🇰🇷 South Korea → 🇻🇳 Vietnam
Korea-Vietnam FTA + RCEP
Compliance path
Korea-Vietnam EPA (VKFTA, 2015) and RCEP provide the legal framework. Korea is among Vietnam's top investors; Samsung, LG, and Hyundai operate major Vietnamese manufacturing. Outbound from Korea: electronics, machinery, plastics, steel. Inbound from Vietnam: apparel, seafood, footwear, furniture, agricultural products. Busan-Ho Chi Minh ocean 4-6 days; air freight 4-6 hours plus customs. VK-Form C/O required for preferential rates.
Commonly shipped items on this lane
1. Can I bring goods from South Korea to Vietnam?
Travellers entering Vietnam from South Korea are subject to Vietnam's personal allowances and declaration rules. The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) sets allowances for alcohol, tobacco, and personal goods. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel.
- Alcohol allowance: 1.5 L
- Cigarette allowance: 400
- Personal-goods allowance: ~USD 700
- Cash declaration threshold: USD 5000
2. Can I post goods from South Korea to Vietnam?
Parcels move through Vietnam's postal-customs flow. Typical transit time on this lane is 5 days. Every international parcel needs a CN22 (under ~USD 300) or CN23 (above) customs declaration. Use accurate descriptions and HS codes — vague labels are the single biggest cause of postal customs holds.
Vietnam Post and customs handle international postal imports. Customs duties and VAT apply to goods above the de minimis threshold. Prohibited items cannot be imported by any means including post.
3. Can I import commercially from South Korea to Vietnam?
Yes. Commercial importers into Vietnam need an importer of record, a customs declaration filed with General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and goods classified to the appropriate HS code. Some categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, chemicals, weapons, art) require additional permits or certificates.
4. Duties, VAT/GST and de minimis
Originating goods qualify for Korea-Vietnam FTA + RCEP preferential duty — often 0% — provided rules-of-origin criteria are met. Vietnam levies 10% VAT/GST on commercial imports. Postal / courier de minimis: VND 1,000,000.
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.
5. FTA + rules of origin
Korea-Vietnam FTA + RCEP is in force on this lane. To claim preferential duty, the goods must meet the agreement's rules of origin (typically a regional value content threshold or a tariff-shift test) and the importer must hold a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration.
See: All FTAs
6. Documents you may need
- Commercial invoice (every commercial shipment).
- Packing list.
- Transport document — air waybill (AWB) or bill of lading (B/L).
- Customs declaration (filed by importer of record or broker).
- Certificate of Origin or origin declaration to claim Korea-Vietnam FTA + RCEP preference.
- Sector permits where applicable: phytosanitary, veterinary, medicines, telecom, weapons, art.
- Importer EORI / tax-ID where required by Vietnam.
7. Common problems on this route
- Undervaluation flagged at clearance, leading to revaluation and back-duty.
- Incorrect HS classification — duty rate moves up an entire tariff line.
- Missing origin documentation: FTA preference lost, MFN duty assessed.
- Vague descriptions on CN22 / CN23: parcel held pending clarification.
- Sanctions / dual-use screening for sensitive commodities.
- Biosecurity holds on food, plant, animal and wood-packaging items.
- Lithium-battery air-cargo refusal for non-compliant packaging.
8. High-risk item categories
No prohibited or restricted items flagged in the top-items list for this lane. Still verify any sensitive cargo against the official customs authority.
Generally restricted categories into Vietnam:
- Firearms and weapons (Ministry of Public Security permit required)
- Explosives and flammable materials
- Pharmaceuticals and medical devices (Ministry of Health approval required)
- Agricultural products (quarantine certificate required)
- Vehicles (Ministry of Transport approval and registration)
- Certain electronic goods (Ministry of Information and Communications approval)
9. Official sources
- General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) — destination customs authority.
- Korea Customs Service (KCS) — origin customs authority.
- Vietnam country profile — full source panel and rule index.
- FTA registry — search for Korea-Vietnam FTA + RCEP.
10. Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring goods from South Korea to Vietnam as a traveller?
Yes. Travellers from South Korea entering Vietnam are subject to Vietnam's personal allowances and declaration rules. Alcohol allowance: 1.5 L. Cigarette allowance: 400. Personal goods allowance: ~USD 700. Declare anything above these limits at the red channel.
Can I send a parcel from South Korea to Vietnam?
Yes — parcels move through Vietnam's postal-customs flow. Typical transit: 5 days. De minimis: VND 1,000,000. Always attach a CN22 or CN23 declaration with accurate description, value, and HS code.
Can I import commercially from South Korea to Vietnam?
Yes. Commercial imports into Vietnam require an importer of record, customs declaration via General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC), commercial invoice, packing list, and HS-classified goods. Korea-Vietnam FTA + RCEP preferential duty is available if origin requirements are met.
What duties and taxes apply on this lane?
Originating goods qualify for Korea-Vietnam FTA + RCEP preferential rates (often 0%). Vietnam levies 10% VAT/GST on commercial imports. De minimis below VND 1,000,000.
Do I need a Certificate of Origin?
Yes — to claim Korea-Vietnam FTA + RCEP preferential duty, the consignment must be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration meeting the agreement's rules-of-origin criteria. Without it, MFN duty applies.
What is Vietnam's cash declaration threshold for travellers?
Travellers entering Vietnam must declare cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 5000.
What documents should I prepare?
Minimum: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (AWB or B/L), and customs declaration. Add a Certificate of Origin if claiming FTA preference. Sensitive categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need sector-specific permits or certificates.
What can go wrong on this lane?
Common problems: undervaluation flagged at clearance, incorrect HS code triggering a higher duty, missing origin documentation losing the FTA preference, parcel held for vague description on CN22/CN23, sanctions / dual-use screening on certain commodities, and biosecurity holds on food / plant / animal products.
Country profiles
Reference only — not legal or customs advice. Customs rules change frequently. Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting on any rule on this page.