Ho Chi Minh port shipping mostly means Tan Cang-Cat Lai, the river container terminal in Ho Chi Minh City that handles the bulk of containers for the city and the southern industrial provinces. The largest ships call at the Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water cluster further down the coast instead. This guide covers both, the cargo each suits, Vietnam customs at the port and how we ship your cargo there from Dubai. We ship both from Dubai to Ho Chi Minh City and from Ho Chi Minh City to Dubai.
Port of Ho Chi Minh City: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main container terminal | Tan Cang-Cat Lai, on the Dong Nai River in Cat Lai ward, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Operator | Saigon Newport Corporation (Tan Cang Sai Gon) |
| UN/LOCODE | VNCLI (Cat Lai); VNSGN is used for Ho Chi Minh City |
| Cat Lai yard area | 160 ha |
| Cat Lai quay | 2,040 m, 9 ship berths and 1 barge berth |
| Cat Lai water draft at berth | -12.5 m, ships up to 45,000 DWT |
| Cat Lai container depots | 3 inside the terminal, 4 linked depots outside |
| Ho Chi Minh City container throughput, 2025 | Over 8.9 million TEU, up 14.5%, 22nd in the Lloyd's List 2026 ranking |
| Cai Mep cluster throughput, 2025 | Over 7.6 million TEU, 31st in the same ranking |
| Largest ship at TCIT, Cai Mep | Up to 173,724 DWT |
| Nearest cargo airport | Tan Son Nhat International (SGN) |
| Customs system | VNACCS/VCIS, green, yellow and red channels |
| Import VAT | 10% standard; 8% for most 10%-rated goods until 31 December 2026 |
| Duty on UAE-origin goods | UAE-Vietnam CEPA preferential rates since 3 February 2026, if origin rules are met |
| Ho Chi Minh City to Dubai | Exporter declares in VNACCS; UAE duty 5% of CIF for most goods, or CEPA rates for Vietnamese-origin goods, plus 5% import VAT |
What does the Port of Ho Chi Minh City include?
The Port of Ho Chi Minh City is not a single quay. It is a group of terminals along the rivers around the city. The old city-centre port was moved out for urban planning reasons to three areas: Cat Lai, Hiep Phuoc, and the Cai Mep-Thi Vai ports about 60 km southeast of the city.
For containers, the name that matters is Cat Lai. Its operator, Saigon Newport Corporation, was founded in 1989, runs 16 terminals across Vietnam and handled 9.75 million TEU across its network in 2023. It works with more than 100 shipping lines and agents.
Port directories also list other terminals inside the city system, such as Saigon Port, SP-PSA and Tan Thuan Dong, and many bookings use the code VNSGN for the whole port area. Saigon Newport now gives Ho Chi Minh City as TCIT's location too, but carriers treat Cai Mep as a separate port of call.
A rule of thumb: if your booking shows Ho Chi Minh City as the port of discharge, check the terminal on the arrival notice. It is usually Cat Lai, but the carrier may discharge at Cai Mep or Hiep Phuoc.
Cat Lai terminal: berths, yard and connections
Tan Cang-Cat Lai sits on the Dong Nai River in the east of the city. Construction started in 1996, the first container ship called in October 2002, and container work moved there from the old Tan Cang port in 2005.
| Feature | Cat Lai |
|---|---|
| Area | 160 ha |
| Quay length | 2,040 m |
| Berths | 9 ship berths plus 1 barge berth |
| Channel chart datum | -8.5 m (operator also lists -12 m and -14 m) |
| Water draft at berth | -12.5 m |
| Largest vessel | 45,000 DWT |
| Warehouse area | 4.2 ha |
| Shore cranes | 26 |
| Yard capacity | 96,800 TEU |
| Ship calls | More than 80 a week |
| Throughput | 5.2 million TEU in 2019, 5.6 million TEU in 2021 |
Area, quay, berths, draft, vessel size and warehouse come from the operator's terminal page. Cranes, yard capacity, ship calls and throughput come from the Vietnamese Wikipedia article. Saigon Newport lists services at Cat Lai including reefer container services, container weighing, stuffing and unstuffing, CY and warehouse services, internal trucking and its eSNP online system.
The terminal is a river port. Its 45,000 DWT limit compares with 173,724 DWT at TCIT in Cai Mep. That is why mainline services often call at Cai Mep, and why many boxes for Cat Lai arrive on smaller vessels or by barge.
Road access matters for delivery times. The Ben Luc-Long Thanh expressway, nearly 58 km long, opened along its full route on 1 October 2026 and links Hiep Phuoc and the Cai Mep terminals. Saigon Newport lists a Cat Lai inter-port road as a future link, so Cat Lai trucks still use the city road network.
Cat Lai or Cai Mep-Thi Vai: which terminal fits your cargo?
Cai Mep-Thi Vai is a deep-water cluster with several container terminals, among them TCIT, TCTT, TCCT and CMIT. TCIT alone has 3 berths on 890 m of quay, -16.8 m draft at berth and a capacity of 2.4 million TEU a year. It takes container ships up to 173,724 DWT and runs 12 to 13 weekly international services. In October 2026, TCTT and CMIT linked their quays into 1,200 m of continuous berth that can work three ultra-large ships at once. The cluster handled about 3.9 million TEU in the first half of 2026, up 9.2%.
| Your situation | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Consignee in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong or Dong Nai | Cat Lai | Shortest truck leg to most factories and warehouses |
| Carrier service calls Cai Mep only | Cai Mep | No extra feeder or barge transfer |
| Large or heavy cargo needing a bigger vessel | Cai Mep | Deep-water berths and larger ships |
| Small LCL consignment | The CFS your consolidator uses | The box is unpacked at the CFS, so its location sets your collection point |
| Consignee near Long Thanh or the Ba Ria area | Cai Mep | Closer to the terminal, and the new expressway helps |
The cheapest ocean rate is not always the cheapest total cost. Compare the full price to the door, including trucking or barge from the terminal.
What cargo can you ship through Ho Chi Minh City?
| Cargo type | How it usually moves | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| General goods | FCL or LCL to Cat Lai | Terminal on the arrival notice, free time, truck booking |
| Chilled and frozen food | Reefer containers | Set temperature, quarantine and food safety checks |
| Machinery and steel | Flat rack, open top, or breakbulk | Lifting points, lashing, discharge terminal with suitable cranes |
| Heavy-lift and project cargo | Breakbulk or heavy-lift vessel, often to Cai Mep or a general cargo berth | Lift plan, road permits for the inland move |
| Chemicals and other dangerous goods | IMDG containers | Carrier and terminal acceptance, import permit if needed |
Ho Chi Minh City or another Vietnamese port?
Ho Chi Minh City is the right choice for the south, but not for every consignee in Vietnam. Use the delivery address to decide.
| Port | 2025 container throughput | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai and city terminals) | Over 8.9 million TEU | Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An and the Mekong Delta |
| Cai Mep-Thi Vai cluster | Over 7.6 million TEU | Mainline services and large ships for the same southern region |
| Hai Phong (including Lach Huyen) | Over 8.2 million TEU | Hanoi and the northern industrial provinces |
| Da Nang | Smaller volumes | Central Vietnam, with fewer direct services |
A box landed in Ho Chi Minh City for a factory near Hanoi means a long domestic move by road, rail or coastal feeder. Book to the port nearest the consignee, even if the ocean rate is a little higher.
FCL and LCL shipping to Ho Chi Minh port
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft or 40ft box. It is collected from the terminal and reaches the consignee with the seal intact.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cargo shares a box and is unpacked at a container freight station. The release depends on the consolidator's paperwork and on the other shipments in the box.
With LCL, carton marks must match the packing list or the CFS cannot find your pieces. Our article on FCL vs LCL costs helps you choose.
Breakbulk, project cargo and dangerous goods
For machinery, transformers and steel, the first question is whether the piece fits a flat rack. If it does, a container service to Cat Lai or Cai Mep gives you more sailings. If not, you need breakbulk or heavy-lift tonnage, and the vessel date drives the plan. Our break bulk and project cargo service covers the UAE side, and our project cargo logistics process explains each stage.
Dangerous goods move under the IMDG Code. The carrier and the terminal each decide which classes they accept and how long a DG box may stay in the yard, so we confirm acceptance before you commit. You will need:
- UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group.
- A Safety Data Sheet for each product.
- A signed Dangerous Goods Declaration.
- UN-approved packaging, labels and placards.
- Any Vietnamese import permit for the chemical, arranged by the consignee.
Our dangerous goods shipping team handles the DG paperwork and carrier approval on the UAE side.
Customs clearance at Ho Chi Minh port
Your consignee, or a customs broker acting for them, files the import declaration in VNACCS/VCIS. The system assigns a channel.
| Channel | Check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Green | None | Pay duty and taxes, then clearance |
| Yellow | Document check | Submit the documents customs asks for |
| Red | Documents and physical inspection | Present the cargo for examination |
Which documents does Vietnam customs need?
The Vietnam Trade Portal lists the import dossier. For most commercial cargo you need the customs declaration, a commercial invoice, the bill of lading, and where they apply an import licence, a specialized inspection certificate and origin documents. Machines in HS Chapters 84, 85 or 90 shipped in parts also need a list of machinery and equipment. Import permits follow Decree 69/2018/ND-CP.
When must the import declaration be filed?
Vietnam customs guidance (Official Letter 3461/TCHQ-PC) says import declarations are filed before the goods arrive or within 30 days after arrival. Late filing can be fined as a customs administrative violation. In practice, file well before day 30: storage and container charges start long before the legal deadline.
Duty and VAT on goods from the UAE
Import duty follows Vietnam's tariff schedules by HS code. Since 3 February 2026, the UAE-Vietnam CEPA lets UAE-originating goods enter at preferential rates. Vietnam is removing tariffs on 98.5% of those goods, some at once and some in stages. You need a certificate of origin, and goods made elsewhere and re-exported from Dubai do not qualify.
VAT is 10% as standard. Most 10%-rated goods are charged 8% from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026, and the Ministry of Finance confirms this applies at import. Metal products and goods subject to special consumption tax are among the exclusions.
How to ship to Ho Chi Minh port from Dubai: step by step
We book space with carriers, prepare documents and handle trucking and export clearance in the UAE. Your consignee or its clearing agent clears the goods in Vietnam.
- Send us the cargo details: description, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, value and Incoterm.
- Confirm the terminal. Cat Lai, Cai Mep or Hiep Phuoc, based on the carrier service and the delivery address.
- Check Vietnam's rules with your consignee: licence, specialized inspection and CEPA origin.
- Book space from Jebel Ali Port or another UAE port, with carrier acceptance first for DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo.
- Prepare and cross-check the invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading.
- Stuff and truck the container to the terminal before the cut-off, and file the export declaration with Dubai Customs.
- Release the bill of lading as agreed, by original, telex release or sea waybill.
- The consignee's broker files the VNACCS declaration, pays duty and VAT and collects the delivery order.
- The container is picked up from the terminal, delivered and returned empty within free time.
[AMIR-FACT: Our real transit Jebel Ali to Cat Lai or Cai Mep (days) and the carriers we book to Ho Chi Minh City]
What to send us for a Ho Chi Minh City quote
- Pickup address in the UAE and delivery address in Vietnam.
- Commodity, HS code and whether the goods are UAE-made.
- Number of packages, weight and volume, or container type and count.
- Dimensions and weight of each piece for out-of-gauge or heavy cargo.
- UN number and SDS for dangerous goods, or set temperature for reefers.
- Incoterm and ready date.
How to ship from Ho Chi Minh port to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Ho Chi Minh City to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The Vietnamese export side stays with the shipper or its Vietnam agent, because we have no office in Vietnam.
The Vietnam export side
- Export declaration. The exporter registers the declaration in VNACCS (the EDA step) and then submits the final declaration (EDC). The registered data can be changed for up to 7 days.
- Channels. VNACCS sends the declaration to a green, yellow or red channel. Yellow means the documents are checked; red means the documents and the cargo are examined.
- Permits. An export licence or an inspection certificate is needed for goods that require one, and raw timber needs its own statement.
- Delivery to the terminal. The shipper or its trucker delivers the box to Cat Lai or Cai Mep, as named on the booking.
The UAE import side
The import declaration goes to Dubai Customs. A company with a Dubai Customs business code can file it, or a licensed clearing agent with the owner's authorisation. Dubai Customs asks for the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and any permit from the authority that controls restricted goods, and the carrier's agent needs the bill of lading before it issues the delivery order. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5% of the customs value, and a VAT-registered importer accounts for it on its VAT return through the reverse charge.
For Vietnamese-origin goods, the UAE-Vietnam CEPA has been in force since 3 February 2026, and the UAE commits to remove tariffs on 99% of Vietnamese-originating exports. The goods must meet the CEPA origin rules, so ask the shipper for a CEPA certificate of origin before sailing.
- Send us the shipper's details in Vietnam, the cargo, the HS code, the Incoterm and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Cat Lai or Cai Mep to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah and send the booking and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker collects the empty, stuffs it and delivers the box to the terminal on the booking before the cut-off.
- The shipper or its Vietnamese customs agent declares the goods in VNACCS and gets clearance before loading.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list before the carrier issues it.
- We file the UAE import declaration before the ship arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT.
- We collect the delivery order from the carrier's agent in the UAE.
- We truck the cargo to your site and return the empty container inside free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Cat Lai or Cai Mep to Jebel Ali/Khalifa/Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Peak periods and congestion at Cat Lai
Cat Lai has had congestion in busy periods, and port data sites track yard dwell times that rise and fall month to month. Lunar New Year (Tet) is a common pressure point because factories close and cargo bunches before and after the holiday. Three things help: book space earlier in those weeks, have the declaration and permits ready before arrival, and agree with the carrier whether discharge at Cai Mep or Hiep Phuoc is an option if Cat Lai is full.
Free time, demurrage and storage
Carriers give a set number of free days for their containers, and the terminal charges storage after its own free period. Both vary by carrier, terminal and box type, so read them on the quote and the arrival notice. File the declaration early, have permits ready before arrival and book the truck before free time starts. Our article on demurrage and detention shows how these charges build up.
Checklist before you ship
- Discharge terminal confirmed: Cat Lai, Cai Mep or Hiep Phuoc.
- HS code agreed with the consignee.
- Import licence or specialized inspection arranged if needed.
- CEPA certificate of origin ready for UAE-originating goods.
- Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading match.
- Consignee's broker ready to file in VNACCS.
- DG documents and acceptance in place for hazardous cargo.
- Free time agreed and delivery planned.
- Cargo insurance arranged under the Incoterm.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every Ho Chi Minh City booking lands at Cat Lai. A box discharged at Cai Mep needs a different truck plan.
- Claiming CEPA on goods made outside the UAE. The consignee then faces duty reassessment.
- Mismatched weights or descriptions across documents. This pushes the declaration into a yellow or red check.
- Leaving specialized inspection until arrival. The box waits in the yard while storage builds up.
- Booking breakbulk to a terminal without suitable cranes. Check the discharge berth before you book.
- Planning on 8% VAT for arrivals after 2026. The reduced rate ends on 31 December 2026 unless extended.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main container port in Ho Chi Minh City?
Tan Cang-Cat Lai, run by Saigon Newport Corporation, is the main container terminal. It has 2,040 m of quay with 9 ship berths and 1 barge berth on the Dong Nai River, -12.5 m draft at berth and room for ships up to 45,000 DWT.
What is the port code for Cat Lai?
The UN/LOCODE for Cat Lai is VNCLI. VNSGN is also used for Ho Chi Minh City on some bookings.
What is the difference between Cat Lai and Cai Mep?
Cat Lai is a river terminal inside Ho Chi Minh City, close to most consignees. Cai Mep-Thi Vai is a deep-water cluster about 60 km southeast of the city, where the largest container ships call.
How much cargo does the Port of Ho Chi Minh City handle?
Ho Chi Minh City handled over 8.9 million TEU in 2025, up 14.5%, and ranked 22nd in the Lloyd's List 2026 top 100. The Cai Mep cluster handled over 7.6 million TEU.
Can I ship goods from Dubai to Ho Chi Minh City duty-free?
Many UAE-originating goods qualify for zero or reduced duty under the UAE-Vietnam CEPA, in force since 3 February 2026. You need a certificate of origin, and goods made in other countries do not qualify.
What VAT applies to imports at Ho Chi Minh port?
The standard rate is 10%, cut to 8% for most 10%-rated goods from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026, including at import. Some groups, such as metal products, are excluded.
Can I ship dangerous goods to Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes, under the IMDG Code, with an SDS, a DG declaration and carrier and terminal acceptance. Some chemicals also need a Vietnamese import permit.
Who clears cargo at Ho Chi Minh port?
The consignee or a customs broker acting for it files the declaration in VNACCS/VCIS. We prepare the export side and the shipping documents in the UAE.
Can you ship from Ho Chi Minh City to Dubai?
Yes. We book space from Cat Lai or Cai Mep to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah, the shipper or its Vietnamese agent files the VNACCS export declaration, and we clear the cargo through UAE customs. Most goods pay 5% customs duty on the CIF value plus 5% import VAT. Goods with a CEPA certificate of origin may pay less duty.
Get a quote for Ho Chi Minh port shipping
Send us your cargo details and delivery address and we will come back with a routing and price. Use our freight rate inquiry form or contact our team about breakbulk, DG or project cargo. You can also read about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Wikipedia (Vietnamese): Cat Lai Port (location, area, quay, berths, cranes, yard, history, throughput)
- Saigon Newport Corporation: Tan Cang-Cat Lai Terminal (area, berths, draft, max vessel, warehouse, services)
- Saigon Newport Corporation: Tan Cang-Cai Mep International Terminal (berths, draft, capacity)
- MarineLink Ports Directory: Ho Chi Minh City (terminal list, VNSGN)
- Conventus Law: Official Letter 3461/TCHQ-PC on the 30-day declaration deadline
- SHIPNEXT: Cat Lai Port (berths, yard area, depots)
- Cogoport: Cat Lai (VNCLI)
- MagicPort: Cat Lai port and nearby port codes (VNSGN)
- Wikipedia: Saigon Port (relocation, Cai Mep-Thi Vai distance)
- Saigon Newport Corporation: About us
- Saigon Newport Corporation: Port operations
- Saigon Newport Corporation: Three Vietnamese seaports in global rankings
- Saigon Newport Corporation: TCIT 2 million TEU milestone
- Saigon Newport Corporation: TCTT-CMIT joint berth
- Saigon Newport Corporation: Ben Luc-Long Thanh expressway
- Vietnam Trade Portal (MOIT): Customs procedure for imported goods
- Vietnam Trade Portal (MOIT): Import permit licence
- UAE Ministry of Economy: UAE-Vietnam CEPA
- Ministry of Finance of Vietnam: VAT reduction at import (Decree 174/2025/ND-CP)
- Government of Vietnam: Resolution 204/2025/QH15
- Vietnam Trade Portal (MOIT): Customs procedure for exported goods (VNACCS, channels, documents)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, permits)
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (customs business code, clearing agents with owner authorisation)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (5% import VAT on the customs value, reverse charge)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026