Vietnam Customs Documents — The Complete Guide
Vietnam Import-Export Specialists
Getting your customs documents right is the difference between smooth clearance and costly delays. Whether you’re importing into Vietnam or exporting from Vietnam, this guide covers every document you might need — what it is, when it’s required, and how to get it right.
Core Customs Documents for Vietnam Shipments
Commercial Invoice
Required for every shipment. Must state: seller/buyer, description of goods, HS code, quantity, unit price, total value, Incoterms, and country of origin.
Packing List
Itemized list of all packages — dimensions, gross/net weight, number of pieces per carton. Must match commercial invoice exactly.
Certificate of Origin
Proves where goods were made. Required for preferential duty rates (ACFTA Form E, EVFTA EUR.1). Form B for standard MFN rates.
Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
Contract between shipper and carrier. Required for customs filing and release of goods at destination port.
Export/Import Declaration
Filed electronically in Vietnam via VNACCS system. Required for all commercial shipments. Prepared by your freight forwarder.
Import Licenses
Required for controlled goods: medical devices (MOH), chemicals (MOIT), food products (MARD), specialized electronics (MOCST). Apply before shipment.
Core Documents Required for All Vietnam Shipments
These documents are required for virtually every commercial import or export:
1. Commercial Invoice
What it is: The seller’s bill to the buyer — the primary document for customs valuation.
Common mistakes: Vague descriptions (“general goods”), missing HS codes, incorrect Incoterms — all cause customs delays.
- Full seller and buyer name, address, and contact info
- Invoice date and number
- HS code(s) for each line item
- Detailed commodity description
- Country of origin
- Quantity, unit of measure, unit price, total value
- Currency
- Incoterms (FOB, CIF, EXW, etc.)
2. Packing List
What it is: Itemized breakdown of how goods are packed.
Tip: The packing list must exactly match the commercial invoice quantities. Discrepancies = customs exam.
- Number and type of packages (cartons, pallets, crates)
- Gross weight and net weight per package and total
- Dimensions (L×W×H) per package
- Total CBM
- Contents description per package (line up with invoice)
- Marks and numbers on packages
3. Bill of Lading (Ocean) / Airway Bill (Air)
What it is: The carrier’s receipt for the cargo and the contract of carriage.
Vietnam import requirement: Present OBL (or telex release instructions) to customs agent before clearance can be completed.
- Original Bill of Lading (OBL): Negotiable document; importer needs original (or telex release) to take delivery
- Sea Waybill: Non-negotiable; importer identified on document can take delivery without original
- Telex Release / Surrender: Carrier releases without original B/L; common for trusted buyers
- Airway Bill (AWB): Air freight equivalent; always non-negotiable (consignee named directly)
Certificate of Origin (C/O)
What it is: Certifies where goods were manufactured — determines FTA duty eligibility.
C/O Types for Vietnam
Rules of Origin: To qualify for FTA rates, goods must genuinely originate in Vietnam (typically ≥40% Vietnamese content or substantial transformation). Vietnam customs and destination customs increasingly audit C/O accuracy.
- Form: FTA — Issuing Body
- Form A: GSP (Developing Country Preferences) — MOIT / VCCI
- Form B: General-purpose non-preferential — MOIT / VCCI
- Form D: ASEAN ATIGA (intra-ASEAN trade) — MOIT / VCCI
- Form E: ASEAN-China FTA (ACFTA) — MOIT (or CCPIT for China origin)
- Form AK: ASEAN-Korea FTA — MOIT
- Form AJ: ASEAN-Japan (AJCEP) — MOIT
- Form VC: Vietnam-Chile FTA — MOIT
Import-Specific Documents
Import License / Permit
Required for controlled commodities. See our Vietnam Import Customs Clearance page for full list.
Quality/Technical Standards Certificate
- Many goods need certification from Vietnam’s National Standards authority (TCVN) before clearance
- Particularly relevant for: electronics, machinery, helmets, toys, construction materials
Phytosanitary Certificate
- Required for plants, plant products, wood (untreated), seeds
- Issued by exporting country’s agricultural authority
- Vietnam’s Plant Protection Department (PPD) may require on import
Veterinary Certificate / Health Certificate
- Required for meat, seafood, dairy, and animal products
- Issued by exporting country’s government veterinary authority
Documents by Shipment Type
Standard Export Documents (Vietnam → USA/Europe):
- Commercial Invoice — seller details, HS code, value, Incoterms
- Packing List — weights, dims, carton count
- Certificate of Origin Form B (standard MFN) or Form E (ACFTA) or EUR.1 (EVFTA)
- Export Customs Declaration (VNACCS) — filed by FreightVietnam
- Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
- Phytosanitary Certificate (if wood packaging)
Standard Import Documents (China/USA → Vietnam):
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
- Certificate of Origin (Form E for ACFTA from China)
- Import Customs Declaration (VNACCS) — filed by FreightVietnam
- Import License (if controlled goods)
- Certificate of Quality/Conformity (if required by STAMEQ)
Additional Documents for Controlled/Licensed Goods:
- Medical Devices: MOH Import License + Declaration of Conformity
- Industrial Chemicals: MOIT Import License + Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Food Products: MARD Certificate + Food Safety Announcement
- Electronics: MOCST Type Approval (if radio/telecom)
- Cosmetics: MOH Circulation Registration
Apply for import licenses 2–8 weeks before shipment. FreightVietnam can advise on specific requirements for your product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Customs may place your shipment on hold (Yellow channel) or require additional documentation. This delays release and can trigger storage fees at the port.
Form B (general) is issued by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). Form E (for ACFTA from China) is issued by Chinese authorities. EUR.1 (EVFTA for EU-bound) is issued by VCCI.
We prepare and file all freight documentation — export/import declarations, B/L, and COO filing guidance. Commercial invoices and packing lists must be provided by the shipper/seller.
Vietnam Automated Cargo Customs Clearance System — the electronic system used to file all export and import customs declarations in Vietnam. FreightVietnam files all declarations through VNACCS.
Need Help with Vietnam Customs Documentation?
Our customs experts review your documents before submission and flag any issues that could delay clearance.