VietNam » Customs » Duties and Allowances

As with many procedures in VietNam, the officials execute their duties conscientiously and what might be considered a 'joke' in your home country might not be treated with the same humour there.

Arrival in VietNam

On arrival in VietNam, you must complete white and blue duplicate arrival-departure forms.

The blue copy is to be kept with your passport at all times - it is best to secure it in your passport with a stapler.

Hotels, guest houses and private hosts must register Travellers staying overnight with the local police and these blue forms are essential for this purpose.

Lose the form and you will have great difficulty in departing!

Incoming Travellers must also complete the duplicate yellow and white Customs Declaration Form. The yellow copy is to remain with your passport until departure. Do not lose it! Again, staple it in to your passport.

Methods of entry - air, land and water

Entering VietNam by air, the Customs inspection is usually fast and cursory, unless the X-ray machine indicates that your backpack is filled with guns or heroin, you should get through the whole procedure in minutes.

Overland entry is different; expect a rigorous search.

Travellers baggage may be completely emptied. The impressions that VietNam really doesn't want any Travellers who don't arrive by air isn't really so, often these government employees are low-paid workers seeking to improve their 'pensions'.

Arrival by water is much like air as the Customs officers are used to Travellers.

Duty Free allowances

Duty Free allowances are:
- 200 cigarettes OR
- 50 cigars (Cuban cigars available in VietNam) OR
- 250g of tobacco;
- two litres of alcohol;
- perfume and jewellery for personal use;
- gifts not exceeding USD$50 in value;
- reasonable quantity of luggage and personal effects.

Allowances have not been changed for some years; if in doubt ask the Vietnamese Embassy issuing your visa.

Customs is liable to impose duty and taxes on gold bars, jewellery and diamonds - if Travellers don't need this stuff, then don't bring it.

Theoretically, declaring goods means that when Travellers leave, Travellers will have fewer hassles taking these items out with you. It also means that Travellers could be asked to show these items so that Customs officials know that they weren't sold on the black market, a market that is already well stocked by illegal importation by land routes, though in practice you will seldom be troubled unless you bring in an unreasonable amount of goods or something of great value.

Fortunately, Vietnamese Customs officials are more accommodating than in previous years now that they are used to Travellers bringing items of all descriptions.

Goods to be declared

On the yellow and white Customs Forms you are expected to declare:
- Cameras, camcorders and other electronic equipment not
- intended for personal use and to be removed from
- VietNam on departure;
- Currency: over US$3,000 or equivalent value;
- Jewellery not intended for personal use
- Video tapes (they may be retained for a few days for
- screening. A fee applies.)

Customs is liable to impose duty and taxes on gold bars, jewellery and diamonds - if Travellers don't need this stuff, then don't bring it.

Prohibited imports and exports

Customs authorities have seized documents, audio and video tapes, compact discs, literature, and personal letters they deem to be religious, pornographic, or political in nature or intended for religious or political proselytizing.

Furthermore, the authorities are also increasingly detaining and expelling individuals believed to be engaged in such activities. Travellers arriving at airports with videotapes or materials considered to be pornographic have been detained and heavily fined (up to US $2,000 for one videotape). Authorities may, and do on occasion, search rooms and luggage without notice or consent.

It is illegal to import weapons, including firearms, knives, and ammunition.

It is illegal to remove antiques from VietNam. When buying handicrafts, especially those that look old, ask the retailer for a receipt and declaration that the item may be exported.

Vietnamese law restricts the export of antiques, however the laws on the subject are vague and unevenly enforced. Antique objects are subject to inspection and seizure by customs authorities with no compensation made to owners/Travellers. The determination of what is an 'antique' can be arbitrary.

Purchasers of non-antique items of value should retain receipts and confirmation from shop owners and/or the Ministry of Culture and the Customs Department to prevent seizure upon departure. Prior to purchasing antiques, Travellers may wish to determine from the Ministry of Culture whether the object can be exported and the amount of duty.

Certain religious icons, particularly those of the Buddhist faith, are likely to be seized during attempted export in both VietNam and Thailand.

The process of exporting antiques can be difficult and time-consuming; however, Travellers can insist that sellers obtain all necessary permits from the Ministry of Culture and Customs Department before final purchase is made. Travellers are advised to contact the Embassy of VietNam in your country, or the nearest country with a Vietnamese embassy/consulate for specific information regarding customs requirements.

The import and export of Vietnamese currency and live animals is also forbidden. VietNam strictly enforces the import and export requirements for some 30,000 wild animals, including fish, and plant species and their products listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Penalties can be severe; up to and including the death penalty.

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Updated 2004SEP13