Moving to Vietnam
Packing a shipment for Vietnam
Your relocation company will be able to provide you with the most current regulations for making a shipment of household goods to Vietnam. The following are guidelines only.
At the time of packing ensure a clear and detailed packing list is completed. State clearly the contents of any boxes packed by yourself. The import permit is based on the packing list received by the shipper. If the list matches the content of the boxes, the clearance procedure is much simpler. A valuation list of items to be packed is now required. It is best to obtain a valuation list from your removal company or from the moving company in Vietnam before packing your shipment. It is preferable to import only one of each major appliance; additional items attract extra duty. It is permissible to import similar items under different descriptions, for example, stereo, sound system, music centre, tape recorder, etc.
If you are bringing antique items into Vietnam, be sure to list them specifically on your valuation list. It is also advisable to have two copies of a photograph of each antique piece…one copy you will leave with the Ministry of Culture when you arrive and one copy you hold on to until you leave Vietnam (to confirm that the object was not purchased in Vietnam).
It is recommended not to include small, high value electronics, for example, video cameras, cameras and lap top computers as the duty is approx. 50% of the customs assessed value on these items. They can be hand carried and no duty will be assessed on them. They should be declared on the Customs Declaration form at the time of entry and a photocopy kept for future reference.
Pack all audio/visual material separately i.e., in one or several boxes and not mixed with clothes, and crockery, as these will require a separate clearance inspection through the Ministry of Culture. This includes CDs, videos, cassette tapes, books and photographs. Provide a detailed inventory of books, CDs, and videos.
Hand carry computer diskettes. With the number of diskettes now being reviewed by the Ministry of Culture it is a possible avenue for a virus to gain entry into a computer system. • NB: Some CD-Rom encyclopedia can contain erroneous remarks about Vietnam and its history and thus can be confiscated along with books concerning the country’s history. Sexually explicit material of any description is also not permitted. If included and discovered the items will be confiscated and heavy fines issued.
Medical Insurance
Clarify before you arrive in HCMC exactly what your medical insurance covers (for example, not all policies cover dental treatment). You may need to arrange for additional coverage. It is suggested that you inform yourself about the differences between medical air evacuation and repatriation in the event of a serious accident or illness. Situations and policies warrant different approaches to the patient’s care. Discuss this with your insurer.
What to bring
Although most goods are available, you can’t always find exactly what you want when you need it. We recommend you consider packing the following items:
Clothes
• Socks (cotton, particularly larger sizes)
• Cotton underwear
• Lightweight umbrellas
• Shoes; it’s difficult to buy shoes over size 8 and there is a limited range of styles; local cobblers will custom make shoes
• House shoes; it’s usual for people not to wear shoes indoors even when visiting someone’s house. Some homes will offer you house slippers to wear, but you can go barefoot or take your own slippers
• Any clothes in large sizes (tailors are reasonable and quality can be quite good – they can copy ANYTHING)
Kitchen
• Baking tins, trays, cookie cutters, cake tins (vanilla extract, flavorings)
• Herbs and spices (more and more available locally all the time)
Cosmetics & Pharmaceuticals
• Optical backups if you already have your prescription glasses. There are opticians here – quality of ‘progressives’ is debatable. Bring spare contact lenses and cleaning fluid (Bausch & Lomb, Renu can be found at some opticians but is not always available)
• Makeup and skin cleansing products, if you have particular brand preferences
• High UV-blocking sunscreen lotions
• Head lice shampoo & combs for children
• Tampons - available but are expensive
• Pharmaceuticals (or bring the generic names CLEARLY) written
For your pets
Bring a leash, collar, worm tablets, flea collars, vitamin tablets, and medication for ear mites
Various
• Books - limited supply to purchase (ILV has an extensive library; ordering through Amazon is also a possibilty)
• Books & children’s educational videos - limited supply available
• Shoe polish; only black/brown available locally
• Concrete nails for picture hanging
• Motorbike helmet - though locally produced helmets available
• Bicycle helmet
• Photo albums are available; adhesive corners or magic dots are not