Shipping from Vietnam to the USA: the complete guide
Ocean vs air, transit times, customs and costs — everything you need to ship from Vietnam to the United States.
Ocean vs air: choosing your mode
For most Vietnam–US shipments, ocean freight offers the best cost per kilo, with transit of 18–30 days to the West Coast and 30–40 days to the East Coast. Air freight cuts that to 3–8 days for urgent or high-value goods, at a premium.
The right choice comes down to your deadline, budget and cargo value. Many importers use a blend — sea for the bulk, air for replenishment.
Customs clearance into the US
US imports require correct HS classification, accurate valuation and, for many goods, additional agency requirements. Errors here are the top cause of delay and penalties.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- ISF filing for ocean shipments
- Any FDA, FCC or other agency requirements
What it costs
Total landed cost includes freight, origin and destination charges, customs duties and last-mile delivery. A good forwarder quotes all-in so there are no surprises.
How Embassy Freight helps
We handle booking, origin and destination customs, and door-to-door delivery on the Vietnam–US lane, with one coordinator and milestone tracking throughout.
