Shipping from Dubai to VietnamShipping from Dubai to Vietnam, by air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to Vietnam for businesses. We fly air cargo from DXB to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and ship FCL and LCL sea freight from Jebel Ali to Cat Lai, Cai Mep and Haiphong. We prepare export papers and check what the Vietnamese importer needs on VNACCS and for specialised inspections before the cargo leaves Dubai.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Dubai to Vietnam at a glance
Southern Vietnam is served by Cat Lai and Cai Mep near Ho Chi Minh City; the north by Haiphong near Hanoi.
- Flight time
- About 7 h DXB to Ho Chi Minh City
- Sea
- Jebel Ali to Cai Mep or Cat Lai
- Customs
- General Department of Vietnam Customs
- System
- VNACCS
Airports and seaports in Vietnam we ship to
Pick the south or the north based on the buyer; trucking between them is long.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | SGN | Ho Chi Minh City's international airport | |
| Airport | HAN | Hanoi's international airport | |
| Seaport | VNSGN | Ho Chi Minh City's busiest container terminal | |
| Seaport | VNCMT | Deep-water terminals for large ships | |
| Seaport | VNHPH | Northern Vietnam's main port |
Air, sea to Vietnam
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXB to SGN or HAN | About 1 to 2 days, plus clearance | Parts, electronics, samples | |
| Sea freight FCL | Jebel Ali to Cai Mep, Cat Lai or Haiphong | About 2 to 4 weeks, service dependent | Plastics, metals, stock |
| Sea freight LCL | Jebel Ali consolidation to Ho Chi Minh City | Longer than FCL | Smaller loads |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to Vietnam
- Emirates SkyCargo
We confirm current sailings and any transshipment for each booking. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Customs in Vietnam: what the importer needs
The Vietnamese importer, through a customs broker, declares the goods on VNACCS.
| Item | In Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | General Department of Vietnam Customs |
| Declaration | Electronic declaration on VNACCS/VCIS |
| Importer registration | Vietnamese enterprise code and digital signature |
| Duty and tax | Import duty by tariff code, plus VAT (standard 10%, with temporary reductions on some goods) |
| Trade agreement | No UAE-Vietnam trade agreement in force that we can confirm |
Vietnam has applied temporary VAT reductions on some goods; the broker confirms the current rate.
Approvals to check before booking
Many products face specialised inspection by a ministry before release.
- 01
Many goods are checked by a ministry for quality or safety.
- 02
Health products
Medicines, cosmetics and medical devices need Ministry of Health approval.
- 03
Food safety
Food imports face safety checks.
- 04
Used machinery
Used machinery faces age and technical limits.
- 05
Telecom approval
Radio and telecom equipment needs certification.
- 06
VNACCS data must match the invoice.
Documents for shipping to Vietnam
Send these with your booking. Regulated goods need inspection paperwork ready on arrival.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, parties and HS codes |
| Packing list | Pieces, weights and marks for inspection |
| Transport contract and cargo release | |
| Exit clearance from the UAE, filed by us | |
| Certificate of origin | Supports the origin declared |
| For goods under specialised inspection |
Restricted or banned in Vietnam
- Used consumer goods (largely banned)
- Used machinery beyond age limits
- Counterfeit goods
- Weapons without a licence
- Narcotics
Check Vietnamese import rules for your HS code before buying.
What UAE businesses ship to Vietnam
Vietnam is a fast-growing South-East Asian market for UAE businesses.
- 01
Plastics and chemicals
UAE polymers for Vietnamese factories.
- 02
Aluminium and metals
UAE aluminium and metal products.
- 03
Parts and returns
Components and equipment, by air.
Dubai to Vietnam shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneUse the south for Ho Chi Minh City and the north for Hanoi. Cat Lai and Cai Mep serve the southern economic region, while Haiphong serves Hanoi and the north. Trucking between the two regions is long and costly, so choosing the right port matters more than small freight differences.
- Cai Mep takes the largest ships.
- Air lands at SGN or HAN.
It is a ministry check on regulated imports. Many goods must pass quality, safety or food checks by the responsible ministry before customs releases them. Goods wait at the port until the check is complete. Preparing documents in advance reduces waiting time and storage costs.
- Check if your product is covered.
- The importer arranges it.
Only within strict age and technical limits. Vietnam restricts imports of used machinery and equipment, with rules on age and technical standards, and largely bans used consumer goods. Some cases need assessment certificates. Check the rules with the importer before buying used equipment for Vietnam.
- Documents prove age and condition.
- Non-compliant goods are refused.
VAT is charged on the import value plus duty. The standard rate is 10%, and Vietnam has applied temporary reductions to 8% for some goods. Import duty depends on the tariff code. The customs broker declares the goods on VNACCS and confirms the rates for your shipment.
- Rates can change by decree.
- Keep invoices consistent.