Moving to Vietnam

Moving to Vietnam Custom clearance documents and information

 

Customs Documents Required for Moving to Vietnam: Scan of passport with all stamps displayed, Detailed inventory / commercial invoice in English, Vietnam entry visa (valid 3+ months) Original Vietnam arrival-departure card, Letter of employment, Hanoi only labor contract, Copy of business licence, Vietnam employer's company license copy, Work permit, Application letter.

NOTE: Personal computers are charged import duty at 15%, Personal printers are charged duty at 10%.

Restricted/Dutiable Items:  Firearms & ammunition, Food, Plants, Tobacco products.

Prohibited Items: Firearms, Illegal Drugs / psychotropic drugs, Ivory, Toxic materials. 

Wondering how much it costs to move to Vietnam? Calculate the price of moving here

These documents are mandatory and you will be required to upload these documents during the Check-In process (see Check-In). Additional documents and/or materials may be required for a duty & tax free entry of your personal goods.


Country Guide: Vietnam

Due to the current coronavirus/COVID-19 situation and restrictions in various countries, the below information may not be accurate. This pandemic is a fluid situation. Check with authorities for local laws and restrictions concerning movements.

Find a foreign embassy in Vietnam

Find Vietnam's embassies in other countries

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  • Copy of passport (identification pages only) with entry stamp*
  • Packing list in English
  • Bill of lading (telex release) / air waybill (AWB)
  • Vietnam entry visa (valid at least 3 or more months) / temporary residence card*
  • Original Vietnam arrival-departure card  (3 copies shipment)**
  • Letter of employment
  • Copy of labor contract (Hanoi only)
  • Copy of business license
  • Vietnam employer’s company license copy
  • Copy of work permit (for all sea / air shipments over 300 kgs gross)*
  • Application letter
  • Owner of the goods’ address in Vietnam

 

Specific Information

  • All air shipments are physically inspected by Customs at the air terminal. 
    • The average time is approximately 1-2 days.
  • Sea shipments will normally undergo physical Customs inspection. 
    • The average time for Customs clearance is 2-3 days for full container load (FCL) shipments and 3-5 days for less container load (LCL) shipments.
  • Sea or air shipments of diplomatic status are exempt from Customs inspections (diplomats).
  • All shipments undergo cultural inspections. 
    • This process takes approximately 3-4 days. 
    • Inspection may include, but is not limited to, books, art works, DVDs, CDs, antiques.
  • All documents should be signed and stamped by the owners of the goods’ registered local employer in Vietnam.
  • Antiques shipped into Vietnam should be clearly photographed and well documented.
    • Antiques should be inspected and registered upon entry (takes an additional 2 - 3 days).
    • Details should be clearly noted on packing list and carton.
  • 3 copies of each document are required for each shipment. 
    • If there are multiple shipments, a separate set of documents (of 3) are required.
  • Ho Chi Minh:
    • *Certified true copies required, this can be obtained by bringing the original document to the People’s Committee Office of Ho Chi Minh City
    • **Documents must be signed and stamped (company seal) by the owner of the goods’ registered local employer in Vietnam.
  • Hanoi:
    • Customs requires labor contract copy in additional to above documents.
  • All documents must be signed and stamped (company seal) by the owner of the goods’ registered local employer in Vietnam.
    • Certified true copies are only required for passport and entry visa / temporary residence card.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • Original passport
  • Residency card
  • Proof of ownership
  • Original purchase invoice

 

Specific Information

  • Owners of the goods cannot bring / import any type of vehicle into Vietnam unless they are working for an UN organization or an Embassy / Consulate, which are under diplomatic status

Pets

Documents Required

  • Owner of the goods’ passport
  • Vaccination record
  • Owner of the goods’ entry visa (valid at least 3+ months)
  • International health certificate
  • Import permit
  • Flight arrival details
  • Original Vietnam arrival - departure card (3 copies per shipment) (pets traveling as cargo)
  • Vietnam employer’s company license copy (pets traveling as cargo)
  • Application letter and Power of Attorney (pets traveling as cargo)
  • Airway bill (pets traveling as cargo)

 

Specific Information

  • The import permit is required by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
  • Quarantine for pets traveling as cargo is not required.
  • Pets should arrive on a weekday (M - F) before 3:30 p.m.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Duty shall be payable on the following types of liquor at the rate expressed as a percentage of the value of the liquor:
    • Liquor with  alcohol by volume of less than 30% measured at 20°C:
      • 125-150%
    • Liquor with  alcohol by volume of more than 30% measured at 20°C:
      • 125-150%
    • Wine (10-20 bottles duty free):
      • 125-150%
  • Duty shall be payable on tobacco at the following rates:
    • >100 cigars:           150%    prepared tobacco (> 50 grams):                 45%
    • >400 cigarettes:      150%    all other manufactured tobacco products:      45%
  • Personal computers are charged import duty at 15%. 
  • Personal printers are charged duty at 10%.
  • Non-perishable food items and items in cans and other durable packaging can be imported in small amounts.

Prohibited Items

  • Weapons
  • Ammunition
  • Explosives
  • Military equipment
  • Radio transmitters
  • Satellite dishes
  • Poisonous chemicals
  • Cultural products
  • Articles of anti-government nature
  • Fireworks
  • Toys and games which affect public moral education and security
  • Pornographic or subversive materials
  • Motorbikes

Cultural and Other Information

CIA World Factbook Entry for Vietnam

Wikipedia Entry for Vietnam

 

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