If your goods weigh less than 100Kg, express shipping is the ideal solution. However, if your goods weigh more than 100 kg, the express shipment will be too expensive compared to a conventional shipment. In any case DocShipper can advise you on this.

 

How long does it take for a package to be shipped from Vietnam to South Korea?Β 

Thanks to our internal customs department and our good relations with express shipping companies, we can offer you faster delivery time and good prices. Thanks to the fast customs clearance process (automated), you should count no more than 5 days for the all process (depending on the time of the week and the period).

express-courier logo

 

How much does an Express service cost from Vietnam to South Korea

*To quote your express shipment, a different method than gross and volumetric weight is applied. For express freight, you must consider that 1 CBM = 200 kgs. Β 

As with conventional air freight, it is impossible to give you a price. Indeed the price depends on many factors such as weight, size, nature of the goods etc. We therefore need this information in order to provide you with an accurate and personalised quotation.

Major airports to ship in South Korea

There are very few airports in South Korea that have cargo terminals.

Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Seoul-Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in South Korea. It serves the Seoul area. It is one of the largest airports in the world. It has a cargo terminal, hosting many cargo companies such as Korean Air Cargo.

 

DocShipper – Door to Door specialist Β 

Our door-to-door shipment service is very popular with our customers. In addition, we are responsible for the entire supply chain from door to door. We therefore ensure the quality of the shipment and this allows us to provide you with a better service.

Customs clearance in South Korea for goods imported from VietnamΒ 

How much will I pay ?Β 

We know that it is very important to know how much customs duty you are going to pay because this customs duty will be added to the cost of freight and transport. South Korea, as a member of the World Trade Organization, uses the HS code (composed of 6 digits). the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.

This numbers defines the nature of your good (by ID).

Here is the composition of an HS Code

hs code of a pineapple

Calculate applicable tariff with the HS code

You found your HS Code ? It's now time to check how many taxes you will have to pay on your shipment. You just need to do the following steps :

Here we're going to keep the example of our pineapple.

Go to the Korean customs websiteΒ you should reach a page who looks like this :

korean custom 1

As our example on the screenshot, fill requested informations :

  • Your HS Code

You will come to a page like this:

korean customs 2

There are different tariffs applicable depending on the country where the goods come from.

Check the duties and taxes applied on your product

Customs clearance process in South Korea

korean custom process

 

Customs contact

import-custom-clearance-process

What are the Licenses required (import & export)?

Import licenseΒ 

To import most goods into South Korea you do not need an import license. However, a license may be required to import certain sensitive products, as in most countries.

 

Necessary documentsΒ 

Behind is a blank document needed for written customs declaration.

document korean custom

 

The original invoice

The invoice makes it possible to know the value of the goods. Customs duties will be applied to this declared value.

  • Invoice number
  • Name and address of the importer and exporter
  • Date of issue
  • The terms of delivery
  • Description of the goods (as quality, name, etc.)
  • Unit of measure (Kg, Lbs, meter, inch etc.)
  • Quantity of goods
  • Total invoice value
  • Date of payment
  • Unit value
  • Means of transport
  • Currency of payment
  • Method of payement

 

Freight Documents (Transport Documentation)

Such as:

  • FIATA Bill of Lading
  • Air Waybill (AWB)
  • ATA Carnet
  • Rail Waybill (CIM)
  • Road Waybill (CMR)
  • Bill of Lading
  • TIR Carnet

 

The packing list

The packing list summarizes all the articles contained in the package. It is necessary to clear the goods through customs.

 

Prohibited & restricted items in South Korea

Certai products are prohibited for import into South Korea. Further import permits are required, in particular due to health reasons.

Restricted items :

  • Jerky, hams and sausage products are prohibited unless they are gifts or for personal consumption from New Zealand or Australia

 

Prohibited items :

  • Bearer Documents
  • Poisons
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Hormone Drug
  • Liquids, Haz
  • Pornography
  • Graphite Products
  • Ice, Wet
  • Soil
  • Stamps or seals to be affixed on a contract or application for banking

Trade agreementΒ 

Vietnam and South Korea have signed an agreement to simplify trade relations between the two countries. This agreement was signed in 2015. This agreement provides, on the Vietnamese side, the suppression of the three customs duties on 265 products, notably textile, automotive and electronic products.

South Korea, for its part, undertakes to abolish customs duties on 502 products, including agricultural products.

This agreement will therefore facilitate trade between the two countries. And this in both directions.

 

Additional servicesΒ 

Our warehousing servicesΒ 

We have many warehouses in Vietnam, including in the ports of Saigon, Haiphong and Quy Nhon. This allows us to receive your goods in Vietnam and store them, if necessary, in our warehouses . These warehouses are equipped with the latest equipment and security standards.

Storage service in South Korea

Thanks to our partner network in South Korea we can offer you a wide range of storage services for your goods. As we are used to working with these partners, we can also offer you advantageous rates.

 

Our packing/unpacking servicesΒ 

OverviewΒ 

We have several years of experience in shipping and packaging. We can therefore provide you with the ideal packaging for your goods. Good packaging is essential to avoid damage to your goods. We will provide you with the best packaging solution for your needs and budget.

 

Packing materialΒ 

Carton box

Cardboard boxes are widely used for moving. They are resistant and avoid damage to your personal belongings.

 

PalletizationΒ 

Palletizing is the best way to get your goods safely into a container. We can perform this operation for you if necessary, for example if your supplier does not offer this service.

 

Wooden boxesΒ 

Wooden boxes serve to facilitate transport and offer the best possible protection for your products. DocShipper is able to provide you with the wooden crate you need to transport and protect your goods. This type of packaging is ideal for fragile objects or objects that need to be held in one direction.

 

Packing very important for the insuranceΒ 

It often happens that goods are damaged during sea or air transport. Thanks to our Experience and professionalism, it is very rare that your goods are damaged. Moreover, a good packaging is very important to reduce the price of the insurance policy you will have to pay.

 

Freight insuranceΒ 

How much does a freight insurance cost ?

The amount of your insurance policy is based on the value of your goods.

The following calculation is made : (freight value + product value) * 2-3%.

Of course, these rates depend on the goods being transported, the insurance companies, etc.

 

Supplier management in VietnamΒ 

Control quality in VietnamΒ 

We want you to find the best products for your business. Our quality control and sourcing team, can therefore, on your behalf, get in touch with your supplier in order to check its seriousness, packaging, HS code or even the quality of its products. We check every aspect of your product.

Thanks to this we can guarantee you a trouble-free shipment without any unpleasant surprises for you.

 

3PL Services in VietnamΒ 

Order fulfillment/Packing & labelling in VietnamΒ 

The supply chain is something very complicated to master, especially for complex products such as electronic products. That's why we can accompany you all along the supply chain.

 

Last kilometer deliveryΒ 

Thanks to our relations with our partners in South Korea and Vietnam, we can guarantee you a delivery to your home in Vietnam or South Korea and a delivery, unloading and unpacking service carried out by professionals.

 

Shipping personal effects from VietnamΒ 

Excess baggageΒ 

If you bought too many souvenirs or other items during your trip and your luggage cannot be carried on the plane, we can arrange to have them delivered to your home.

The solution? DocShipper and its express delivery will allow you to receive your excess baggage quickly at home in Australia.

Moving service from Vietnam to South Korea

If you have difficulties with customs clearance, packing or storage, we can take care of it for you. Please see our relocation service page: Moving services

Can DocShipper handle my personal effects from Vietnam to South Korea?

We have a specialized moving service. We can therefore take care of your move perfectly. We have several services available, including packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, or just transportation to provide you the best, and the most personalize door-to-door service. We also take care of customs clearance.

What is the cheapest way to ship goods from Vietnam to South Korea?

The cheapest method will depend on the volume. For volumes of less than 1 CBM the cheapest method is express shipping (DHL, FedEx, etc.). For volumes between 1 and 3 CBM air freight is the cheapest method. For volumes of more than 3 CBM sea freight is the cheapest.

What is the best between sea freight and air freight?

Sea freight will be the cheapest for volumes above 3 CBM. On the other hand, air freight has the advantage of being the fastest. Count 5 to 6 days from Vietnam to South Korea with sea freight against a few hours with air freight.

What we need to know to provide you a quote?

Prices depend on many factors, that's why we provide quotes individually. Therefore we need as much information as possible such as dimensions / weight / departure and arrival address / need for packing or loading service / volumetric weight are the information we need to give you a quotation.

Can I modify the delivery address once the freight process has begun?

You can change the delivery address, but please let us know as soon as possible to avoid extra costs.

 

DocShipper | Your dedicated freight forwarder in Vietnam !

 

Due to our attractive pricing, many customers trust our services and we thanks them. Stop overpaying the services and save money with our tailored package matching will all type of shipment, from small volume to full container, let us find the best and cost-effective solution.

Communication is important, which is why we strive to discuss in the most suitable way for you!

Freight from Vietnam to Germany _ Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

Freight from Vietnam to Germany | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

What is the best method to ship items from Vietnam to Germany cheaply but with a good carrier?

Let’s see the best transportation methods according to the nature/volume/weight/class of goods. DocShipper can send your effects by sea from Vietnam to Germany. We can also take care of customs clearance, delivery, loading and unloading and packing if required. According to your critters, our moving consultant will analyze and determine the most suitable solution.

There are two possible solutions to send your goods from Vietnam to Germany, sea freight and air freight. As you can guess, because of the sea, there is no rail freight possible.

We are going to see these two solutions.

Sea freight shipping from Vietnam to Germany

Overview - Ocean cargo from Vietnam to Germany

Sea freight is the most common method of international transport. It’s the most widely used method in the world.

Shipping company offering services from Vietnam to Germany portsΒ 

Here are few examples :

Port of Hamburg

The port of Hamburg is at the bottom of the Elbe estuary at 144 kilometres from the North Sea, it is specialising in container traffic. Its location in centre of Germany allows the port of Hamburg to handle most of the national container traffic.

Β The port of Hamburg is the most important commercial port in Germany. He is also the third in Europe, after Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Antwerp (Belgium).

Port of Bremerhaven

The port of Bremerhaven is the second most important port in Germany. It has direct access to the North Sea. It is therefore possible for you to send your goods to Bremerhaven.

Port of Bremen

Β The port of Bremen is the third most important port in Germany. It is managed by bremenports GmbH & Co KG. In 2011, 60 million tonnes of products passed through this port. This includes 6 million containers and 2.1 million cars.

Because of its closeness to German car factories, the port of Bremen is the world's leading port for car transport.

Should I ship by consolidation or full container from Vietnam to Germany?

LCL - Less Than Container Load

(also known as consolidation) It's when several shippers are group in the same container. This makes it possible to send goods for less than an FCL (Full Container Load. If you don't have the necessary volume to fill an FCL, ship your goods by LCL can be a good option.

FCL - Full Container Load

FCL is an international standard. It exists two types of containers: 20' and 40'. FCL is a very good way to export products from Vietnam, especially if you have a large volume to ship.

How long does it take to ship from Vietnam to Germany by sea freight ?

Hamburg Bremhaven Bremen
Da Nang 31 days 30 days 30 days
Saigon 29 days 29 days 29 days
Ba Ngoi 31 days 30 days 30 days
Cam Pha 31 days 31 days 31 days

Please keep in mind that the transit time takes into consideration only the freight. Indeed, pick up, delivery, loading unloading aren’t take into consideration.

 

How much does it cost to transport a container from Vietnam to Germany?

Note that ocean freight is the most prevalent transfer method used by German importers anyway. Indeed, for large and regular shipments, it is the most cost-effective option.

As a result, most of the freight is transferred by ocean freight from Vietnam to Germany. If your shipment exceeds 1CBM / 100kgs, air freight isn’t the good solution, it will be too expensive.

Most of the time, sea freight is the cheapest way to send your products. This is the case for sending them from Vietnam to Germany.

Price depends on many factors: Β POD, POL, Carrier, nature of goods, monthly price update. We quote case by case cause of price changes.

Special sea freight servicesΒ 

Reefer container from Vietnam to Germany

We understand that some of our clients have very specific needs. Certain desire to send foodstuffs. That is why we are committed to guarantee the transport of containers at a controlled temperature in order to maintain the cold chain.

Docshipper will advise you, if necessary, and then reserve it for you.

Β 

Roro/Bulk/OOG from Vietnam to Germany

RORO:

A Ro-Ro is a vessel used to transport, among other things, vehicles, loaded by one or more ramps. They are also known as Ro-Ro, from the English word roll-on/roll-off meaning literally "roll, roll, roll", to distinguish them from the usual cargo ships where products are loaded vertically by cranes.

BULK:

Bulk products are products transported directly into the ship's hold or into the facilities provided for that purpose. A distinction is made in this case between bulk products and general cargo. A distinction is made between bulk cargoes and general cargoes: solid bulk cargoes : (such as coal, ferrous and non-ferrous ores) liquids in bulk: (petroleum and petroleum products).

OOG

OOG (Out of Gauge) cargoes are a special category of products. Because of their dimensions or weight, for example, some goods cannot be loaded in traditional containers. These types of cargo are usually loaded onto a platform or trailer for transport.

Air freight shipping from Vietnam to Germany

Overview – Classic vs Express air freightΒ 

The length of the shipment is the aspect that makes all the difference between these two shipping methods. An express shipment takes about 4 days whereas a classic shipment takes 1 week. Customs clearance is also fastest for express shipment. These two methods will in any case be faster than a shipment via sea freight.

Β 

What is the difference between volumetric and gross weight?

*To consider the density of your shipment, two methods are used to sort out the chargeable weight of your goods.

The two calculations below are performed. The more important result will be consider.

Should I choose a Classic Air freight from Vietnam to Germany?

Which airlines company should you ship with ?

  • Lufthansa Cargo, a subsidiary of the German company Deutsche Lufthansa, is in charge of managing air freight transport. It is possible to charter an entire aircraft or use Lufthansa's regular routes.
  • Vietnam Airlines (in Vietnamese HΓ£ng hΓ ng khΓ΄ng Quα»‘c gia Việt Nam) is the national airline of Vietnam. It operates domestic and international flights from its two main hubs at Tan International Airport SΖ‘n NhαΊ₯t in Ho Chi Minh City and Nα»™i BΓ i International Airport in Hanoi.

Transit time Door to Door from Vietnam to Germany by air freight ?

For a door to door operation, you should count at about 6 to 8 days depending on the time of the week and the period.

How much does it cost to ship a parcel from Vietnam to Australia?

Price depends on many factors: Β POD, POL, Carrier, nature of goods, monthly price update. We quote case by case cause of price changes. Do not hesitate to contact our experts to get a detailed quote.

Should I choose an Express Air freight from Vietnam to Germany ?

Express service – Perfect solution for small package

Express services are the ideal solution if your products weigh less than 100 kg. If your products weigh more than 100 kg, it will be too expensive. However, we can give advices you on this matter

How long does it take for a package to be shipped from Vietnam to Germany?Β 

Thanks to our good relations with express shipping companies and our internal customs department, we can offer you good prices and faster delivery times. Thanks to the fast customs clearance process (automated), you should count no more than 4 days for the all process.

express-courier logo

 

How much does an Express service cost from Vietnam to GermanyΒ 

*To quote your express shipment, a different method than gross and volumetric weight is applied. For express freight, you must consider that 1 CBM = 200 kgs. Β 

It is impossible to provide price as it depends on so many factors (same as classic air freight) it is why we used to quote case by case. Please, advise more information about the operation, and then we will revert to you with a quotation. We are working with these companies for so long. Therefore, the price we can get from them are very low. If you ask them directly, you will have some bad surprises.

Major airports to ship in Germany

Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

Frankfurt Airport is the most important airport in Germany and the third largest in Europe. This allows it to be perfectly integrated into international air freight transport. It is also the hub of the country's biggest airline, Lufthansa.

Hamburg Airport (HAM)

Hamburg AirportΒ  is located 8.5km north of Hamburg, which allows simplified deliveries to the centre of Hamburg.

Berlin Airports (SFX) and (TXL)

You can import freight into Germany thanks to these two airports. Their proximity to Berlin can be a great advantage for you, because they are near to a great hub.

Munich Airport (MUC)

The airport is also a major hub for Lufthansa Cargo. It is located 28 km north of Munich but is well served, so you can still easily reach it to pick up your cargo.

Door-to-door transfer from Vietnam to the Germany

Door-to-door method overview

You are looking for the most complete and top-of-the-range service? Take the door-to-door service. Therefore, we take care of all the process from the pickup address to the delivery address. We will pick up your shipping in Vietnam (with Packing / Loading if necessary) and make the delivery in Germany (with Unloading / Unpacking if necessary).

DocShipper – Door to Door specialist Β 

The comfort provided by our door-to-door services is really appreciated by our customers, thanks to our best price and high quality services. Besides, note that we are responsible for every phase of the transfer, and we are well skilled and proficient in this domain. We can therefore manage the entire logistics chain in order to provide you with the best possible protection against possible problems.

Customs clearance in Germany for products imported from VietnamΒ 

How much will I pay ?Β 

Knowing the precise cost of freight and customs clearance is very important for you, to know how much you are going to paid. Germany, as each member of the World Trade Organisation the HS code is used (composed of 6 numbers). the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. This numbers defines the nature of your good (by ID).

Here is the composition of an HS Code

hs code of a pineapple

Calculate applicable tariff with the HS code

As Germany is a member of the European Union, EU customs duties apply. To import products into the European Union, customs duties must be paid on entry into any of the countries of the Union. Once these customs duties have been paid, the goods can move freely in any country of the European Union.

You found your HS Code ? It's now time to check how many taxes you will have to pay on your shipment. You just need to do the following steps :

Go to the portail of taxation and customs of European Union you should reach a page who looks like this :

UE custom clearance

As our example on the screenshot, fill 2 requested informations :

  • Your HS Code
  • Origin of goods

You will come to a page like this:

UE custom clearance 2

Scroll down, search for your product, and click on the HS code to get the duty information:

UE custom clearance 3

 

Check the duties and taxes applied on your product

In our example, European customs charge duties as 5.80% on pineapple coming from Vietnam :

Customs clearance process in Europe

Customs declaration

In order to make the customs declaration to clear your goods entering the European Union, you will use the Single Administrative Document (SAD). This document simplifies the process and has many advantages like:

  • ensuring openness in administrative requirements
  • reduce administrative documentation
  • reduce the amount of requested information and so simplify the process
  • standardize and harmonize data

This document can be use for:

  • export
  • import
  • transit where the new computerised transit system (NCTS) is not yet used
  • warehouses
  • temporary import
  • inward and outward processing

If you want more informations about the Single Administrative Document you can have a look on the import procedure section from European Union customs website.

 

Customs contact

import-custom-clearance-process

What are the Licenses required (import & export)?

Import licenseΒ 

In order to import in European Union, or in Germany, you do not need import licence. But you can need some permits (depending on the nature of goods and his value) to avoid trouble with customs. Besides, an importer needs to ensure that the goods are well labelled and that it can not be a problem.

Licensing authorities also publish updates on current concerns. However, this does not always reflect current customs legislation.

 

Required documentsΒ 

Single administrative document (SAD)

The single administrative is the only one required for written customs declaration.

Here is a single blank administrative document.

single administrative document

 

The original invoice

The invoice is used to formalize a transaction between the buyer and the seller. It also makes it possible to know the value of the good, and thus to know the price on which the customs duties will be calculated.

  • Name and address of the importer and exporter
  • Date of issue
  • Invoice number
  • Description of the goods (as name, quality, etc.)
  • Unit of measure (Kg, Lbs,etc.)
  • Quantity of goods
  • Unit value
  • Total invoice value
  • Currency of payment
  • Method of payement
  • Date of payment
  • The terms of delivery
  • Means of transport

 

Freight Documents (Transport Documentation)

Such as:

  • FIATA Bill of Lading
  • Air Waybill (AWB)
  • ATA Carnet
  • Rail Waybill (CIM)
  • Road Waybill (CMR)
  • Bill of Lading
  • TIR Carnet

 

The packing list

The packing list is summing up all the items included in your shipment.

 

Freight insurance

The insurance invoice is only required when the insurance is not mentioned in the original invoice.

 

Prohibited & restricted itemsΒ 

Certai products are prohibited for import into the European Union. Further import permits are required, in particular due to health reasons.

Restricted items :

  • Plants
  • Live animal
  • Seafood product
  • Dangerous and chemicals product (some need licence and some are prohibited)

 

Prohibited items :

  • Counterfeit or pirated products.

 

Trade agreementΒ 

A draft bilateral agreement is currently under way, known as EVFTA. This project aims to eliminate 99% of customs duties between Vietnam and EU member countries, including Germany. This would greatly enhance trade between the two countries. For more information on this agreement you can go here.

EVFAT

 

Trade relationshipΒ 

The European Union has very good trade relations with the United States, China and Switzerland. Vietnam is not the main trading partner.

 

Additional servicesΒ 

Our warehousing servicesΒ 

We have warehouses in Vietnam, notably in the ports of Saigon, Haiphong and Quy Nhon. These warehouses are modern and perfectly secured. We can therefore receive your goods in Vietnam and store them, if necessary, in our warehouses.

Storage service in Germany

Thanks to our local network based on Germany, we can store your goods on the country for cheap. We also have warehouses close to the largest ports in Germany.

 

Our packing/unpacking servicesΒ 

OverviewΒ 

Our experience enables us to provide you with the most suitable packaging for transporting your goods. Indeed a good packaging is necessary to avoid damaging your goods. Thus, we will propose you the best alternative corresponding to your needs and your budget.

 

Packing materialΒ 

Carton box

The best cartons boxes will be used for your belongings such as relocation. It will be thick and unfolded (for better protection against potential damage). Our packaging techniques will be adapted according to your goods.

 

PalletizationΒ 

It will be a much safer way to get your goods into the container. We have every pallet size available for you, if your supplier is not able to carry out this operation.

 

Wooden boxesΒ 

Once again, this method aims to facilitate transportation by protecting your belongings. The wooden crate is intended for rather bulky objects. There are wooden crates and wooden chests. The crate will be preferable if you have to place it in a certain direction. Otherwise, you may as well use the crate.Β Docshipper is able to manufacture those that will fit your goods and your needs.

 

Packing very important for the insuranceΒ 

Thanks to our experience and professionalism, it is very rare that your goods are damaged during transport, as is often the case with sea and air shipments.

 

Freight insuranceΒ 

How much does a freight insurance cost ?

The amount of your insurance policy will be based on the value of your goods.

The following calculation is made in general : (freight value + product value) * 2-3%.

Of course, these rates depend on the insurance companies, the goods being transported, etc.

 

Supplier management in VietnamΒ 

Control quality in VietnamΒ 

Our goal is for you to find the best products. We will therefore contact your supplier to check your products (their condition and especially their packaging). Good packaging prevents your products from being damaged during transport.

We guarantee smooth shipments. For this we check all aspects of your products, such as standards, HS code. This is also easy because our teams speak Vietnamese, French and English fluently.

 

3PL Services in VietnamΒ 

Order fulfilment/Packing & labelling in VietnamΒ 

Completely mastering the supply chain is very complicated. For electronic devices, for example, quality andΒ  packaging are very important. This is why we will accompany you during all the steps of the supply chain.

Last kilometer deliveryΒ 

Thanks to our networks and the relationship in Germany and in Vietnam, we can guarantee you a delivery at your residence in Vietnam or in Germany and a professional service of delivery and unloading and unpacking.

Shipping personal effects from VietnamΒ 

Excess baggageΒ 

If you come back from your trip and you bought too much on the spot, you probably won't be able to carry it on the plane. We can therefore deliver your extra belongings to you.

The solution? DocShipper and its express delivery will allow you to receive your excess baggage quickly at home in Australia.

Moving service from Vietnam to Germany

If you have problems with customs clearance, packing or sotcking, we can take care of it for you. Please see our relocation services page: Moving services

 

DocShipper | Your dedicated freight forwarder in Vietnam !

 

Due to our attractive pricing, many customers trust our services and we thanks them. Stop overpaying the services and save money with our tailored package matching will all type of shipment, from small volume to full container, let us find the best and cost-effective solution.

Communication is important, which is why we strive to discuss in the most suitable way for you!

Freight Vietnam - Europe | Rates - Transit Times - Duties & Taxes

Freight Vietnam – Europe | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

You wish to export or import between Vietnam and a European country? The information on this subject, the regulations, for example, are rather complicated to find. To make it no longer a problem for you, the Docshipper team has produced this guide. Each mode of transport is available, we will study your different criteria in order to offer you the one that is best suited to your needs and expectations. Take advantage of this guide and do not hesitate to contact us.

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Freight between Vietnam and China | Rates - Transit Times - Duties & Taxes

Freight between Vietnam and China | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

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CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IN VIETNAM

Customs clearance in Vietnam

Do you plan to import products (or even personal effects) in Vietnam? Then your goods must pass by the customs! This is a mandatory step to import things into the country (and it is the same worldwide, basically).

On this page, we will check in detail the whole process to import goods into the country. We will also have a quick look at norms and compliance in Vietnam.

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freight-vietnam-australia

Freight from Vietnam to Australia | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

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Master Bill of Lading (MBL) vs House Bill of Lading (HBL)

Master Bill of Lading (MBL) vs House Bill of Lading (HBL)

FNM Advice: FNM Vietnam is an international freight forwarder that handles all of your needs by operating as your single point of contact with all the logistics service providers. Relax because we take care of everything, packaging, organizing transport, customs clearance, administrative procedures, and regardless of the shipping method (air, sea, road, rail). Contact us to receive a free quote in less than 24 hours.

The paperwork in import and export operations is very important. Indeed, the slightest missing document and your cargo can be blocked at customs, or even destroyed ... In this article, we will explain the difference between a Master Bill of Lading (MBL) and a House Bill of Lading (HBL).

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FI πŸ“¦ How to Deal With Damaged Cargo

How to deal with damaged cargo ?

In all the years that we have been handling shipments from/to Asia, We have seen practically everything :

  1. We received damaged merchandise because of the carrier's fault
  2. We have received damaged merchandise because of the supplier
  3. Customers called us because they received the wrong container
  4. And on one occasion they got stolen directly into the container on the way from Asia to Europe.

It is something for which youΒ must be prepared and have everything well tiedΒ so that your money does not fade due to the incompetence of any of the parties involved in transport. In this blog post, we will tell you what has been the way to proceed whenever we have had some type of incident in the transport of the merchandise.

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Buy on Alibaba to sell on Amazon

πŸ›’ Buy on Alibaba to sell on Amazon

Buy in China and sell on Amazon is increasingly within the reach of everyone. As we enter the nineteenth century, we can see that commercial and digital transformation in the world has enabled us to acquire goods and sell them across the globe. Companies like Amazon, Rakuten, eBay, Alibaba and Aliexpress, among others, have changed our way of doing business and how we can reach the end customer and suppliers. And hang on because it's not over yet!

At the same time, this symbiosis allows any citizen to take advantage of these advances, technological and digital developments to create business models that were previously much more expensive and much more complex from a logistical, commercial and economic point of view ( we think in particular Drop Shipping which has exploded in recent years).

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Freight Vietnam – USA _ Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

Freight Vietnam – USA | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on freight between Vietnam and the United States. The Southeast Asian region has been experiencing tremendous economic growth, and Vietnam is particularly attracting the attention of many. With limited information available online about shipping from or to Vietnam, we have decided to create this series of articles to provide you with all the information you need about the transfer process between the two countries. In this article, we will delve into the customs clearance in the US for Vietnamese goods, the various transit times and freight methods, the transfer prices, and the economic relationship between the two nations. If you require personalized advice, please feel free to reach out to our consultants. Let's explore the world of freight together!

Β What is the best freight method to transfer goods from Vietnam to USA?

sea freight services guide

Ocean freight between USA and Vietnam

A quick overview of the American ports infrastructures

The USA is one of the greatest countries in the world, in terms of geography, population and economy. Located in the Northern part of the American continent, its territory is entirely crossing it. It explains why the US have great coastlines on the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and on the Gulf of Mexico. The country is home to the 5 biggest ports in America according to the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). It enables the US to receive great volume of goods from overseas, but also to export its tremendous production to foreign countries. Thereby, maritime freight is the most used method to import goods from Vietnam into the USA.

Β Shipping companies operating between Vietnam and the US

Β  Β Β  Β logo shipping company evergreenLogo company CSAVLogo shipping company ZIMlogo shipping company maerskLogo company K lineLogo shipping company DelmasLogo shipping company coscoLogo shipping company CMA CGMLogo shipping company Hanjinlogo company Wan HaiLogo company UASCLogo company msclogo FESCO shipping companylogo APL shipping companylogo MOL shipping companylogo shipping company hapag lloyd Β  Β  Β 

 

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Β Port of Los Angeles

The port of Los Angeles is the busiest port in the United States and in northern America. In 2017, the port managed 198 million of tons in total, and 9.34 million of TEUs. Amongst it, 14 million were bulk cargo. For container shipping, it is a growth of 5.5% compared to the previous year. It is also a growth of 8.2% in terms of other cargo.

Β Port of Long Beach

The port of Long Beach is the second port of Los Angeles, and also the second busiest port of North America. They administered 8.1 million of TEUs in 2018 which is a progression of 6.6% compared to 2017. 140,3 million of tons of cargo went through this port in 2018, which is a slight growth of 3.28% compared to the previous year.

Β Port of New York/New Jersey

In this ports network, 6.7 million of container TEUs where handled in 2017, which corresponds to a growth of 7.3% compared to the previous year. In terms of cargo tonnage, 80 million of tons where managed there during the year 2016, which is a growth of 6.2% compared to the year 2015. All these quantities are making PONYANJ one of the 3 biggest ports in America and in the USA.

Β Port of Savannah

The port of Savannah is the 4th biggest port in northern America. Its total tonnage was of 35 million of tons in 2017 which is a growth of 12.1% compared to the year 2016. 4.05 million of TEUs were handled there during the year 2017, which is corresponding to a growth of 11% compared to the previous year.

Port of Houston

The port of Houston is the 6th biggest American port in terms of TEUs and the second port in terms of cargo tonnage in 2017. It handled 2.4 million of TEUs and 173 million of tonnes of cargo during that same year. It is the most important port on the Gulf of Mexico.

What is the most adapted solution between LCL and a whole container between Vietnam and the USA?

Β What is LCL?

LCL, meaningΒ β€œLess than a container load” is one of the two methods to manage space inside a container. It is used when your shipment isn’t very voluminous, so a full container is not advantageous to use. Thereby, your shipment will be added to other small shipments from other consignees in order to fulfil greatly the container. It is financially advantageous, because each consignee will only have to pay for the space used by his shipment.

Β What is FCL?

FCL is the second method to manage space inside a container. It stands for β€œFull container” load. In this case an entire container is booked because your shipment is big enough to fulfil it completely, or to be financially interesting to rent the whole container.

Β When is it advised to use FCL?

Usually, FCL is more economic for shipments greater than 15 CBMs. Below, it is advised to choose LCL.

Β LCL or FCL, what should I choose?

You still don’t know which method is the most appropriate? This table below will provide you arguments to help you choose:

LCL FCL
Advantages
Very flexible way to send goods The transfer duration will be shorter than in LCL
Easier than FCL to receive goods CBM prices are more advantageous than LCL
You’re only paying for the space you’re using Only you and your supplier will handle your products
Well adapted for small shipments Β 
Drawbacks
Prices per CBM are higher than FCL You will handle the decanting of the container
The groupage and unbundling process are extending the transfer duration It isn’t adapted for small shipments
Your products will undergo many handlings You must be skilled to handle the decanting

Sea fright

Β What are the transit times for sea ship travelling between Vietnam and the US?

The following table is detailing the necessary transit times to join the American ports, departing from Vietnam.

Los Angeles & Long Beach New York & New Jersey Houston Seattle & Tacoma Savannah Oakland
Hai Phong 24 days 40 days 35 days 22 days 40 days 23 days
Quy Nhon / Da Nang 24 days 40 days 35 days 22 days 40 days 23 days
Ho Chi Minh City 26 days 32 days 38 days 29 days 37 days 25 days

*For further precisions, you can email or call our consultants.

Β What is the price of sea freight between Vietnam and the USA?

*Sea freight is privileged by the US importers, because compared to the other methods, it is more economic for great shipments.

sea freight vietnam usaIt is also the reason explaining why ocean freight is the most common solution to transfer goods between Vietnam and the US. For big shipments, air freight is generally way more expensive. Thereby, ocean freight is the best solution for voluminous and regular transfers through time.

 

 

contact us

 

Special sea freight services

Β Reefer container between Vietnam and the US

container vietnam usaReefer container is one of the favourite methods of chemical and food companies. It enables to transfer perishable or sensitive goods, in a totally mastered environment. Indeed, humidity and temperature inside a container are always controlled. Between Vietnam and the US, FNM can book for you a reefer container freight.

Β Roro / Bulk / OOG freight from Vietnam to USA

Like ferries, Roro vessels are built with a retractable ramp in their back. This ramp enables to load an important quantity of goods on trailers, or all sorts of vehicles. That’s how vehicles are transferred through the world.

If you’re aiming to transfer raw materials in great quantities, bulk cargo is the solution you need. Bulk cargoes are enabling to transfer great quantities of liquid (oil, gas…) or solid bulk (cereals, minerals, tar…) in their large tanks.

OOG shipments, which stands for Out Of Gauge, is designating all sorts of goods that can’t be transported by bulk or containers, because they are too voluminous or elaborated. Usually loaded on trailers or platforms, they are transferred inside Roro vessels or on the last stage of container vessels. The inherent handling process must be realized with care.

 

 

air freight services guide

Air freight between Vietnam and USA

Overview of classic air freight and express air freight

Express air freight is differing from classic air freight because of the necessary times to transfer goods. Indeed, for an express transfer, around 4 days at most are required to transport your goods, while for classic air freight, a week is necessary. This transfer delay is explained because the customs clearance is an automated process through express companies. Through classic air freight the customs clearance is requiring a few hours or a day.

 

Express air freight (courier) Classic air freight
Advantages
The fastest freight solution ever A very flexible method
Well-adapted for small shipments More benefitial than express depending on the volume of your goods
The customs clearance is made very efficiently Faster than sea freight
Β  Rates are decreasing if your goods’ volume is high
Β  You’re only charged for the space you use
Drawbacks
The most expensive transport solution Longer than express freight
Very expensive if your goods are heavy or voluminous Ocean freight is more competitive for great volumes
Β  Lithium batteries and some other products can be refused

Β 

Β What should I choose between classic and express air freight?

If your goods are measuring less than 2 CBM and weighing less than 150 kgs, air freight is more advantageous than sea freight. Between the two air methods, express is usually employed for shipments smaller than 0.5 CBMs and 20 kgs. It is becoming more expensive for rates above.

classic-vs-express-air-freightΒ 

What is the difference between gross weight and volumetric weight?

*To consider the density of your shipment, two methods are used to sort out the chargeable weight of your goods.

These two calculation methods are gross and volumetric weight. Thereby, you can determinate two results, and the highest will be used to rate your freight. The two pictures below are enabling to understand better the two methods:

How to calculate the gross weight of airfreight shipmentshow to calculate volumetric weight

Β Classic air freight from Vietnam to USA

Β Airlines operating between Vietnam and USA

 

air freight

 

Β How much time is necessary to transfer goods between Vietnam and the US?

Departing from Vietnam, you can count on more or less 20 hours for your goods to be transferred on door-to-door.

Β How much does it cost to send a freight from Vietnam to the US?

Air freight, like any other freight solution, is requiring numerous information to be evaluated. We can send you a tailored quote, because we’re rating each demand individually. Thereby, our consultants will answer your demand within 24 hours, do not hesitate to reach them.

Express air freight between Vietnam and USA

Β Express, the ideal solution for small shipments

For important volumes, express isn’t advised because it will be too expensive. On the other hand, if your shipment is weighing around 30 kgs or less, it can be an interesting solution. It is also good to remind that it is the fastest freight solution ever. Of course, we can book express freight transfer for all size of shipment, if you require it.

Β What is the transit time to transfer goods by air from Vietnam to USA?

From your Vietnamese supplier to your address in the US, it takes at most 4 days to deliver your goods. This method is fast because the customs clearance of your goods is made inside the courier company’s facilities.

What is the price of Express delivery from Vietnam to the US?

logo company fedexlogo company dhllogo company tnt

*To quote your express shipment, a different method than gross and volumetric weight is applied. For express freight, you must consider that 1 CBM = 200 kgs. Β 

Because we’re evaluating each request individually, we don’t have a pricing list for this method. We will transmit you a detailed price once we have enough details about your request. Thanks to the business volume we’re bringing them, we have competitive prices for their services. You will not have similar rates if you’re asking them on your own.

Β Major freight airports in the US

Β Memphis International Airport

It is the busiest American airport in terms of freight/cargo handled. It’s interesting because it isn’t one of the 15th busiest airports in the US in terms of passenger traffic. In 2017, it handled 24 million of tonnes of lbs if we’re counting commercial goods and mail, which was a slight increase of 0.35% compared to the previous year.

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

It is the second biggest air freight hub in the United States, and the most important on the west coast. Located in Alaska, this airport managed 17.3 million of tonnes of lbs in cargo in 2017, which is an increase of 2.79% compared to the previous year. Also, it is not on the 15 busiest US passenger airport list.

Β Louisville International Airport

The Airport of Louisville is the third biggest US Airport in terms of freight, and isn’t one of the busiest in terms of passengers also, like Memphis and Anchorage. 13.4 million of tonnes of lbs were administered in Louisville through the year 2017. It represents a growth of 2.79% compared to the previous year.

Β Chicago O’Hare International Airport

The Chicago Airport is the fourth largest in terms of freight handled, and the third largest in the US in terms of passengers managed. In 2017, 10.3 million of tonnes of lbs of goods were handled, and almost 80 million passengers were managed. For the cargo, it is a growth of 10,84% compared to the previous year.

Β Miami International Airport

Miami international Airport is the 5th airport in the US in terms of volume of freight managed. It is also the 12th most frequented airport in the US with 44 million of visitors in 2017. Still in terms of passengers, it is the second largest airport in Florida, just after Orlando International Airport. It handled almost 8 million of tonnes of lbs of cargo during the year 2017, which shows a growth of 0.82% compared to the previous year.

Β Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport is the 6th biggest airport in the US in terms of cargo, with 7.2 million of tonnes of lbs handled in 2017. It is a growth of 3.85% of its cargo traffic compared to 2016. It is the second most important airport in the US, just after Atlanta international Airport in terms of passenger managed, with 84.5 million of passengers handled in 2017.

Β Door-to-door transfer from Vietnam to the US

Β Door-to-door method overview

Door-to-door, also called β€œAll-in” is the transport service that will give you the greatest peace of mind. Indeed, we will make the complete execution of your transfer, including the warehousing, the customs clearance, the main transport, and all the secondary trucking transfers… Until we deliver your goods. We’re responsible of each phase of your transfer, which provides you the biggest quietude possible. You can use the time saved to achieve other activities where you are fully proficient. The comfort provided with this service is greatly appreciated by our customers.

Β How door-to-door services are helpful?

Door-to-door enables to ensure the fluidity of your transfer from A to Z. Indeed, our collaborators in Vietnam and in the US will cooperate to avoid all delays or added costs due to communication mistakes between all the entities responsible for your freight. Hence, phases like the customs clearance will totally be under control, thanks to the proficiency of our collaborators with the US and Vietnamese customs.

door to door

 

Β Customs clearance of Vietnamese goods in the US

Β How much will cost the customs clearance?

Before all import procedures, you must be able to precisely estimate the freight and customs cost in the US. USA and Vietnam, as all the other members of the World Trade Organization, are using the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. Thanks to this system, articles that you need to buy have the same ID code worldwide. This ID, also called the β€œHS Code” is composed of 6 numbers.

How to sort out the import taxes on Vietnamese goods with the HS code?

For instance, pineapple is designated with the HS code 08043010, the picture below is describing its signification:

HS CODE

If you don’t know what the HS code of your goods is, the website of the US International Trade Commission is providing a great tool to determine it. Let’s take the example of a pineapple again. If you’re typing pineapple in the search bar, you will find the corresponding HS Code:

HS code determination in the US

You can also determine the import taxes on the same page. Because Vietnam doesn’t have any FTA with the US yet, taxes for bulk pineapples produced in Vietnam are as high as 0.51 cents per kg. For pineapple, import taxes are specific tariffs, because they are based on the quantity you’re importing, and not on the total value of your import.

import taxes on pineapple in the US

For all other goods, do the same process, determine the HS Code on the USITC website, and read the applicable rates as described.

Β VAT, GST Β and sales tax in the US

There are no GST or VAT in the US. Instead, each state has its own Sales tax, which means it is varying from a state to another.

The sales tax is only perceived by the seller when he sells his goods. Contrary to the VAT and GST the sales tax is only imposed on retail, which means that you will not have to pay it to customs for an import of Vietnamese goods. Also, the purchase of goods for subsequent transformation or for reselling is exempted of sales tax. What you have to understand is that only the final consumer will have to pay this tax, which is applied depending on the type of goods and the state of purchase. All intermediaries aren’t dutiable for this tax.

Also, a broad number of necessary products like machineries for agriculture, medicine… are generally exempted of sales tax in most of the states.

The map below is showing the average sales tax rates for each state:

map of the sales tax in the US

You can determine precisely which rates are imposed on the goods your aiming to sell on the chapter β€œBy jurisdiction” of the Wikipedia page, Sales taxes in the US.

Β The excise tax in the US

The Excise tax in the US is mostly levied on 5 categories of products; Highways (fuels), Tobacco, aviation (flight tickets), alcohol and health:

Highway taxes – Taxes on gasoline 18.4 c/gal and on diesel 24.4 c/gal are composing more than 90% of this category, other goods imposed are other fuels, trucks, trailers and tires.

Tobacco – Depending on the product, the tax is calculated per 1000 cigars or cigarettes or per pound. For cigarettes, the tax equals 1$ per pack of cigarettes.

Alcohol – Different rates are applied depending on the type of alcoholic beverage. Usually tax rates are of 13.50$/proof gal. Wine rates are varying between 1.07$/gal for wines with 14% or less of alcohol, to 3.40$/gal for sparkling wines. Generally, beer is taxed at 0.58$/gal.

Aviation – The majority of the aviation taxes are coming from passenger airfares. It is great to know for importers that no excise taxes are applied on international cargoes, which means that air freight between Vietnam and the US is not subject to this kind of taxes.

Health – Was aiming to fund the Affordable Care Act, or β€œObamacare”. But it doesn’t concern international trades.

Β How to be exempted of import taxes in the US?

In the US, depending on the product type and the country of importation, you can benefit from a total or partial exemption of import taxes. It is concerning:

  • Most important and used products like food products
  • The countries of the Generalized System of Preference (GSP), like Vietnam.
  • All countries having a FTA with the United States, you can consult the list on the USTR website.

Β The Generalized System of Preference (GSP)

The United States, like all the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), are encouraging the developing countries in their social and economic development. It comes out with the GSP, which is a decrease or elimination of tariffs on goods produced in developing countries.

Most products made in Vietnam can benefit of the GSP, but certain categories of products which are too competitive, like textiles, cannot benefit from this global policy.

The condition for you to benefit of the GSP, is to provide a Certificate of Origin of your goods to the USCBP. Indeed, no other documents is proving officially that your goods where made in Vietnam.

Β Is FNM Vietnam charging the customs representation?

No, our customs commissioner services will not be charged to you. To prove it, you will receive all the documents produced by the US Customs, during the customs clearance of your goods. Only the import taxes and other taxes will be obviously at your charge.

Β How is the customs clearance going in the US?

Β The arrival and the customs clearance of your goods, step by step

Here are the steps you will follow to import goods into the US:

  • First, you should do the Arrangement with the CBP at the port or airport of entry. This arrangement must be done before your goods arrive in the US territory. You will have to pay duties and also send all the documents (possibly electronically) at this office.
  • After the arrangement, you will have to declare your goods once they enter in the port or airport. You will have to declare the purpose, for consumption, re-export…
  • Once the cargo arrived, you or the customs broker have to send the Cargo release to the CBP within 15 days. Ideally, do it in the following days of the arrival to avoid all added storage fees. It will liberate the goods from custody, where your shipment is stored before being released, and enable you to begin the US part of your freight.
  • Within 10 days from the cargo release from custody, send to the CBP office the CBP Form 7501 (entry summary). This document is detailing the category, value and origin of the goods you imported. Also, you should pay the duties asked to customs in the same time limit. You will first pay an estimation of the duties, as described in the first step. After the liquidation process, which means that the exact amount of duties will be determined, you will have to pay the remaining amount, or you will be refund if you paid too much the first time.

Also, please note that your goods will still remain in custody until you completed all these steps. It means that you must verify every time that the documentation is correctly provided, and that there are no missing documents.

Β Customs contacts

Vietnam Customs

Official Name:Β General Department of Vietnam Customs

Website: Vietnamese Customs

 

US Customs

logo of the US customs

Official Name:Β US Customs and Border Protection

Website:Β US Customs

What are the necessary freight documents to transfer my goods in the US?

Β Bill of lading or Airway bill

The Bill of Lading is equivalent to a passport and a boarding card for your shipment. Depending on the method used to transfer your goods, it can be an Airway Bill (for Air Freight) or a Bill of Lading (for Ocean Freight). It is also a document testifying of the legality of the transfer, because it is emitted once the carrier received payment for its services. This document is important for all international transfer of commercial goods.

The following pictures are detailing what information are provided on a Bill of Lading:

explanation of the information on a Bill of Ladingexample of a Bill of Lading

Β The original invoice

It will be used by the USCBP to ensure that the goods received are corresponding to the goods you declared.

Β The packing list

The packing list is summing up all the items included in your shipment. You should attach the MSDS data sheet and the international code, if you’re importing hazardous or chemical products in the US.

Β Certificate of Origin

This document is very important if you’re wishing that your import can be treated under the GSP regime. Indeed, it is the only legal proof that your goods were made in Vietnam. Like the Bill of Lading, the Certificate of Origin is a very important document for all international import. The document must be signed by the manufacturer and delivered by a government agency of Vietnam.

Here is what it looks like (for China here):

Chinese Certificate of Origin

Β Forbidden or restricted products in the US

Β Products needing an import license

In the US a lot of goods’ categories such as food products, drugs, plant, animal, trademarked articles such as name-brand shoes, handbags, sportswear apparel, toys, etc. are requiring an import license delivered by the concerned authority to enter the US territory. All the goods requiring an import license areΒ  compiled in the Chapter 39 of the Importing in the United States guide.

Β Products forbidden or restricted to import in the US

These following articles are requiring an import license or are simply forbidden to enter in the US:

Absinthe (subject to permit delivered by the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau)

Automobiles (subject to approbation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation)

Cultural Artifacts and Cultural Property (subject to an export permit from the country of origin)

Defense Articles or Items with Military or Proliferation Applications (cannot be permanently imported, contact the Bureau of Industry and Security or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls to learn more)

Firearms (heavily restricted, importations are requiring approval from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls)

Dog and Cat Fur (forbidden)

Drug Paraphernalia (forbidden)

Fish and Wildlife (some are forbidden, others require permits from the Fish & Wildlife Service)

Biologicals (subject to permit delivered by the Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Game and Hunting Trophies (some are forbidden, others require permits from the Fish & Wildlife Service and the CBP)

Gold (may be subject to regulation of the Office of Foreign Assets Control)

Merchandise from Embargoed Countries (forbidden)

Β FTA between Vietnam and the US

The US leaving the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) during the negotiation phase in 2017, there is no Free Trade Agreement (FTA) existing between the two countries.

Β Trade relations between the US and Vietnam

Despite the Vietnam War and the following embargo period of the US on Vietnam, the two countries have nowadays great relationship. They both have great communities of Vietnamese and Americans in their respective countries, and their diplomatic relations are at an all-time high. Economically, USA is the second trading partner of Vietnam, after China. Also, since the US trade war on China, a lot of American importers are sourcing a bigger part of their imports in Vietnam.

According to the latest statistics of the World Bank (2017), the US is the second export partner and the 5th import partner of Vietnam. On the other hand, Vietnam is the 31st export partner and the 12th import partner of the US. During this year good flows from Vietnam to the US had a value of 48.4 billion USD, while in the opposite way it was of 8 billion USD. The actual commercial balance is largely benefiting to Vietnam.

The US are importing broadcasting equipment, furniture, integrated circuits, knit sweaters, textile footwear, leather footwear, computers, knit women’s suits and non-knit women’s suits from Vietnam.

On the other way, the US are exporting integrated circuits, aluminium bars, raw cotton, soybeans, nuts and starch residue to Vietnam.

Β What further services can provide FNM Vietnam?

Β Our warehousing services

Β Warehousing in Vietnam

Our warehouses near the ports of HCMC, Haiphong and Quy Nhon, can welcome your shipment during all the time required, before sending it to the US, or delivering it in Vietnam. Our facilities are constantly watched by CCTVs and security staff. Each move is taped inside and outside our warehouses, for a great safety.

Β Warehousing in the US

We can also store your goods in the US at competitive prices thanks to our local network there. Our storage services are secured and financially advantageous on both continents.

Β Our packing and unpacking services

Β Overview

You want to realize the packing of your goods by yourself? We’re giving you further tips and tricks in the following lines. Be aware that this important phase is requiring an extra care to be realized. Indeed, your products packaging is the greatest protection against all environmental constraints applied on your products. We’re possessing very skilled packing teams to pack your goods the best way.

Β Packing material

Β Carton boxes

The thickest and unbending your carton is, the better he will protect your goods against all impacts. Carton is a material used since a long time in the industry, but it is still practical and great for conditioning. No matter how big or shaped are your products, our packing teams will only use excellent cartons to condition them.

Β Your goods’ palletization

Pallets enables your goods to be easily moved with mechanical handling methods. Thereby, it enables a safer handling of your goods, in order to place them inside a container. We’re possessing all the pallet dimensions possible inside our warehouses, to put your goods on pallets if your supplier cannot achieve this step.

Β Wooden crates

Voluminous objects can be put inside wooden crates to ease their transport. Depending on the instructions they can be placed inside a crate or a box. Indeed, if they need to be oriented in a precise direction during their transport, it is better to place them in a crate. On the other hand, if they can be displayed without a particular direction, the crate is better used. Our operation teams can build appropriated crates without regarding the dimensions of your goods.

Others: Bubble wrap, tape, wrapping paper…

The wrapping paper, the bubble wrap and all other protection materials are enabling a soft contact between your goods and the carton or box. Our packing teams are systematically using them to isolate your goods.

Why packing is important for the insurance?

The packing is very important because in any case of damage inflicted to your goods during their transport, the insurance company covering them can refuse to reimburse you if the packing wasn’t professionally made. To keep calm during the transfer of your goods, take services from our operation teams to pack your goods.

Β Insure your goods during the freight

How much costs a freight insurance?

The commercial value of your products serves as a base to calculate the price of your insurance contract. This explains why it is better to not underestimate the value of your goods, because you will not be fully reimbursed in case of any incident. Naturally, you will increase in vain the value of your insurance contracts if you’re declaring a too much important value of your goods.

The price that the insurance will provide you can be determined this way: freight value + product value * 2-3%.

The rate is determined depending on the category of your goods.

The cargo insurance

 

 

Β Supplier management in Vietnam

Quality control in Vietnam

quality control It is very important for us to establish a very good contact with your supplier from the beginning, to know the state of your products and their packing. We cannot allow a too fragile or incorrectly packed shipment to be internationally transferred. Thereby, we will avoid a great part of the incidents possible.

Β Relationship with your supplier

No matter which incoterm is ruling your transfer, even for a FOB (Free on Board), the type, the HS Code, the dimensions and the packing of your goods, will always be verified. Our collaborators will ensure an excellent communication with your supplier, thanks to their mastering of Vietnamese, French and English. The pickup the documentation and the packing of your goods will be greatly mastered. Your freight will be fluid from the start to the finish.Β 

Β 3PL services for e-commerce in Vietnam

Β Order fulfilment / Packing and Labelling

The ecommerce supply chain is very complex to handle, mostly if you are not located in the on the country of sourcing. Our packing, labelling and fulfilment services in Vietnam will enable us to be your extension in the country. Thereby we will handle the customer relation and your inventory for you.

Β Delivery at house in Vietnam and in the US

No matter where you’re located in the US, we can deliver your goods to you thanks to our international network of messengers. They are guaranteeing the quality of our door-to-door services.

Β Send personal effects from Vietnam

Β Excess luggage

If you’re coming back home after a trip in Vietnam, taking with too much souvenirs and things than at arrival, it is possible that the airline doesn’t accept all your goods onboard. Thanks to our express transport services, we can deliver your excess luggage to you, in the US in the best time.

Β Moving services between the US and Vietnam

We are able to handle the packing, the transfer, the customs clearance and the warehousing of your goods if necessary, between Vietnam and the US. Our moving services are efficient, and tailored to your needs.

 

DocShipper | Your dedicated freight forwarder in Vietnam !

 

Due to our attractive pricing, many customers trust our services and we thanks them. Stop overpaying the services and save money with our tailored package matching will all type of shipment, from small volume to full container, let us find the best and cost-effective solution.

Communication is important, which is why we strive to discuss in the most suitable way for you!