How do you import household goods to Vietnam in 2026?

Employer-sponsored foreigners with a work permit (often at least one year remaining) and a business visa or temporary residence card are the usual personal-effects path. Brokers also collect passport pages and entry stamps, the employer's Vietnamese business licence, a power of attorney, and a legible English inventory. Certified true copies may be required for some offices.

At the airport, complete the Arrival-Departure Card and mark unaccompanied baggage so each air or sea shipment has a matching stamped card. Clearance generally cannot finish until you have entered Vietnam at least once with that card. Air shipments are often expected within about 30 days of your arrival; sea shipments commonly need to arrive within about six months of the work-permit issue date. Missing the Arrival-Departure Card can trigger substantial extra duty.

New goods in original packaging, commercial quantities, weapons, narcotics, and many restricted cultural or political materials fail personal-effects treatment. Alcohol and cigarettes have small duty-free allowances. Cars and motorbikes need a separate customs and registration track, not a furniture exemption: Register a vehicle. Pets never ride inside the household file: Bring pets.

Settle a lease and temporary residence reporting so delivery addresses match immigration records: How to rent a home. Legalise origin documents when Customs or your employer asks: Apostille documents.