Body Armour 🇻🇳 Vietnam
Body Armour import prohibited
Can I bring Body Armour into Vietnam?
Body Armour import prohibited
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Body Armour import prohibited. Enforcement in Vietnam carries fines from VND 10,000,000 to VND 2,000,000,000 under Penal Code Art. 250-251 (narcotics smuggling); Law on Customs Art. 8. In the reverse direction (taking body armour out of Vietnam): restricted — Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from Vietnam above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 10000000–2000000000 VND
- Criminal penalty
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
Leaving Vietnam with body armour
Ballistic vests and plates appear on dual-use export-control lists in every covered jurisdiction — typically controlled above NIJ Level IIIA / soft-armour civilian grades, with military-grade hard plates requiring an export licence from Vietnam. Several destinations also restrict body-armour import or civilian possession outright. Travellers carrying armour for legitimate work (journalism, NGO, security) should carry employer documentation and verify both export-licence requirements and destination-side possession rules before travel.
Do not carry civilian body armour, ballistic vests, or stab vests into Vietnam. Vietnam Customs requires an end-user permit issued only to law-enforcement / military / accredited security professionals; tourist carriage is treated as a weapons-import offence.
This page covers destination customs rules in Vietnam. Whether you can carry body armour through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Body Armour rules in other countries
Body Armour
🇺🇸 United States
Body Armour restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Body Armour
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import
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🇦🇺 Australia
Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import
Body Armour
🇯🇵 Japan
Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import
Body Armour
🇸🇬 Singapore
Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import
Body Armour
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import