WANT TO GO GLOBAL? HERE ARE 4 MANDATORY PREPARATION STEPS FOR VIETNAMESE BUSINESSES!
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1. Verify Legal Export Requirements (Your Company's Profile)
Many businesses enthusiastically secure international clients only to cancel contracts at the last minute due to legal hurdles in Vietnam. Before signing any agreement, check these two factors immediately:
Legal Status: Has your business registered for import-export operations? Your Business Registration Certificate must include the import-export function corresponding to your intended product category. Additionally, businesses need a Digital Signature (Token) registered with the General Department of Vietnam Customs to submit electronic customs declarations via the VNACCS/VCIS system.
2. Research and Overcome Technical Barriers in Target Markets
Just because a product is cleared to leave Vietnam does not mean it is permitted into the destination country. Each region has its own strict standards, especially major markets:
The US Market:
Food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics: Mandatory facility registration and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) certification are required.
Electronics: Requires FCC certification regarding electromagnetic interference.
3. Choose the Right International Commercial Terms (Incoterms) Based on Your Capacity
Incoterms are more than just three-letter acronyms; they dictate who pays for which leg of the journey and who bears the risk if cargo is damaged at sea. For beginners, carefully consider the three most common terms:
EXW (Ex Works): You only need to manufacture and pack the goods, then leave them at your warehouse. The buyer arranges their own pickup, handles export customs clearance, and manages transportation.
Assessment: The safest option for you, but harder to sell because foreign buyers rarely want to handle local customs formalities in Vietnam themselves.
4. Prepare a Standard Set of Export Documents (Down to the Last Character)
A single minor typo on your documentation can cause a shipment to be held up for weeks at the destination port, racking up thousands of dollars in storage fees (Demurrage/Detention). A basic, mandatory export document set must include:
Commercial Invoice: Clearly details the shipment's value, Incoterms, buyer/seller information, and payment terms. This serves as the basis for tax calculation.