Operation Guide for Exporting Goods to Vietnam
At a time when international trade is becoming increasingly frequent, Vietnam has become a popular destination for many Chinese companies to expand their overseas business with its booming economy and growing market demand. To export goods to Vietnam, you need to follow a series of rigorous and meticulous processes to ensure that the goods are successfully cleared and delivered to customers. The following is a detailed introduction to the operation guide for exporting goods to Vietnam.
Preliminary preparations
Understand the Vietnamese market and policies and regulations
In-depth research on the needs of the Vietnamese market to determine whether your products meet the preferences of local consumers and corporate needs. At the same time, pay close attention to Vietnam’s import and export policies, tariff rates, product standards and certification requirements. For example, Vietnam implements an import license system for some products, such as food, medicine, and cosmetics. Before export, it is necessary to ensure that the products meet the relevant standards and obtain corresponding licenses.
Find a reliable partner
Whether it is a local importer, agent, logistics and transportation company, or customs broker in Vietnam, the reliability of the partner is crucial. You can find reputable and experienced partners by participating in trade fairs, industry forums, and using B2B platforms or business consulting agencies.
Handle relevant qualifications and certifications
Exporting companies must have legal import and export rights and complete relevant filing and registration procedures. In addition, depending on the characteristics of the product, it may be necessary to apply for certificates of origin (FORM E can enjoy tariff preferences under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement), quality inspection reports, and specific product certifications (such as Vietnam MIC certification for electronic products).
Cargo preparation and packaging
Cargo inspection and quality control
Strictly follow the contract agreement and Vietnamese quality standards to conduct a comprehensive inspection of export goods to ensure that the quality of the goods meets the standards, the specifications are correct, and the quantity is accurate, so as to avoid returns, exchanges or penalties due to quality problems.
Appropriate packaging and labeling
According to the nature, shape, weight, etc. of the goods, select appropriate packaging materials and methods, and take protective measures such as shockproof, moisture-proof, and rust-proof to ensure the safety of the goods during transportation. At the same time, the necessary information such as the name, quantity, weight, origin, and destination of the goods should be clearly marked on the outer packaging. If the product is directly for Vietnamese consumers, the label must contain the ingredients, instructions for use, production date, etc. in Vietnamese.
Transportation mode selection
Sea transportation
If the quantity of goods is large and the transportation time requirement is relatively low, sea transportation is a more economical choice. Many Chinese ports such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, etc. have frequent scheduled ships to major ports such as Haiphong and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. It is necessary to book space in advance and reserve enough transportation time. Generally, the shipping time from major Chinese ports to Vietnamese ports is 3-7 days.
Land transportation
Land transportation has the advantages of high flexibility and short transportation time. It is suitable for cargo transportation in Guangxi, Yunnan and other regions bordering Vietnam, as well as cargo with high timeliness requirements. The main ports are Guangxi Pingxiang Friendship Pass, Dongxing Port, Yunnan Hekou Port, etc. When choosing land transportation, pay attention to the customs clearance time, policy regulations and qualifications of the transport vehicles at the port.
Air transportation
For urgent, high-value or light-weight and small-volume goods, air transportation can ensure fast delivery. There are many routes between international airports in major cities in China and airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other cities in Vietnam. However, the cost of air transportation is relatively high, and the value of the goods and the transportation timeliness requirements need to be considered comprehensively.
Customs declaration and customs clearance
Export customs declaration
Prepare customs declaration documents: usually including commercial invoice, packing list, contract, customs declaration letter, export goods declaration form, etc. The commercial invoice should specify the information of the buyer and seller, description of the goods, price, quantity, etc.; the packing list needs to record the specific situation of the goods in each package; the contract clearly defines the rights and obligations of both parties and the terms of trade.
Declare to the customs: After the goods arrive at the customs supervision area and 24 hours before loading, submit the prepared customs declaration documents to the customs for declaration. Declare the goods information truthfully to avoid concealment, misreporting, etc., otherwise you may face risks such as fines and goods seizure.
Customs inspection and release: Customs may inspect the goods to check whether the declared information is consistent with the actual goods. After the inspection is passed, the customs will release it, and the goods can be shipped or loaded on the truck.
Vietnam import customs clearance
Consignee registration: Vietnamese consignees need to register with the local customs in advance.
Submit customs clearance documents: including bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin (FORM E, etc.), quality inspection certificate (if required), etc. The information of customs clearance documents should be consistent with the export customs declaration documents to ensure smooth customs clearance.
Pay taxes and fees: Vietnam Customs calculates tariffs, value-added tax and other taxes and fees based on the HS code and declared value of the goods, and the consignee or its agent must pay them in time.
Customs inspection and release: Customs may conduct random inspections on the goods. After the inspection is correct and the taxes and fees are paid, the goods will be released and the consignee can arrange to pick up the goods.
Notes
Regulatory compliance
Strictly abide by the laws and regulations of China and Vietnam, including import and export policies, tax policies, product quality and safety standards, etc. Pay attention to policy changes in a timely manner and adjust export business strategies to avoid affecting the export of goods due to policy adjustments.
Document accuracy
Ensure that the information of all customs declaration and customs clearance documents is true, accurate, complete and consistent with each other to avoid customs clearance delays or additional costs due to document errors. It is recommended to carefully review the documents before submitting them, or seek assistance from a professional customs broker.
Logistics Tracking
Choose a reliable logistics partner and use the logistics tracking system to grasp the status of cargo transportation in real time, and promptly handle problems that arise during transportation, such as delays and damage, to ensure that the cargo arrives at the destination on time and safely.