Shipping from Dubai to Vietnam usually means a container from Jebel Ali to the Ho Chi Minh City port system in the south or to Hai Phong in the north, with air cargo for urgent goods and breakbulk for machinery and steel. On the Vietnamese side, your consignee declares the goods in the VNACCS/VCIS customs system, and since 3 February 2026 UAE-origin goods can qualify for lower duty under the UAE-Vietnam CEPA. This guide covers ports, modes, documents, duty and VAT, and the order in which to do things.
Shipping from Dubai to Vietnam at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main UAE load port | Jebel Ali (Dubai), UN/LOCODE AEJEA |
| Main Vietnamese gateways (south) | Ho Chi Minh City port system, including Cat Lai (VNCLI), and the Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water cluster |
| Main Vietnamese gateway (north) | Hai Phong, including the Lach Huyen deep-water area |
| 2025 container throughput (Lloyd's List ranking) | Ho Chi Minh City over 8.9 million TEU, Hai Phong over 8.2 million TEU, Cai Mep over 7.6 million TEU |
| Main cargo airports | Tan Son Nhat (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City; Noi Bai (HAN), Hanoi |
| Modes on this lane | FCL, LCL, flat rack and breakbulk, project cargo, dangerous goods, air cargo |
| Customs system in Vietnam | VNACCS/VCIS, with green, yellow and red inspection channels |
| Trade agreement | UAE-Vietnam CEPA, signed 28 October 2024, in force since 3 February 2026 |
| CEPA tariff coverage | Vietnam removes tariffs on 98.5% of UAE-originating goods, some at once and some in stages |
| Import VAT | 10% standard rate; 8% for most 10%-rated goods from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026, including at import |
| Import permits and banned goods | Set by Decree 69/2018/ND-CP and the ministry lists made under it |
How cargo moves from Dubai to Vietnam
Most cargo leaves the UAE through Jebel Ali. Some carriers also load at Khor Fakkan on the east coast. On the Vietnamese side, the port you choose depends on where your consignee is.
- South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai). Book to Cat Lai or to a Cai Mep-Thi Vai terminal. Cat Lai sits on the Dong Nai River close to the city. Cai Mep takes the largest container ships.
- North Vietnam (Hanoi, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh). Book to Hai Phong. Hai Phong moved up to 26th in the Lloyd's List 2026 ranking after four more berths opened at Lach Huyen in 2025.
- Central Vietnam. Da Nang and Quy Nhon have smaller container services, so check the routing before you commit.
A simple rule: pick the discharge port nearest the final delivery address, not the one with the lowest ocean rate. A cheap rate to Hai Phong is a bad deal if the factory is in Dong Nai.
Ports and gateways on both ends
| Gateway | Side | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali Port | UAE | Most FCL, LCL, breakbulk and DG sailings to Asia |
| Khor Fakkan | UAE | Some east coast services, where your carrier offers them |
| Cat Lai (Tan Cang-Cat Lai) | Vietnam | Containers for Ho Chi Minh City and nearby industrial provinces |
| Cai Mep-Thi Vai terminals | Vietnam | Large mainline vessels and direct long-haul services |
| Hai Phong and Lach Huyen | Vietnam | Cargo for Hanoi and the northern industrial zones |
| Tan Son Nhat (SGN) and Noi Bai (HAN) airports | Vietnam | Air cargo, samples, spare parts |
Sea freight from Dubai to Vietnam: FCL or LCL?
Most general cargo on this lane moves in containers. Your choice comes down to volume, value and how much handling the goods can take.
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft or 40ft box. It suits stock orders, raw materials, building products and anything you want sealed from your warehouse to the consignee's door.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cargo shares a box with other shippers and is unpacked at a container freight station (CFS) in Vietnam. It suits small orders, but your release also depends on the consolidator's paperwork and on every other shipment in the box.
Vietnamese customs treats each consignment on its own declaration. In an LCL box, a problem with someone else's cargo can still slow the unpacking, so send clean documents early. Our guide on when FCL beats LCL on cost shows how to compare the two for your volume.
Reefer cargo needs a plug-in slot at both ends and a set temperature on the booking. Vietnam also requires quarantine or food safety checks on many food items, so line those up before the ship sails.
Published transit times and sailings
Transit time depends on the carrier, the service rotation and whether the box is transshipped. Online schedule tools show a wide spread for this lane. Fluent Cargo, a schedule aggregator, lists its quickest ocean option as about 17 days 18 hours from Khor Fakkan to Cat Lai with one transfer, and a Jebel Ali to Ho Chi Minh City service at about 26 days. Other forwarder pages quote anything from 18 to 31 days. Treat these as rough indications and ask for the routing of the actual service when you book.
[AMIR-FACT: Our real port-to-port transit Jebel Ali to Cat Lai and Jebel Ali to Hai Phong (days), and the carriers or services we actually book on this lane]
Breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo to Vietnam
Machinery, steel structures, transformers and plant equipment often go to Vietnam's industrial zones. How they travel depends on size and weight.
| Cargo profile | Usual option | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Fits a container by size and weight | Standard FCL, or open top for top-loaded items | Lashing inside the box, weight limits on the road leg |
| Too wide or tall for a box, under flat rack limits | Flat rack on a container service | Carrier approval for out-of-gauge, terminal handling at both ends |
| Too large or heavy for a flat rack | Breakbulk or heavy-lift vessel | Vessel availability, lift plan, discharge port with suitable cranes |
| Large plant spread over many pieces | Project shipment, often mixed modes | Piece list, sequence of delivery, road permits in Vietnam |
Vietnam has rules on importing used machinery and production lines, including age and technical conditions set out in Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg. If the equipment is not new, check it against those rules before you sign the sale. Our break bulk and project cargo service covers the planning on the UAE side, and our guide to flat rack, open top and breakbulk helps you pick the equipment.
Dangerous goods from Dubai to Vietnam
Chemicals, paints, lithium batteries, aerosols and gases all ship as dangerous goods under the IMDG Code by sea or IATA rules by air. Carriers decide case by case which DG classes they accept on a service and at which Vietnamese terminal.
What you need for any DG booking:
- UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group for each product.
- A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each product.
- A signed Dangerous Goods Declaration.
- UN-approved packaging, with marks, labels and container placards.
- Carrier acceptance before you confirm the sailing.
- Any import permit Vietnam requires for the chemical, arranged by the consignee.
Some chemicals are restricted in Vietnam and need a licence or declaration before import. Ask your consignee to confirm this for the exact product before you pack. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks the paperwork and carrier acceptance on the UAE side, and our article on dangerous goods classes explains how classes work.
Air cargo from Dubai to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
Air cargo suits samples, spare parts, electronics and urgent stock. Fluent Cargo lists direct flights from Dubai International (DXB) to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) of about 7 hours 16 minutes, daily, and freighter flights from Al Maktoum (DWC) to Hanoi of about 6 hours 34 minutes. Total door-to-door time also depends on export screening, flight space and clearance in Vietnam.
A practical rule: for small, high-value shipments that are needed within days, compare air against the sea freight plus the cost of holding stock. Our air cargo service from Dubai handles the booking, screening and documents.
Vietnam customs: how clearance works
Vietnam's customs authority runs the VNACCS/VCIS system. Your consignee, or a customs broker acting for them, files the import declaration electronically. The system then puts the declaration into one of three channels.
| Channel | What happens | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Green | No document check or physical inspection | Pay any duty and taxes, then the goods are cleared |
| Yellow | Customs checks the documents | Submit the documents customs asks for |
| Red | Customs checks the documents and inspects the goods | Submit documents and present the cargo for examination |
The importer then pays duties and fees and receives clearance. Inspection is based on risk management, so a clean history and consistent documents help your consignee land in the green channel more often.
Which documents does Vietnam customs need?
The Vietnam Trade Portal, run by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, lists the customs dossier for imported goods. The core set for a normal commercial shipment is below.
| Document | When it is needed | Who prepares it |
|---|---|---|
| Customs declaration (electronic) | Always | Consignee or its broker in Vietnam |
| Commercial invoice | When the buyer pays the seller (some processing contracts and free goods are exempt) | Seller in the UAE |
| Bill of lading or air waybill | Sea and air shipments | Carrier, from your shipping instructions |
| Packing list | Practical need for checks and CFS unpacking | Seller in the UAE |
| Certificate of origin | To claim CEPA or other preferential duty | Issued in the UAE |
| Import licence or permit | Goods on a licensing list | Consignee, from the relevant ministry |
| Specialized inspection certificate | Goods needing quality, food safety or quarantine checks | Consignee, from the inspecting body |
| List of machinery and equipment | Machines in Chapters 84, 85 or 90 shipped unassembled or in parts | Seller and consignee |
A rule that saves days: make the HS code, the description, the quantity and the weight identical on the invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin. Mismatches are a common reason for yellow or red channel checks.
Specialized inspection and import permits
Many goods need checks by a line ministry before or during clearance: food safety, plant and animal quarantine, product quality and some technical standards. The US International Trade Administration notes that around seven Vietnamese ministries and agencies set these standards. The consignee registers for the check, and customs uses the result in the clearance.
Import permits follow Decree 69/2018/ND-CP. Each ministry manages its own list of goods that need a licence, and the consignee applies through the National Single Window or the ministry portal. If your goods are on a list, the permit must be in place before customs will release them.
Vietnam import duty, VAT and the UAE-Vietnam CEPA
Vietnam charges import duty by HS code under its tariff schedules in Decree 26/2023/ND-CP, then VAT on top. Some goods also carry special consumption tax or environmental protection tax.
What the CEPA changes for UAE goods
The UAE-Vietnam CEPA (economic partnership agreement) was signed on 28 October 2024 and entered into force on 3 February 2026. The UAE Ministry of Economy says Vietnam will remove tariffs on 98.5% of UAE-originating goods. Vietnam set out its preferential schedule in Decree 143/2026/ND-CP, issued on 5 May 2026. Thomson Reuters reports that of 11,414 tariff lines, 3,569 became duty-free from day one, 6,468 have reduced duties, and 328 are excluded.
The key word is "originating". The preference applies only to goods that meet the CEPA rules of origin, backed by a certificate of origin. Goods made in another country and re-exported from Dubai do not qualify just because they ship from the UAE.
| Your goods | Likely duty basis in Vietnam | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Made in the UAE and meeting CEPA origin rules | CEPA preferential rate, often zero or reduced | Get the CEPA certificate of origin before the ship arrives |
| Made in the UAE but not meeting origin rules | Standard preferential (MFN) rate | Check the rule for your HS code before production |
| Made in a third country, re-exported from Dubai | MFN rate, or another agreement if the goods qualify under it | Use the origin country's documents, not a UAE origin claim |
| Excluded tariff lines | No CEPA preference | Budget the full MFN rate |
How much VAT is charged on imports?
Vietnam's standard VAT rate is 10%. Under National Assembly Resolution 204/2025/QH15 and Decree 174/2025/ND-CP, most goods that carry 10% VAT are taxed at 8% from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026. The Ministry of Finance confirms the cut applies at the import stage too. It does not apply to some groups, including metal products, mining products other than coal, and goods subject to special consumption tax other than petrol. Check your goods against the decree's appendices.
The reduced rate ends on 31 December 2026 unless Vietnam extends it. If your cargo lands in January 2027 or later, budget for 10% unless a new rule says otherwise.
Restricted and prohibited goods
Decree 69/2018/ND-CP sets the framework for goods that are banned or need a licence. Your consignee should confirm the status of every product before you ship. Common problem areas:
- Used goods. Many used consumer goods cannot be imported, and used vehicles face strict conditions.
- Used machinery and production lines. Age and technical rules apply under Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg.
- Food, plants and animal products. Quarantine and food safety checks apply.
- Chemicals, drugs and medical devices. These need permits from the relevant ministry.
- Telecom and radio equipment. Type approval or conformity rules can apply.
- Publications and cultural goods. These are checked for content.
Personal effects and household goods for people moving to Vietnam follow separate rules tied to the owner's residence status. This guide covers commercial cargo.
What drives the cost of shipping from Dubai to Vietnam?
We do not publish fixed prices because they change with every sailing. These are the factors that move your quote.
| Cost factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Ocean freight and surcharges | Set by the carrier per sailing; fuel and peak season surcharges change often |
| Container type and size | 20ft, 40ft, high cube, reefer, flat rack and open top are priced differently |
| Discharge port | Rates and inland costs differ between Cat Lai, Cai Mep and Hai Phong |
| Origin charges in the UAE | Trucking to the port, terminal handling, documentation and export declaration |
| Destination charges in Vietnam | Terminal handling, delivery order and CFS fees for LCL, paid by the consignee unless agreed |
| Duty and VAT | Depend on the HS code, origin and whether the CEPA rate applies |
| Cargo profile | DG, out-of-gauge and heavy pieces need special approvals and equipment |
| Time | Delays in clearance add demurrage, detention and storage |
Your Incoterm decides who pays which line. Our article on Incoterms 2020 for sea freight explains the split. For delays, see how demurrage and detention are charged.
How to ship from Dubai to Vietnam, step by step
This is how we handle a typical shipment. We book space with the carrier, prepare documents and arrange trucking and export clearance in the UAE. Your consignee or its clearing agent handles import clearance in Vietnam.
- Confirm the goods. Product description, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, value and the Incoterm agreed with the buyer.
- Check Vietnam's rules with the consignee. Licence, specialized inspection, labelling and whether the goods qualify for the CEPA rate.
- Choose port and mode. Cat Lai, Cai Mep or Hai Phong by sea, or SGN or HAN by air, based on the delivery address.
- Book space. We compare services and get carrier acceptance first for DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo.
- Prepare documents. Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and, for DG, the SDS and DG declaration. We check that the data matches across every document.
- Stuff and truck the container. We arrange the empty box, stuffing at your site or a warehouse, the seal and delivery to the terminal before the cut-off.
- Export declaration in the UAE. We file the export or re-export declaration with Dubai Customs.
- Release the bill of lading. We check the draft, then send the original or arrange a telex release or sea waybill as agreed.
- Import clearance in Vietnam. The consignee's broker files the VNACCS declaration, pays duty and VAT, and collects the delivery order from the carrier's agent.
- Delivery and empty return. The consignee's trucker delivers the box and returns the empty within free time.
[AMIR-FACT: One real Dubai to Vietnam shipment we handled: cargo type, mode, port pair and what we did, cleared for publication]
Checklist before you ship to Vietnam
- HS code agreed with the consignee for every item.
- Licence or permit status confirmed under Decree 69/2018/ND-CP.
- Specialized inspection registered if the goods need it.
- CEPA origin checked, and the certificate of origin applied for if the goods qualify.
- Invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin show the same data.
- Consignee in Vietnam has a broker ready to file the VNACCS declaration.
- Discharge port matches the delivery address.
- DG paperwork and carrier acceptance in place for any hazardous product.
- Used machinery checked against age and technical rules.
- Free time on the container agreed with the carrier.
- Cargo insurance arranged under the agreed Incoterm.
Common mistakes on the Vietnam lane
- Claiming CEPA on non-originating goods. Re-exported goods made elsewhere do not qualify, and a wrong claim can lead to duty reassessment.
- Sending the certificate of origin late. Without it at clearance, the consignee pays the higher rate.
- Mismatched documents. A different weight or description on the invoice and bill of lading pushes the declaration into a document check.
- Forgetting specialized inspection. Food, cosmetics and some equipment cannot clear until the check is done.
- Booking the wrong port. A box landed at Hai Phong for a Dong Nai factory means a long and costly truck move.
- Shipping used machinery without checking the rules. The goods can be refused entry.
- Assuming 8% VAT after 2026. The reduced rate ends on 31 December 2026 unless extended.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ship goods from Dubai to Vietnam?
Book sea freight from Jebel Ali to Cat Lai, Cai Mep or Hai Phong, or air cargo to SGN or HAN. Prepare an invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin, and make sure your consignee's broker files the import declaration in VNACCS.
Which port in Vietnam should I ship to from Dubai?
Choose by delivery address. Cat Lai or Cai Mep serve Ho Chi Minh City and the southern industrial provinces. Hai Phong serves Hanoi and the north.
How long does sea freight take from Dubai to Vietnam?
It depends on the carrier and on transshipment. Schedule tools show figures from about 18 days to over 26 days port to port, so confirm the transit of the actual service when you book.
Do UAE goods pay import duty in Vietnam?
Goods that originate in the UAE and meet the CEPA rules of origin can get a zero or reduced rate. The CEPA has been in force since 3 February 2026, and Vietnam removes tariffs on 98.5% of UAE-originating goods, some in stages.
What is the VAT rate on imports into Vietnam?
The standard rate is 10%. Most 10%-rated goods are taxed at 8% from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026, including at import, with exclusions such as metal products and goods subject to special consumption tax.
What documents do I need to ship from Dubai to Vietnam?
You need a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and a certificate of origin if you claim a preferential rate. Restricted goods also need an import licence or an inspection certificate.
Can I ship dangerous goods from Dubai to Vietnam?
Yes, under the IMDG Code by sea or IATA rules by air. You need an SDS, a DG declaration, correct packaging and carrier acceptance, and some chemicals need an import permit in Vietnam.
Can I ship used machinery to Vietnam?
Yes, but used machinery and production lines must meet age and technical conditions under Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg. Check the rules before you buy or ship.
What are the green, yellow and red channels in Vietnam customs?
VNACCS assigns each declaration a channel. Green clears after payment, yellow means a document check, and red means a document check plus physical inspection.
Get a quote for shipping from Dubai to Vietnam
Send us the cargo details, the delivery city in Vietnam and your Incoterm, and we will come back with a routing and a price. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a breakbulk, DG or project shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- UAE Ministry of Economy: UAE-Vietnam CEPA (signing, entry into force, tariff coverage)
- Thomson Reuters: Vietnam implemented UAE CEPA, Decree 143/2026/ND-CP (tariff lines)
- Vietnam Trade Portal (MOIT): Customs procedure for imported goods, VNACCS
- Vietnam Trade Portal (MOIT): Import permit licence, Decree 69/2018/ND-CP
- Vietnam Trade Portal (MOIT): Inspection of exported and imported goods
- Ministry of Finance of Vietnam: VAT reduction under Decree 174/2025/ND-CP, import stage
- Government of Vietnam: full text of Resolution 204/2025/QH15 on VAT reduction
- US International Trade Administration: Vietnam import tariffs (Decree 26/2023/ND-CP)
- US International Trade Administration: Vietnam import requirements and documentation
- Saigon Newport Corporation: Three Vietnamese seaports in global rankings (2025 throughput)
- Fluent Cargo: Dubai to Ho Chi Minh City schedules (air and ocean)
- Fluent Cargo: UAE to Vietnam schedules (air)
- Wikipedia (Vietnamese): Cat Lai Port (location on the Dong Nai River)
- DP World: Jebel Ali Port
Reviewed: 10 November 2026