How to Import from Vietnam to the US: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Agree on supplier terms and Incoterms

Incoterms set who pays for and carries the risk of each part of the trip (ICC Incoterms 2020). Most Vietnam buyers use FOB (the supplier delivers onto the vessel at the Vietnamese port) or EXW (you take over at the factory). Put the Incoterm, port and price in the purchase order.

Ask the supplier early for its legal name and address, the factory address and where the container will be loaded. You will need all of these for the ISF.

Step 2: Classify your goods (HTS code)

Every product needs a 10-digit code from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The code sets your duty rate. CBP says the importer is legally responsible for declaring value, classification and rate of duty, and must use reasonable care (CBP importing guide).

As of October 2026, most products of Vietnam owe their normal duty plus an additional 12.5% Section 301 tariff, in effect since July 24, 2026, with exclusions for some goods such as steel, aluminum, copper, certain wood products, vehicles and parts (Federal Register). Tariffs have changed often in 2025–2026. Confirm your HTS classification and current rate with a licensed customs broker before you order. For a binding answer, you can request a ruling from CBP (CBP rulings).

Step 3: Get a customs bond

Commercial ocean imports need a customs bond. A continuous bond covers a year of entries. CBP sets the minimum at $50,000 or 10% of the duties, taxes and fees paid in the previous 12 months, whichever is greater (CBP). A single-entry bond covers one shipment. Bonds are bought through a surety, usually arranged by your customs broker.

Step 4: File the ISF (10+2)

The Importer Security Filing must reach CBP no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded on the vessel bound for the U.S. (CBP). Late or inaccurate filings can bring liquidated damages of $5,000 each (CBP ISF FAQ).

The importer provides 10 data elements (CBP):

1. Seller
2. Buyer
3. Importer of record number
4. Consignee number
5. Manufacturer or supplier
6. Ship-to party
7. Country of origin
8. HTS number (6 digits)
9. Container stuffing location
10. Consolidator

The carrier supplies the other 2: the vessel stow plan and container status messages.

Step 5: Book the shipment

Choose full container (FCL) or shared space (LCL), and the port. Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai, Cai Mep) serves the south. Haiphong (Lach Huyen) serves the north. As one reference point, Warp quoted a 40-foot high cube from Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles at $8,249 port to door with 23 days transit, captured October 11, 2026. Published sailings from Hai Phong to Long Beach took about 22 days in late October 2026. Get a current quote, because rates move weekly.

Step 6: Export clearance in Vietnam

Under FOB, your supplier or its agent normally handles Vietnamese export customs. Under EXW, that falls to your side. Confirm in writing who is responsible before the cargo leaves the factory.

Step 7: Prepare the documents

• Commercial invoice: in English, with buyer and seller, detailed description, quantities, price per item, currency, country of origin and all charges (CBP).
• Packing list: contents, weight and dimensions of each package. It must match the invoice.
• Bill of lading: issued by the carrier; you need it to take delivery.
• Certificate of origin: the U.S. has no free trade agreement with Vietnam, so this does not lower duty. It does help support that goods are Vietnamese, which matters while China faces higher tariffs.
• Other agency documents: some goods, such as food, cosmetics or wood products, need extra filings.

Origin follows where goods were substantially transformed, not where they ship from (CBP).

Step 8: Arrival and customs entry

Entry documents must be filed within 15 calendar days of arrival. The entry summary and estimated duties are due within 10 working days of release (CBP importing guide). In practice, a licensed customs broker files both, often before the vessel arrives.

Step 9: Pay duties and fees

Your broker will also bill its own fees, and the terminal may charge for storage if pickup is late.

Step 10: Delivery

After release, a drayage carrier pulls the container from the LA or Long Beach terminal and delivers it to your warehouse, 3PL or Amazon facility. Return the empty container on time to avoid detention charges.

Common mistakes

• Filing the ISF late because supplier details arrived late.
• Guessing the HTS code, or copying the supplier’s code.
• Invoices and packing lists that do not match.
• Assuming goods are Vietnamese when key manufacturing happened in China.
• Ordering before checking current tariffs.
• Not planning pickup, which leads to storage and detention fees.

Ship with TradeLane Co.

TradeLane Co. is your single point of contact. We quote, coordinate and track your shipment, licensed FMC forwarding partners move the freight, and customs is handled through licensed customs brokers. See how it works, our lane pages for Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles and Haiphong to Los Angeles, or get a quote.

Related: Shipping Cost Guide · Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles · Haiphong to Los Angeles · Air freight to LAX · How It Works

Sources: ICC: Incoterms 2020; Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (USITC); CBP: Importing into the United States, A Guide for Commercial Importers; Federal Register: Section 301 forced-labor tariff notice, July 28, 2026; CBP Customs Rulings Online Search System; CBP: How to obtain a customs bond; CBP: When to submit the ISF; CBP: ISF and Additional Carrier Requirements; CBP: ISF FAQ 2.0; Warp: Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles ocean rates (captured Oct 11, 2026); CBP: Marking of Country of Origin on U.S. Imports; Federal Register: CBP user fees for fiscal year 2027; CBP User Fee Table; Cogoport, Hai Phong to Long Beach rates (Oct 2026). Figures are dated as shown. Rates and tariffs change often; confirm before you book. This guide is general information, not legal advice.