In 2022, the USA imported $127,480.7 million worth of goods from Vietnam, up from under 102,00 million in 2021.
Vietnam continues to be one of the fastest-growing sourcing hubs in the Asia-Pacific, thanks to its cost-effective manufacturing, improving infrastructure, and strong trade ties with the US. In 2025, as global e-commerce competition intensifies and customer expectations for shipping speed increase, shipping from Vietnam to the US remains a top priority for American DTC and retail brands looking to scale profitably.
Whether you’re launching a new product line or optimizing your supply chain post-COVID and post-inflation, this updated 2025 guide walks you through:
The best freight options (air vs sea)
Time & cost estimates
Top ports to use
Documentation required to clear US customs
Strategic tips for choosing the right logistics partners
You’ll also need to figure out what ports to ship into and out of, and how much it’s going to cost.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the considerations at hand when shipping goods from Vietnam to the United States. We’ll cover:
Which freight method is right for your shipment type
What you need to get your vietnamese goods through US customs
Shipping Options from Vietnam to the US (2025 Update)
Sea freight – still the backbone of cross-Pacific trade
In 2025, ocean freight remains the most economical method for shipping bulk goods from Vietnam to the US. Despite lingering congestion in some US ports, sea freight has recovered from its pandemic-era disruption — though early booking remains essential.
Top US Ports: Los Angeles/Long Beach, Houston, New York/New Jersey
Transit time (port-to-port): 22–28 days
Door-to-door estimates: 35–42 days
Best for: Large shipments, inventory restocks, predictable demand cycles
Top Vietnam Ports: Hai Phong, Da Nang, Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh)
FCL vs LCL in 2025:
FCL (Full Container Load) is ideal if you’re shipping a consistent volume and want cost efficiency and faster transit.
LCL (Less than Container Load) has become more optimized with better digital coordination among 3PLs, but still takes longer due to reconsolidation.
With consumer expectations for 2–3 day delivery on the rise in 2025, air freight is often used for:
Product launches
Time-sensitive replenishments
Smaller, high-value items
Transit time: 4–7 days port-to-port
Door-to-door: 8–12 days
Main Airports in Vietnam: SGN (Ho Chi Minh), HAN (Hanoi)
Top US Airports for Air Cargo: LAX, JFK, ORD
Express freight – premium delivery, premium price
Services from DHL, FedEx, or UPS now offer 1–3 day express delivery from Vietnam to the US. Use it for samples, PR kits, or top-tier customer fulfillment.
Note: Prices in 2025 remain 15–20x higher than sea freight per kg.
Port-to-Port Estimates (2025)
Vietnam Port
US Port
Avg. Transit Time (Sea)
Hai Phong
Los Angeles
19–24 days
Ho Chi Minh City
Houston
25–30 days
Da Nang
New York
27–33 days
Pro Tip (2025): Book your shipments 6–8 weeks in advance to avoid rate spikes during peak seasons (e.g., Q3 restocks, Black Friday, Lunar New Year factory rush).
Customs clearance and paperwork in 2025
US customs has increased digital scrutiny in 2025, requiring tighter documentation for all imports — especially from high-volume exporters like Vietnam.
You will also be required to have the following documents:
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading (sea freight) or airway bill (air freight)
Get your HS code right — Use HTS Search Tool to identify the correct code & tariff rate.
Smart Shipping Tips for 2025
Tip #1: Compare offers from at least a few different freight forwarders before deciding on a method of shipment.
You want to make sure that you are working with someone who is knowledgeable about shipping and a trustworthy partner — a partner like that should be able to find the shipping method that works for you and the best rates.
Tip #2: Book shipping in advance to save big.
This is a no-brainer, but sometimes the best tips are simple: Book early so that you can use sea freight! Air freight can be as much as 12 to 16 times more expensive than sea freight, so think ahead to save whenever possible.
Tip #3: Get your HS code and customs documents together in advance.
Make sure that you understand what you need and how much its going to cost you. This will help you avoid hold-ups and extra fees at customs, and knowing your hs codes means calculating your taxes (and budgeting for them) can be done well in advance.
Searching for a freight forwarder you can trust? Look to Wayfindr
The options for freight forwarders and international carriers who can get your goods from Vietnam to the US are endless. As a busy business owner, you need to compare different companies to see what works bet for you, but you also don’t want to get overwhelmed by combing through too many choices.
We’d recommend comparing a few that you’ve hear positive feedback on from other businesses. Since you are here, we’d like to ask you to consider us at CBIP Logistics as one of your options.
As a fourth-party logistics company, we function as your international freight forwarder. Unlike traditional logistics companies who own their own assets (ships, warehouses, trucks), we instead work with a global network of providers who own those things.
That partner network is made up of a collection of logistics providers to fill every single role in your logistics operation. That includes land transit in Vietnam, freight forwarding to assist in customs clearance and shipping, ocean and air freight, and everything else you need to get your product from the factory to your customer’s doorstep.
Working with multiple carriers enables us to offer you the most competitive shipping rates on the market and fit your unique needs. Don’t waste your valuable time trying to find the right local carrier in Vietnam — Wayfindr (formerly CBIP Logistics) is here to help you.
Wayfindr takes the headache out of shipping goods to and from Vietnam. We provide a tailor-made service plan to meet your shipping needs and adapt to new changes.
Take a look at all the logistics services we provide and benefit from our network of trusted providers and experts on the ground in Vietnam. Contact us today and we will get back to you within 24 hours!
About Author
Nick Bartlett
Co-founder & Director
Nick co-founded Wayfindr to help brands design and build market-leading carbon-neutral D2C logistics. As Director, he brings 15+ years of experience across logistics, marketing, supply chain and retail from Asia Pacific to the world.
We’re here to make things simpler for you – we won’t spam your inbox or blow up your phone. When you enter your information:
(Within 24 hours) A member of the Wayfindr team will read your request and schedule a meeting by email. A more in-depth form will be attached to the email.
We will ask you about your needs and specific logistics requirements.
We will take your information and put together a plan designed for your business.
