Vietnam to USA: What You Can and Can't Bring Home

You’ve spent two weeks exploring Vietnam and your suitcase is overflowing with coffee, ceramics, silk, and every souvenir from Ben Thanh Market. Now the big question: what can you actually ship home to the US?

The good news is that most Vietnamese souvenirs ship to America without issues. But there are some rules worth knowing — especially around food items and customs duties.

What ships easily to the US

These items clear US customs without problems:

Coffee and tea are the most popular items we ship to America. Vietnamese coffee (Trung Nguyen, Highlands, etc.) ships perfectly when it’s commercially sealed. Ground coffee, whole beans, and instant coffee are all fine. Same for dried tea.

Textiles and clothing — ao dai, silk scarves, tailored suits, and fabrics have zero restrictions. Just declare them as clothing on the customs form.

Ceramics and pottery from Bat Trang or other villages ship well with proper packing. We wrap each piece individually with bubble wrap and pack them in rigid boxes.

Art and paintings — oil paintings, lacquer art, watercolors, and prints are all allowed. Modern art has no export restrictions from Vietnam.

Lacquerware — bowls, boxes, trays, and decorative pieces. Lightweight and easy to ship.

Wooden crafts and souvenirs — finished wood products are fine. No restrictions on carved items, chopsticks, or decorative pieces.

What has restrictions

Spices and dried food can be tricky. Commercially packaged spices like pepper, cinnamon, and star anise are generally allowed. Fish sauce in sealed bottles (under 500ml) usually clears customs. But the FDA does inspect food imports, and anything that looks homemade or unpackaged may be held.

Alcohol requires permits for commercial quantities. Small amounts (1-2 bottles) of Vietnamese rice wine or spirits for personal use are generally accepted but may incur duties.

Cosmetics and traditional medicines — small quantities for personal use are usually fine. Larger amounts may trigger FDA review.

What you cannot ship

Meat products — no dried meat, jerky, or meat-based snacks. This includes the popular Vietnamese dried pork floss (ruoc). US customs takes this seriously.

Fresh food — no fresh fruit, vegetables, or perishable items.

Plants and seeds — no living plants, seeds, soil, or untreated wood. USDA restrictions are strict.

Animal products — no ivory, coral, turtle shell, or products from endangered species. These violate CITES regulations and can result in serious penalties.

Antiques — items made before 1945 require an export license from Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture. Without the license, they may be seized at either end.

The de minimis change

Important update: the US eliminated its $800 de minimis threshold in August 2025. Previously, shipments under $800 entered duty-free. Now, most shipments from Vietnam will incur customs duties, regardless of value.

Duty rates vary by product category — typically 0-25% for personal goods. The carrier (DHL, FedEx, or UPS) handles customs clearance and will contact you if any duties are owed.

Tips for a smooth shipment

1. Keep all receipts — customs requires declared values, and having receipts speeds up the process.
2. Declare accurately — under-declaring values can cause delays, fines, or seizure. Honest declarations are always the safest approach.
3. Choose sealed packaging — for any food items, commercially sealed packaging is essential. Loose or repackaged items are more likely to be inspected or rejected.
4. Ship coffee confidently — it’s our most shipped item to the US. We handle thousands of coffee shipments per year without issues.

How we help

We handle everything: hotel pickup in HCMC and Da Nang, professional packing, customs documentation, and door-to-door delivery via DHL, FedEx, or UPS. Most shipments arrive in 3-5 business days.

Not sure about a specific item? Message us on WhatsApp — we’ll tell you right away if it can be shipped.