How to Ship to Vietnam from the US

Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economies, with a young, tech-savvy population that has embraced ecommerce. US goods including electronics, health supplements, cosmetics, and fashion are popular. The Vietnamese-American diaspora in the US (one of the largest in the world) also generates significant personal shipment traffic — especially before Tet (Lunar New Year).

Vietnam's customs authority applies duties on most imports. The de minimis is VND 1,000,000 (~$40 USD) for personal imports — below this, no duty or VAT applies. Above the threshold, Vietnamese VAT (10%) and import duties (varying by product category) apply. Vietnam Post (VNPost) handles USPS final-mile delivery; courier services are faster.

Carrier Options to Vietnam

USPS Priority Mail International

7-14 business days. Final delivery by Vietnam Post. Affordable for light packages.

DHL Express Worldwide

3-5 business days. Strong Vietnam coverage including Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

FedEx International Priority

3-5 business days. Reliable for major Vietnamese cities.

UPS Worldwide Expedited

4-6 business days. Good for commercial and business shipments.

Commonly Prohibited Items

✕Narcotics and controlled substances (Vietnam has strict drug laws)

✕Firearms and weapons without Vietnamese government authorization

✕Pornographic or politically sensitive material

✕Counterfeit goods

✕Certain food products without Vietnam Ministry of Health approval

✕Used clothing (commercial quantities)

Vietnam-Specific Shipping Tips

💡 De minimis is ~$40 USD — below this, personal imports may clear without duties or 10% VAT

💡 Vietnamese addresses use a specific format: house/apartment, alley (ngõ)/street (đường), ward (phường/xã), district (quận/huyện), city/province

💡 Vietnamese postal codes are 6 digits (e.g., 100000 for central Hanoi); include them

💡 Plan ahead for Tet (Lunar New Year) — shipping volume surges and delivery times extend significantly

💡 DHL is most reliable for Vietnam; Vietnam Post tracking can have gaps

Frequently asked questions

How long does shipping to Vietnam take?

USPS Priority Mail International: 7-14 business days. DHL/FedEx/UPS: 3-6 business days. Customs clearance adds 1-5 days via postal channels. Use couriers for faster, more reliable service.

What is Vietnam's duty-free threshold for personal imports?

Personal imports under VND 1,000,000 (~$40 USD) are generally duty-free. Above this, Vietnamese VAT (10%) and import duties apply. Commercial imports follow formal tariff classifications.

Can I ship to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi from the US?

Yes. Both are well-served by all major carriers. Ho Chi Minh City postal codes start with 7xxxxx; Hanoi with 1xxxxx. DHL and FedEx offer direct delivery to both cities in 3-5 business days.

Is it busy shipping to Vietnam around Tet?

Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year, usually late January-February) creates a massive surge in personal shipments. Ship at least 3-4 weeks before Tet to ensure on-time delivery.

What's the best carrier for Vietnam?

DHL Express offers the most reliable service with strong Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi coverage. For budget packages under 2 lbs, USPS Priority Mail International with Vietnam Post final mile is cost-effective.

How to Ship to Vietnam from the US

Typical 1 lb cost

Typical transit