🇺🇸 United States vs 🇻🇳 Vietnam
Side-by-side customs reference: duty-free allowance, de minimis, VAT, restricted and prohibited categories, and customs authority.
| 🇺🇸 United States | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Customs authority | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) | General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) |
| VAT / GST | n/a | 10% |
| De minimis (USD) | USD 800 | USD 43 |
| Cash declaration (USD) | USD 10000 | USD 5000 |
| Duty-free alcohol (L) | 1 | 1.5 |
| Duty-free cigarettes | 200 | 400 |
| Duty-free personal goods (USD) | USD 800 | USD 700 |
| Prohibited categories | Narcotics and controlled substances; Counterfeit goods; Obscene material; Products made with forced or child labor; Endangered species products (CITES) | Narcotics and psychotropic substances; Pornographic materials; Publications and materials against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Counterfeit currency and goods; Firecrackers |
| Restricted categories | Firearms and ammunition (requires permits/licenses); Certain agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, meats — inspection required); Trademarked goods (limited personal-use quantities); Prescription medications (personal-use quantities only); Alcohol (state regulations apply; requires importer license for commercial quantities) | Firearms and weapons (Ministry of Public Security permit required); Explosives and flammable materials; Pharmaceuticals and medical devices (Ministry of Health approval required); Agricultural products (quarantine certificate required); Vehicles (Ministry of Transport approval and registration) |
| Known scams | Fake ESTA submission websites that charge inflated fees ($50-$100 instead of the official US$21). Always use the official esta.cbp.dhs.gov domain. • Phishing 'CBP refund' emails or texts claiming a customs payment is owed. CBP does not collect duty by email link. Verify any notice through the official portal. | Unofficial e-visa sites charging USD 50-100 for the USD 25 government fee. Use only evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. |
Detailed pages: United States • Vietnam
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