“A Comprehensive Guide to Importing Goods from China to Vietnam”

Importing goods from China to Vietnam requires several steps, and we will guide you through the process and procedures in this article.

1Important Considerations when Importing from China

To facilitate a smooth import process from China, suppliers must pay attention to legal procedures to avoid any delays or loss of rights.

Obtain Import License

Compared to exporting, obtaining an import license can be challenging due to strict regulations by authorities to ensure the quality of imported goods, especially for goods under special management that require this license.

To expedite the process of obtaining an import license, suppliers should carefully check the official website for goods categories when declaring the procedures.

Inspect Goods Quality upon Receipt

This step is crucial. Suppliers must inspect the quality of imported goods and cross-reference with relevant documents to ensure product quality and prevent potential risks.

Choose a Transport Method

Once the products meet quality standards and the license is obtained, suppliers should consider engaging a transport company to ensure a seamless import process.

When arranging transportation, suppliers should communicate with exporters to obtain information such as the transportation schedule, vehicle name and number, departure time, estimated arrival time, etc. This facilitates coordination between both parties and allows for providing additional information to the transport company, exchanging receipts, and settling transportation fees.

Purchase Cargo Insurance before Import Procedures

To mitigate risks during transportation, suppliers can consider purchasing cargo insurance. If the contract does not specify insurance requirements, opt for the lowest package.

Customs Procedures

During import procedures, suppliers should pay attention to the goods’ code and applicable taxes to avoid administrative penalties and tax evasion due to incorrect code declaration.

Depending on the case, suppliers may need to request early cargo release and document debt clearance during customs declaration procedures. Customs authorities may require suppliers to explain the value and quantity of goods for clearance.

Confirm Payment

Suppliers should carefully review the contract and choose a suitable payment method to avoid financial risks.

Resolve Disputes

To ensure a smooth import process, suppliers should be cautious when drafting contracts and reviewing their terms to prevent complaints about issues like missing or defective goods.

2 Procedures for Importing from China to Vietnam

The process of importing from China to Vietnam consists of 7 steps:

Step 1 Supplier Finds Exporter and References Price

Firstly, the supplier needs to find and understand the exporter, goods, and reference costs.

• Exporter: Address, phone number, email, Skype, market, and company scale, etc.
• Goods: Segment, product name, price, production time, and expiration date, etc.

Step 2 Place an Order

After finding an exporter, send an order confirmation (order) via email. The order should include the following information:

• Seller (Seller) and buyer (Buyer) information, including company name, address, phone number, email, and representative.
• Goods information, including product name, quantity, delivery terms, and total price.
• Delivery terms and timeframe, including date, month, year, and contract number.
• Payment terms, including beneficiary bank account information and payment conditions.

Step 3 International Payment

Based on the contract, the supplier makes international payments to the agreed account between the two parties.

Step 4 Prepare International Import Documents

The international import documents include:

• 1 International Commercial Contract (Supplier should pay attention to the product name, quantity, total amount matching the invoice, packing list, BL, origin of goods, payment terms and conditions, delivery time, transportation time, etc.)
• 1 Commercial Invoice (Ensure that the information in the commercial invoice matches the customs declaration, supplier name, quantity, payment terms, and delivery terms.)
• 1 Packing List (This document is used to receive goods at the warehouse; without it or with an incorrect waybill number or number of packages, it will be difficult to receive the goods.)

Step 5 Choose a Transport Method

With the documents ready, the supplier can choose the most necessary and convenient way to transport the goods. There are three methods: hand-carrying by air, sea, or road transport, each with different costs and delivery times.

Step 6 Prepare Documents and Customs Procedures in Vietnam

Submit the necessary documents to the Customs Department. The requirements may vary depending on the type of goods, but the basic documents include the commercial contract, invoice, list of goods, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, certificate of analysis, health certificate, quality declaration, and quality inspection registration.

Step 7 Collect Goods and Transport to Warehouse

After completing the procedures, the supplier arranges transportation to bring the goods to the warehouse, usually by renting a container or small truck.

3 Goods to Avoid Importing from China

To mitigate unwanted risks, importers must understand which goods to avoid importing from China.

Flowers, Tubers, and Fruits

Products of this nature from China often contain excessive food preservatives, which can lead to fines at the border.

Cereals and Dried Foods

Cereals and dried foods from China are often unpopular in the Vietnamese market due to quality concerns, so it is best to avoid importing these products.

Fresh Foods

Fresh foods are often subject to strict scrutiny, and their quality is not guaranteed. Transportation is also unfavorable, making this category the first on the list of products not to import from China.

The above is the process and procedures for importing goods from China to Vietnam, which we hope will help importers understand and expedite the process.