Is shipping to the United States difficult? Not if you prepare in the right order. Most delays we see — cargo held by US Customs, unexpected duty bills, refused deliveries — come from a handful of avoidable mistakes made before the goods leave Vietnam. Use this checklist before every shipment.
Step 1 — Confirm the goods are allowed
Some products are banned outright; many more are restricted and need approval from a US agency. Check early for:
- Food, supplements, cosmetics, medical devices — FDA rules (facility registration, Prior Notice for food).
- Children's products and electronics — CPSC and FCC requirements.
- Wood products and furniture — Lacey Act declaration for certain species.
- Lithium batteries, perfumes, aerosols — dangerous goods rules for air transport.
- Counterfeit or branded goods without authorisation — seized at the border.
Step 2 — Classify the product (HTS code)
The US uses a 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code. It decides the duty rate, which agencies get involved and whether extra tariffs apply. A wrong code is the single most expensive error under DDP, because the seller pays the difference.
Step 3 — Prepare the documents
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, description, origin, Incoterm |
| Packing list | Cartons, weights, dimensions — must match the invoice |
| Bill of lading / air waybill | Contract of carriage and title to the goods |
| ISF data (ocean) | Must be filed 24 hours before loading at the origin port |
| Agency certificates | FDA, CPSC, Lacey Act etc. when applicable |
Step 4 — Choose the transport mode
- Express courier: samples and parcels under ~70 kg; fastest, most expensive per kg.
- Air freight: urgent cargo from about 100 kg; 4–8 days door to door.
- Sea LCL: from about 1–2 m³ up to ~15 m³; economical but slower.
- Sea FCL: full containers; lowest cost per unit. See FCL or LCL?
Step 5 — Pack for a long journey
Cargo to the US is handled many times. Use export-grade cartons, palletise where possible, and make sure any wooden pallets carry the ISPM 15 heat-treatment stamp. Our packing and labelling guide covers the details.
Step 6 — Measure and calculate chargeable weight
Air and express are charged on the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight (L × W × H in cm ÷ 6,000 for air freight; ÷ 5,000 for most couriers). Light but bulky goods can cost double what you expect.
Step 7 — Get consignee and importer details right
Full name, street address, ZIP code, phone and email of the receiver — plus who will act as Importer of Record. Under DDU the buyer is the importer; under DDP your forwarder arranges it.
Step 8 — Agree who pays duties: DDP or DDU
Since the US suspended duty-free "de minimis" treatment for low-value parcels in 2025, almost every shipment now attracts duties. Decide in advance who pays them — read DDP vs DDU and what a DDP price includes.