I've just joined the exPat Exhange forum and noticed not a lot of information with moving personal items to Vietnam. Hopefully my questions will spark a great list of comments for future users and newbies like me.
Here's a run down of what I'm planning to do and hope you could provide some guidance based on your experiences of moving personal goods into Vietnam. Sorry its a long thread, lots to cover.
I'm currently located in Sydney, Australia. I'm planning to move to Vietnam in the second half of 2024 on a TRC Visa initially, and then a PRC later on. I actually own an export / import company, but we dont own any of the actually shipping or processes as its typically handled by the shipper with all paperwork since its a consoldated FCL container of sold goods. We simply handle the commercials and trade only.
So when it comes to personal items, this is where it gets a little grey for me.
My aim is to use the shipping agents I already know here in Sydney who are Vietnamese, they can also pack my container, have the container road trasnported to the port, load onto a ship and have it sent by sea to HCMC Cat Lai port, at the HCMC end, there is another conencted agent who will pickup the container from the Cat Lai port and then road transport the container to its final desitnation, near Phan Thiet, about 5hrs north east of HCMC on the coast.
So its good that at least I know one shipper who will ship personal items, but unfortunately they dont handle any of the personal paperwork necessary for Vietnamese Customs. My aim is to buy a 20ft container here in Australia, pack it then ship and deliver, as I want to use the container for storage at the aother end, when it arrives near Phan Thiet city.
From what I undertand so far, below is the basic outline of what paperwork is required by Vietnamese customs to accept and clear my personal items ; (the main sticky point is the Packing List, I'm not 100% sure what I need to place onto this document?) ;
1. Bill of lading (telex release) – (I understand this fully)
2. Packing list – Not clear on what is required
3. Copy of passport, visa, residence card - (I understand this fully)
4. Working permit / License for establishment of representative office, branch of the company -(I understand this fully)
5. Authorize letter (client is not to present personally at customs/port for clearance) - (I understand this fully as I will be present at Customs/port to clear my personal goods)
6. Arrival Declaration Card (to show you have an unaccompanied shipment) -(I understand this fully)
However, I’m not 100% clear on the following either and hope you can assist to clear these up for me ;
1. What exact details are required by Vietnam Customs for the “Packing List” documents. For example, Do I need to detail things such as,
- Product name
- Make
- Model
- Serial Number
- Net Weight of item
- Dimension of items,
- Provide photos of each item?
- Estimated price (new or used) to determine customs duty etc .. (Not sure about this as some of my stuff is 10years old and not worth any money, just sentimental to me., othr items are not that old, like 2-3 years but really not worth the same value as new)
- How are these items "$value" calculated to minimse my cost exposure to duty and taxes?
2. I believe there may also be a legal requirement to have a Vietnamese in-country shipping agent to handle the incoming shipment and documentation or such as a mandatory legal requirement in Vietnam? I read this somewhere but not sure if its a legal requirement?
3. The information on several shipping websites outlining what can or cant be imported is not clear, especially on what can be imported as a personal item into Vietnam, its does state forbidden products which is quite clear, however for example I’ve read on some websites you cannot bring in certain items but on other sites you can. Very confusing.
What has been your experience with items you may have sent to Vietnam, such as Televisions, Computers, Computer Equipment - like LCD monitors, Kitchen appliances, kitchen utensils and crockery, Pushbike?, Basic Tools, Electric Tools, Records, CD's, other electrical items, furniture, paintings, etc...
Would very much appreciate anyones on this forum, experience and guidance who may have been through the process a few times and knows most of the pro's and con's ;)
Thanks in advance and look forward to hearing from the experienced exPats !! :) .
Cheers
Andrew
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