Moving to Vietnam from the USA

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Customs Regulations for Vietnam

If you are planning an international move to Vietnam, you will need certain documentation to get into the country legally. Here are the documents you are required to bring with you upon entry:

Original passport – name must be same as name on packages and documents
Inventory – two detailed copies, in English (“Packed By Owner” PBO documents not accepted)
Notation of brand, model and serial number for electronic items
Loading sheet displaying item numbers in each liftvan
Work permit displaying that you or your organization is authorized to set up company in Vietnam – required for shipment to be cleared
Copy of airport customs declaration retained by your last entry
Letter authorizing your destination agent to handle customs clearance

When shipping your belongings internationally to Vietnam, you’ll need to follow the specific regulations for customs clearance.

You must be in Vietnam for customs clearance for both air and sea shipments.
You must have your passport for shipments to clear customs.
You are allowed only one air and one surface shipment.
Customs inspects every shipment.
All items in shipment must be owned by you – no “new” items allowed.

Moving internationally to any country means that you’ll have to pay duties on some of your items. These dutiable items vary from country to country.

Luxury items: television sets, radios, VCRs, computers, stereo systems, automobiles, motorcycles – heavily taxed
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products – must be on inventory with specific details, heavily taxed (less than two cases of alcohol advised)
Books, CDs, videos, discs, calendars and document files – inspected by Cultural Department, must be on inventory list (recommended as accompanied baggage)
Medicine – prescription required
Electronic items – must be on inventory detailing brand, model and serial number
Antiques should be photographed at origin and declared to customs upon arrival
Unauthorized use of items listed above can result in confiscation or heavy fines

In some countries, certain items are completely prohibited. Here are some things you cannot bring into Vietnam under any circumstances:

Firearms and ammunition
Narcotics
Pornography and cultural or politically sensitive material
Radio transmitters
Satellite dishes
Political or historical books about Vietnam

*If any of the above items are imported into the country, the Vietnamese Government will confiscate them immediately.

When importing your vehicle into Vietnam, there are some important rules to keep in mind.

All automobiles must be left-hand drive.
All automobiles must have less than 100km driven.
All automobiles are subject to 150 percent duty (value assessed by customs officials). Motor vehicles for diplomatic or international organizations can be imported duty-free under terms of certain foreign investment licenses.
Motorcycles are strictly limited to 125cc engine size or smaller.
All automobiles require an import permit, a certificate of registration and the appropriate car documentation.

What about bringing your furry friend to Vietnam for the move? Sometimes, moving your pets can get complicated, so remember these Vietnamese customs regulations:

Pets are duty-free.
You must provide the following documents for your animal to clear customs:
- Health certificate – issued by veterinarian within seven days of arrival
- Rabies vaccination papers
- Sanitary Certificate
- Letter authorizing destination agent to handle customs clearance
- Document specifying type of pet, name, breed, sex, color, size, weight and age of animal

*There are currently no kennels available for domestic pets in Vietnam, so plan your animal’s arrival accordingly.

In Vietnam, value-added taxes (VATs) range from zero percent to 20 percent depending on the type of item. For example, the average rate for most goods is around 10 percent VAT. As for import duties, the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) price of imported goods has a duty of anywhere between zero percent and 150 percent levied on it. Vietnam uses special rates for most-favored nations (MFN) and ASEAN member nations, as well as Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand. All other countries are subject to the standard rates.

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 315-4170

How International Sea & Air can help for moving to Vietnam

First, one of our trained moving specialists will provide a personal consultation, thoroughly outlining your moving options based on specific criteria, such as:

Your moving timeline. When do you need to be in Vietnam?
Your real estate plans.Will you be renting or buying?
Your family/household size. Will you be moving alone or with your family? For business or personal reasons?
Cubic feet estimate. How large is your shipment?

What Will Moving to Vietnam Cost?

For an accurate estimate of your shipment size, you should schedule a home survey as early as possible for your move to Vietnam. Our moving specialists will assess your belongings to give you the best potential estimate to expedite your relocation. The cost of moving to Vietnam will vary considerably based on the cubic footage of your belongings and your proposed destination arrival time.

Don’t forget to ask about our overseas packing and custom crating services, too!

About Vietnam

Officially called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vietnam is located on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It happens to be the continent’s eighth most-populous country and the world’s thirteenth most-populous.

Made up of beautiful scenery and a rich cultural foundation, Vietnam enjoys a wide range of climate as a result of its longitudinal range. The nation features a booming economy, including exports such as agricultural products, tea and rubber.

Moving to Vietnam from the U.S.

If you are moving to Vietnam from the United States, there is plenty to consider before you head to Southeast Asia. With so much to prepare for, the last thing you want to worry about is the logistics of your complicated move.

International Sea & Air Shipping will make your transition to Vietnam as seamless as possible by providing top-notch shipping services for all of your household goods and much more!

You can also check out for some of the neighboring countries of Vietnam –