VietnamViệt Nam

Travellers arriving in Vietnam may bring 1.5 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. Duty-free per person: spirits up to 1.5L (or beer up to 3L), 200 cigarettes or 250g pipe tobacco or 20 cigars; personal goods valued up to VND 10 million (approx. USD $400–$430). For Vietnamese nationals returning after 6+ months abroad, the allowance for goods is higher at VND 20 million.

400 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 5000 (VND) must be declared on arrival.

VND 1,000,000 (~USD 43). Import goods valued at or below VND 1,000,000 (approx. USD $43) are generally exempt from import duty if they are non-commercial gifts. VAT (10%) may still apply. Vietnam has been working to tighten low-value e-commerce import rules. Verify current rules with GDVC.

VAT (Thuế Giá Trị Gia Tăng) 10% standard; 5% reduced on certain essentials and 0% on exports. Applied to import customs value + duty. Personal-import de minimis VND 1,000,000 (~USD 40).

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) for your specific medicine.

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to Vietnam's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

A customs declaration filed with General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC), a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

Narcotics and psychotropic substances; Pornographic materials; Publications and materials against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. See the full prohibited list on this page.

Firearms and weapons (Ministry of Public Security permit required); Explosives and flammable materials; Pharmaceuticals and medical devices (Ministry of Health approval required). Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into Vietnam accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC)'s agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; Vietnam may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact Vietnam's health authority before travel.

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter Vietnam.

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) via the contact route on their official site.

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.