How to ship from Vietnam to the US?

With a large economic scale and great purchasing habit, the United States has quickly become the target market in expansion strategies of many international businesses, in general, and Vietnamese businesses, specifically. According to the Vietnam Trade Office in the USA, exports from Vietnam to the US was up to $109,38 billion in 2022 (the first time exports from Vietnam reached $100 billion), increasing up to 13,6% compared to 2021, in particular, exports from the apperal and other machinery and equipment sectors reached the milestone of $20 billion. 

To tap into this promising market, aside from seeking customers and partners, planning for development, and promoting their brand, Vietnamese businesses also need to invest in researching suitable methods of shipping to the United States for each specific business model and objective. This article by DHL Express will provide you with useful insights when sending shipments to the US to ensure a smooth, fast, and efficient process that best meets your needs. 

1. Understanding regulations when importing goods to the US 

To successfully ship to the US, first, you need to determine whether the type of goods you intend to send is allowed for import into the US or not. According to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), certain items are prohibited from import or require specific documents/licenses issued by federal agencies before they can be imported into the US. 

Some items prohibited from shipping to the US include (but are not limited to): 

• Live animals, biological products 
• Various weapons, ammunition, explosive substances, inflammable substances, or radioactive materials 
• Cash, activated ATM cards 
• E-cigarettes 
• Hazardous goods such as perfumes, nail polish, dry ice 
• Illegal goods such as counterfeit items, fake products, addictive substances

For food products, you need to familiarize yourself with the regulations of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to FDA standards, all establishments that manufacture, process, pack, or store food for consumption in the US for humans or animals must register with the FDA. Additionally, the FDA requires prior notice for food items imported into the US. However, most food shipments sent from individuals to individuals as gifts (not for commercial purposes) with a value under $800 USD do not require a permit to enter the US. Some exceptions, such as bird's nest drink, edible bird’s nests, and canned salmon, require permits regardless of the shipment's value. 

2. Research and estimate related shipping costs. 

When sending items to the US, there are several associated costs that you need to consider and calculate: 

• Air freight charges: this is the basic fee for international express delivery service providers to transport shipments from the sender's address to the recipient's address. The shipping fee depends on factors such as the destination region, whether the shipment contains documents or goods, and the weight of the shipment. 
• Surcharges: in addition to fuel surcharges typically applied to all international express deliveries, specific requests for shipping with different characteristics may incur additional charges, such as delivery to remote areas, overweight or oversized items, etc. 
• Additional services: you can opt for additional solutions to best meet both your needs and your recipient's needs, such as DHL Express' time-definite delivery service (before 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, or 12:00 PM depending on the destination), parcel protection service, carbon emission reduction service through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (GoGreen Plus), etc. 
• Customs taxes and duties: in cross-border deliveries, shipments may be subjected to customs taxes and duties according to the customs regulations of the importing country, depending on the nature, value, and origin of the goods. When using DHL's services, the sender can choose to pay the taxes and duties on behalf of the recipient. 

You should contact reputable shipping companies for consulting and detailed shipping quotes for each type of shipment to the US. To estimate costs when sending shipments to the US, you can refer to this link. 

3. Prepare shipment packaging 

Proper packaging with suitable materials will ensure that your items arrive safely and intact. Additionally, having your shipment labeled with complete information will ensure that it reaches the correct recipient. 

DHL Express Vietnam will share some useful steps for packaging goods here: 

• Step 1: Choose the appropriate box with suitable material and size. 
• Step 2: Use cushioning materials to fill the gaps in the box to prevent the items from shifting during transportation. 
• Step 3: If shipping multiple items in one shipment, wrap each product and separate them using appropriate materials.