How much is shipping from Vietnam to the US? If you’re a wholesaler or importer sourcing from Vietnam, knowing your freight costs is essential for protecting your margins and delivery timelines.
In 2025, shipping rates vary based on method, weight, and urgency, whether you’re using air freight, sea freight, or express courier services. This guide breaks down current costs, key factors that impact pricing, hidden fees to watch for, and smart ways to save.
Ready to ship smarter from Vietnam to the U.S.? Let’s dive in.
Quick Summary
- Shipping costs vary by method, weight, volume, and delivery urgency.
- Air freight: $6–$12/kg — ideal for small, urgent shipments (5–10 days).
- Sea freight (LCL/FCL): $250–$350 per CBM or $1,500–$3,000 per container, best for bulk orders (15–30 days).
- Express courier (DHL/UPS/FedEx): $30–$50/kg, fastest but costliest, not ideal for wholesale.
- Hidden costs to watch for: customs duties, fuel surcharges, ISF filing, storage/demurrage fees.
Why More Western Buyers Are Shipping from Vietnam
The global sourcing landscape has shifted. Western companies, especially wholesalers and eCommerce brands, are moving production to Vietnam thanks to:
- Competitive labor and manufacturing costs
- Diversified product categories like textiles, electronics, and furniture
- Improved logistics infrastructure
If you’re importing from Vietnam to the U.S., understanding the cost of shipping is critical for maintaining profit margins and ensuring timely delivery.
Top Factors That Impact Your Freight Costs
Shipping costs are influenced by several key elements. Being aware of these helps you plan and budget smarter:
1. Weight and Volume
- Chargeable weight is based on whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric weight.
- For light but bulky goods (like furniture), you’ll pay for space more than weight.
2. Shipping Method
- Sea Freight (FCL/LCL) is best for palletized or container-sized orders.
- Air Freight suits time-sensitive or high-value cargo.
- Express Couriers should only be used for samples or small, urgent packages.
3. Delivery Speed and Route
- Transit time can affect price significantly.
- Major U.S. ports like Los Angeles or Long Beach are cheaper than inland destinations like Chicago or Atlanta.
4. Customs Duties and Fees
- Duties are calculated based on your product’s HS code and declared value.
- Don’t forget ISF filing, customs bonds, and brokerage fees when budgeting.
What a Wholesale Shipping Scenario Looks Like
Let’s put things into real-world perspective. Imagine you’re a U.S.-based wholesaler importing garments from a factory in Ho Chi Minh City. You’ve just placed a bulk order of 500 lightweight jackets for the upcoming fall season.
Here’s how that shipment might break down:
- Weight: 150 kilograms
- Volume: 1.5 cubic meters (CBM)
- Incoterms: FOB (Freight on Board), meaning your supplier delivers to the nearest port in Vietnam, and you handle the rest
- Destination: Los Angeles, California
- Shipping Goal: Receive the shipment within 4 weeks
You have two viable options:
Option 1: Air Freight
- Cost: Approximately $1,500–$1,800
- Transit Time: 7–10 business days
- Best for: Time-sensitive shipments, product launches, or limited storage space
- Risk: Higher cost may eat into profit margins unless retail prices are strong
Option 2: Sea Freight (LCL)
- Cost: Approximately $450–$600
- Transit Time: 20–30 days, including customs clearance
- Best for: Stable inventory replenishment cycles
- Risk: Delays if container consolidation takes longer than expected
This is where strategic thinking matters. If your goal is to restock shelves ahead of peak season and you have lead time, sea freight offers major savings. On the other hand, if you’re behind schedule or launching a new line, air freight gets your goods faster, just at a cost.
Key takeaway: Wholesale shipping is about balancing urgency, cash flow, and freight efficiency. Think beyond just cost, timing and predictability matter just as much.
How to Get a Precise Shipping Quote
Many wholesalers make the mistake of requesting a shipping quote with vague or incomplete details, and that leads to surprises later. A precise and transparent quote starts with the right information.
Information You Must Provide:
- Pickup and delivery addresses (city + ZIP/postal codes)
- Total weight and volume of the shipment (in kg and CBM)
- Product type (including HS codes if possible)
- Type of packaging (cartons, pallets, etc.)
- Shipping terms (EXW, FOB, DDP, etc.)
- Preferred shipping method (air, sea, express)
- Delivery timeframe (urgent or flexible?)
The more specific you are, the better the forwarder can match you with the right carriers and lanes.
Avoid This Common Mistake:
Don’t rely on “ballpark” numbers from suppliers or online calculators alone. These are helpful for research, but not for booking. Always confirm final quotes with documentation in hand.
Hidden Fees You Should Plan For
One of the biggest surprises for new importers and even seasoned wholesalers is the stack of unseen fees that can inflate your final shipping cost.
Here are the most common hidden charges you might face, and how to prepare for them:
1. Origin Charges in Vietnam
Even if your supplier offers FOB terms, there can be added costs for:
- Export customs clearance
- Container loading (especially if using LCL)
- Trucking from factory to port
Solution: Clarify what your supplier includes in FOB, don’t assume all port fees are covered.
2. Destination Charges in the U.S.
These are often excluded from initial quotes:
- ISF filing (for sea shipments to the U.S.)
- Port handling fees
- Customs clearance brokerage
- Delivery to warehouse or fulfillment center
Solution: Ask your forwarder for a full “door-to-door” estimate, including final-mile delivery if needed.
3. Peak Season or Emergency Surcharges
Rates can spike during:
- Lunar New Year
- Back-to-school and holiday season (Q3–Q4)
- Post-pandemic supply chain disruptions
Solution: Plan your shipment schedules around known peak periods and book early to avoid last-minute rate hikes.
4. Storage & Demurrage
If your shipment isn’t picked up or cleared on time, you may face:
- Demurrage: Charged by the port when containers sit too long
- Storage: Charged by warehouses when cargo is unclaimed
Solution: Ensure you have customs paperwork ready before the goods land.
Bottom line: Unexpected charges can shrink your margins fast. A good freight partner will flag these in advance, so you’re never caught off guard.
How to Cut Costs Without Compromising Quality
Shipping from Vietnam to the U.S. doesn’t have to break your budget. Here’s how savvy wholesalers keep costs low without sacrificing speed, quality, or compliance:
1. Consolidate Shipments
If you’re placing orders from multiple suppliers, consolidate them into a single shipment. This allows you to:
- Reduce per-unit shipping costs
- Avoid minimum charge thresholds
- Simplify customs clearance
2. Choose the Right Shipping Mode for Each Order
- Use FCL sea freight for consistent, high-volume POs
- Rely on air freight only when product velocity or timelines require it
- Skip express couriers unless you’re sending samples or time-sensitive SKUs
3. Leverage Long-Term Freight Partnerships
Working with the same forwarder helps you:
- Secure better negotiated rates
- Benefit from faster documentation turnaround
- Get priority bookings during peak seasons
4. Understand Incoterms
When you agree to EXW (Ex Works), you’re responsible for everything from factory pickup to delivery. With FOB (Free on Board), the seller handles local port delivery. And DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) gives you an all-in-one solution, but usually at a premium.
Pick terms based on your logistics capability, not just convenience.
5. Avoid Last-Minute Bookings
Rush shipping = higher rates. If possible:
- Book sea freight 3–4 weeks in advance
- Book air freight 10–14 days in advance
- Avoid shipping during Q4 and major Vietnamese holidays
Remember: Reliable logistics doesn’t just save you money, it helps you deliver consistently, impress customers, and scale confidently.
Make Smarter Shipping Decisions from Vietnam to the U.S.
If you’re sourcing products from Vietnam and shipping them to the U.S., your freight strategy isn’t just a cost center, it’s a core part of your competitive edge.
Knowing how much is shipping from Vietnam to US can vary depending on your freight method, timing, and volume, but understanding these variables gives you the power to:
- Protect your profit margins
- Plan around seasonality and lead times
- Avoid costly delays or hidden fees
- Scale confidently with a reliable logistics partner
Whether you’re booking a full container load or shipping smaller batches by air, the key is working with someone who understands both ends of the supply chain, from the factory floor in Ho Chi Minh City to the delivery dock in Houston or New Jersey.
At VALO Vietnam, we help wholesalers, sourcing agents, and eCommerce sellers take control of their logistics, with transparent pricing, professional support, and global delivery you can count on.
Contact VALO Vietnam today!
- Call us 24/7: +84 79 928 7929
- Email: alo@valovietnam.com
FAQs About Vietnam to US Shipping Cost
- How much does it cost to ship 100 kg from Vietnam to the U.S.?
It depends on the method. Expect $1,000–$1,500 by air freight, or around $400–$600 by sea freight via LCL (Less than Container Load), depending on the volume and shipping season.
- Should I use air or sea freight for my wholesale shipment?
If you’re shipping more than 2 CBM or 150 kg, sea freight is usually more cost-effective. Use air freight only when speed is essential, like urgent restocks or product launches.
- What documents do I need to import goods from Vietnam to the U.S.?
Typically, you’ll need:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading (or Airway Bill)
- HS Codes
- Import Customs Bond (for U.S. entries above $2,500)
- What are common hidden charges when importing from Vietnam?
- Origin and destination port fees
- ISF filing for ocean freight
- Demurrage/storage fees if goods aren’t cleared quickly
- Fuel and congestion surcharges during peak seasons
A good forwarder will flag these up front, no surprises.
- How long does shipping from Vietnam to the U.S. take in 2025?
- Air freight: 5–10 business days
- Sea freight (FCL): 15–25 business days
- Sea freight (LCL): 20–35 business days
- Express courier: 3–5 business days (for small parcels)
Transit times vary based on destination, customs clearance, and shipping season.