Shipping from Vietnam to USA
Ocean and air freight from Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong to all US ports. No Section 301 tariffs โ Vietnam is one of the most cost-effective sourcing alternatives to China.
Why Suaid Global โ Vietnam to USA
No Section 301 Tariffs
Unlike Chinese-origin goods, Vietnamese goods are not subject to Section 301 tariffs, making Vietnam a highly competitive sourcing alternative for US importers managing China tariff exposure.
China+1 Strategy Support
We help US importers diversify their supply chain from China to Vietnam with seamless freight transitions, supplier onboarding support, and compliance for Vietnamese-origin goods.
Cai Mep Deep-Water Access
Cai Mep International Terminal is one of Southeast Asia's deepest-draft ports, capable of handling ultra-large vessels and offering direct transpacific services to LA/Long Beach.
Shipping Modes & Transit Times
Ocean FCL
28โ38 days
Ideal For: Footwear, apparel, furniture, electronics, and bulk manufactured goods
Ocean LCL
35โ45 days
Ideal For: Smaller commercial shipments, samples, and consolidated cargo
Air Freight
5โ8 days
Ideal For: High-value electronics, garments for fast fashion, and urgent orders
Main Ports on This Route
๐ป๐ณ Origin Ports
- Cat Lai Port (Ho Chi Minh City)
- Cai Mep International Terminal
- Hai Phong Port (North Vietnam)
๐บ๐ธ Destination Ports
- Port of Los Angeles
- Port of Long Beach
- Port of Seattle
Common Cargo on This Lane
Customs & Documentation Requirements
Shipments from Vietnam to the USA require an ISF (Importer Security Filing) 24 hours before departure. Required documents include: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and CBP Form 7501 for formal entries. Textiles and apparel require a textile declaration stating origin and fiber content. CBP enforces country-of-origin rules strictly for Vietnam to ensure goods are not Chinese goods being transshipped through Vietnam. Wooden products must comply with the LACEY Act (documentation of wood species and source country). Seafood requires FDA Prior Notice and NOAA documentation. ISPM 15 applies to wooden packaging.
Current Tariff Information
Vietnamese goods are assessed at US MFN (Most Favored Nation) tariff rates under WTO schedules. There is no free trade agreement between the USA and Vietnam (CPTPP does not include the USA). Critically, Vietnamese-origin goods are NOT subject to Section 301 tariffs (which apply only to Chinese-origin goods). MFN rates for Vietnamese goods: footwear 8โ37.5%, apparel 10โ32%, furniture 0โ8%, electronics generally 0%, seafood 0โ7.5%. Anti-dumping duties apply to certain products including some shrimp, catfish, steel products, and solar cells. CBP actively investigates transshipment of Chinese goods through Vietnam.
Tariff rates are subject to change. The information above is for general guidance only. Contact our customs team for a precise duty calculation for your specific HTS code and shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does shipping from Vietnam to the USA take?
Ocean freight from Vietnam to the USA takes 28โ38 days. From Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai/Cai Mep) to Los Angeles takes approximately 28โ32 days on direct trans-Pacific services. From Hai Phong (North Vietnam) to LA takes 30โ36 days. Air freight from Vietnam to US cities takes 5โ8 days door-to-door.
Are Vietnamese goods subject to Section 301 tariffs?
No. Section 301 tariffs apply exclusively to goods of Chinese origin. Vietnamese-origin goods are assessed only at standard MFN tariff rates. This is a major reason US importers have shifted manufacturing from China to Vietnam โ it eliminates the 7.5%โ25% Section 301 surcharge. However, CBP actively enforces origin rules to prevent Chinese goods from being transshipped through Vietnam.
What are the main ports for shipping from Vietnam to the USA?
Southern Vietnam: Cat Lai Port and Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT), both near Ho Chi Minh City, handle most of Vietnam's exports. Cai Mep has ultra-large vessel capability with direct trans-Pacific services. Northern Vietnam: Hai Phong serves manufacturers in the Red River Delta industrial zones near Hanoi. Most direct US-bound services depart from southern Vietnam.
How does CBP verify that Vietnamese goods are not transshipped from China?
CBP enforces strict country-of-origin rules. Goods claimed as Vietnamese-origin must undergo 'substantial transformation' in Vietnam โ meaning they must be manufactured or substantially processed in Vietnam, not simply labeled or minimally processed. CBP conducts factory audits, reviews production records, and may issue withhold release orders for goods suspected of origin fraud. Suaid Global advises importers on documentation requirements to withstand CBP scrutiny.
What documents are required for importing from Vietnam to the USA?
Required documents include: ISF, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, CBP Form 7501, and a textile declaration (for apparel and textiles). Wooden products require LACEY Act documentation. Seafood requires FDA Prior Notice and chain-of-custody documentation. If claiming preferential treatment under any program, the applicable certificate of origin is needed.
What types of goods are most commonly shipped from Vietnam to the USA?
Vietnam's top exports to the USA include footwear (Nike, Adidas manufacture heavily in Vietnam), apparel and textiles, furniture and wood products, electronics and components (Samsung and Intel have major Vietnamese operations), seafood (shrimp, catfish), machinery parts, and rubber products. The USA is consistently Vietnam's largest export market.
Are there anti-dumping duties on goods from Vietnam?
Yes. Anti-dumping duty orders exist on several Vietnamese export categories, including: shrimp (certain species), catfish/basa fish, steel products (certain types), solar cells, and polyethylene bags. Importers should verify applicable ADD/CVD orders for their specific HTS codes before shipping. Our customs team maintains current ADD/CVD databases to advise clients.