Vietnam has become one of Australia’s fastest-growing trade partners in Southeast Asia. The volume of goods moving between the two countries increases year on year – textiles, footwear, furniture, and seafood coming into Australia, while Australian agricultural products and resources head to Vietnam.

The AANZFTA trade agreement covers Vietnam-Australia trade. Many goods now enter duty-free or at reduced rates. That makes the economics work better for both importers and exporters.

Most businesses on this route are importing from Vietnam – particularly textiles, furniture, and consumer goods. But Australian exporters are finding strong demand too, especially for agricultural products. TSL handles both directions and has managed this route for over 25 years.

Here’s what you need to know about freight, customs, and the trade agreement benefits.

Why Businesses Import from Vietnam

Vietnam’s manufacturing sector has grown rapidly over the past two decades. The country produces everything from garments to electronics, furniture to seafood. Labour costs are competitive, quality standards have improved, and with AANZFTA duty reductions, the mathematics makes sense.

AANZFTA Changes the Economics

The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement covers trade between Australia and Vietnam. Under this agreement, duties on many goods have been eliminated or significantly reduced. Textiles, footwear, furniture, electronics – numerous categories now benefit from preferential rates.

To claim AANZFTA benefits, you need proper documentation from your Vietnamese supplier. We’ll cover that in detail in the customs section.

What Gets Imported

Textiles and garments lead Vietnam’s exports to Australia. Vietnam manufactures clothing for global brands and local labels alike – from basic apparel to technical textiles. Australian importers source across all quality levels and price points.

Footwear represents another major category. Vietnamese factories produce shoes for international brands and private label businesses. The range covers sports shoes, casual footwear, work boots, and fashion items.

Furniture – both indoor and outdoor – moves in significant volumes. Vietnamese manufacturers work with timber, rattan, and modern materials. Products range from mass-market items to mid-range designs.

Seafood is substantial. Vietnam produces farmed prawns, fish, and other seafood products for Australian retail and food service markets. Frozen and processed seafood travels by refrigerated containers.

Coffee ranks high on the list. Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer. Australian roasters and retailers import Vietnamese coffee beans in volume.

Electronics and components represent growing categories. Vietnam assembles electronics for global companies, and Australian businesses import both components and finished products.

Wood products, rubber goods, and plastics round out the main import categories. The range is broad – whatever you’re sourcing, there’s likely a Vietnamese manufacturer producing it.

Sea Freight: The Workhorse for Vietnam-Australia Trade

Sea freight handles the bulk of cargo between Vietnam and Australia. It’s slower than air, but for most commercial imports, the cost difference makes it the standard choice.

Full Container Load (FCL)

FCL means you’re booking an entire container. Your goods travel alone, with no other cargo mixed in. Standard containers come in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes, with 40-foot high cube versions for lighter, bulkier items.

FCL makes economic sense when you’re shipping enough volume to make use of the container space. Below a certain threshold, you’re paying for emptiness. We can calculate the crossover point for your specific cargo.

Container rates fluctuate with market conditions – demand levels, fuel costs, seasonal patterns. The period before Tet (Vietnamese New Year, usually in January or February) typically sees higher volumes and tighter equipment availability as businesses rush to move goods before the holiday shutdown.

Less than Container Load (LCL)

LCL means your cargo shares container space with other shipments. Your goods get consolidated with other businesses’ cargo at the Vietnamese port, shipped together, then separated at the Australian destination.

This works well for smaller shipments, or when you’re testing products or suppliers before committing to full container volumes. The trade-off is additional handling time at both ends for consolidation and deconsolidation, plus slightly higher risk of damage from extra handling.

Key Ports on the Vietnam-Australia Route

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in southern Vietnam handles the majority of container traffic. The Cat Lai and Tan Cang terminals process most of the cargo, with Cai Mep-Thi Vai deepwater port handling larger vessels. This is where most Australian-bound cargo originates, as the manufacturing concentration in southern Vietnam is highest.

Haiphong in northern Vietnam serves Hanoi and the northern industrial zones. It’s the main gateway for cargo from northern Vietnamese manufacturers.

Da Nang in central Vietnam provides access to manufacturers in the central regions, though volumes are lower than Ho Chi Minh and Haiphong.

In Australia, most Vietnam cargo arrives through Port Botany in Sydney, Port of Melbourne, Port of Brisbane, Fremantle in Perth, or Port Adelaide. Your choice depends on your warehouse location or customer base.

Air Freight from Vietnam

Air freight costs substantially more than sea. But sometimes speed justifies the extra expense.

Time-sensitive shipments – restocking bestsellers, meeting launch dates, urgent production components – require air freight. Transit time drops from weeks to days.

High-value, low-weight items often make economic sense for air. Fashion garments for quick-turn seasons, electronics components, pharmaceutical products, high-quality coffee samples commonly travel by air. The faster transit reduces working capital tied up in shipping.

Perishables need air freight. Fresh produce, flowers, and certain seafood products can’t survive the longer ocean journey.

Air freight pricing is based on actual weight or dimensional weight, whichever is higher. Bulky but light cargo may cost more than you expect because of the space it occupies.

Vietnam’s main air cargo hubs are Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, both with direct air freight connections to major Australian airports.

Understanding Shipping Costs

The initial freight quote rarely tells the complete story. Understanding the full landed cost helps you budget accurately.

Several factors drive freight rates. Weight and volume are primary – you’re charged based on whichever measurement works out higher. Hazardous goods or special-handling items attract surcharges. The specific route matters, as does the time of year – peak seasons before Tet and Christmas see higher rates.

Beyond base freight, expect charges at origin in Vietnam (collection, export clearance, port handling, documentation) and at destination in Australia (import clearance, biosecurity inspections where required, port handling, delivery). Fuel surcharges and currency adjustment factors are standard.

Port-to-port quotes look cheaper than door-to-door, but you’re responsible for the collection and delivery legs yourself. We provide complete door-to-door pricing so you know your true landed cost.

Customs Clearance and AANZFTA Benefits

AANZFTA can reduce or eliminate duties on your imports. But the paperwork needs to be right.

Claiming AANZFTA Duty Benefits

To claim preferential duty rates under AANZFTA, three things must align:

First, your goods must genuinely originate in Vietnam. Most manufactured products qualify, but some items only assembled in Vietnam using imported components may not meet rules of origin requirements. Your Vietnamese supplier can confirm origin status.

Second, you need a valid Certificate of Origin issued by an authorised Vietnamese body. This document proves your goods meet AANZFTA’s origin requirements. Your supplier arranges this, but they need to understand the process. Ensure they’re familiar with AANZFTA documentation.

Third, your customs entry must correctly declare the AANZFTA preference. Our customs brokers handle this part, ensuring you claim all duty savings you’re entitled to.

Many importers pay full duties on goods that qualify for reduced or zero rates under AANZFTA. They either don’t know about the benefits, or their supplier doesn’t provide proper documentation. Don’t leave money on the table.

Australian Border Force Requirements

Every commercial import must be declared to the Australian Border Force through the Integrated Cargo System before arrival. Lower-value goods use simplified procedures. Higher-value shipments require formal customs entries with complete documentation.

You’ll need a commercial invoice (with seller and buyer details, goods description, HS codes, values, Incoterms), packing list (carton counts, weights, dimensions), and bill of lading or airway bill. For AANZFTA benefits, add the Certificate of Origin.

Depending on what you’re importing, additional permits, certificates, or test reports may be required. Our customs team advises on specific requirements for your goods.

Biosecurity Requirements

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry enforces strict biosecurity controls. Certain goods from Vietnam require permits, treatment, or inspection before entering Australia.

BICON – the Biosecurity Import Conditions system – tells you what’s required for your specific goods. Check it before you ship, not after your cargo arrives.

High-risk categories include food and agricultural products (seafood requires specific permits and inspections), timber and wood products, plant-based materials, and wooden packaging. Coffee imports need appropriate clearances. Furniture with timber components may require fumigation certificates.

GST and Remaining Duties

GST applies at 10% on most imports, calculated on customs value plus any duties. Even if your goods enter duty-free under AANZFTA, you still pay GST.

For goods not covered by AANZFTA, standard customs duties apply based on HS code classification. Getting the classification right matters – it determines your duty rate and your AANZFTA eligibility.

Exporting from Australia to Vietnam

While imports dominate the Vietnam-Australia trade lane, Australian businesses are finding growing demand in the Vietnamese market.

What Australia Exports to Vietnam

Agricultural products lead Australian exports to Vietnam. Wheat moves in large volumes – Vietnam imports grain for its food processing industry. Cotton supplies Vietnamese textile manufacturers. Dairy products serve Vietnam’s growing consumer market, particularly in urban centres.

Meat products have growing demand. Australian beef particularly has a quality reputation in Vietnamese markets.

Minerals and resources form another major category. Coal, iron ore, and other minerals supply Vietnam’s industrial sector.

Machinery and equipment sell into specific sectors. Australian-made agricultural machinery, mining equipment, and industrial equipment find buyers across Vietnam.

Education services represent a significant non-goods export. Vietnamese students represent one of Australia’s largest international student cohorts.

Export Documentation and Requirements

Exporting to Vietnam means meeting Vietnamese customs and inspection requirements. Food and agricultural products face the strictest rules – specific registration, labelling, and certification requirements vary by product category.

Generally, you’ll need commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin from the Australian side. Agricultural exports require health certificates, quarantine certificates, and product-specific documentation.

Your Vietnamese buyer or their customs broker handles import clearance at their end. But having your export documentation correct from the start avoids delays and cost overruns.

TSL works with partners across Vietnam to coordinate smooth delivery to your buyers, whether they’re in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or Da Nang.

How TSL Manages Vietnam-Australia Shipments

We handle logistics in both directions – importing from Vietnam or exporting from Australia.

For imports, our partner agents in Vietnam collect your cargo from your supplier, handle Vietnamese export documentation, and arrange optimal shipping options. On the Australian side, our licensed customs brokers prepare your import entries, ensure AANZFTA benefits are claimed correctly, liaise with ABF and DAFF on biosecurity requirements, and arrange delivery anywhere across Australia.

For exports, we collect from your Australian location, handle export documentation and clearance, book the freight, and work with our Vietnam partners to deliver to your buyer.

When issues arise – vessel delays, documentation queries, unexpected inspections – we resolve them. We’ve managed this route for over 25 years. We know how to fix problems quickly.

You get real-time tracking. When you call, you speak to someone who knows your shipment.

What We Need to Quote Your Shipment

To provide an accurate quote, we need: what you’re shipping (product description and HS codes if available), pickup and delivery locations, approximate weight and volume, and whether you need AANZFTA documentation support.

We’ll provide a complete door-to-door quote covering freight, customs clearance, and delivery. No surprises when your goods arrive.

If you’re not sure about HS codes, AANZFTA eligibility, or biosecurity requirements for your products, we can guide you. It’s what we do.

Get in Touch

Importing from Vietnam? Exporting Australian products? Either way, talk to us.

Contact TSL Australia:
Phone: 03 9533 8886
Request a quote

We’ll respond within 24 hours with a complete quote for your shipment.