Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is Vietnam’s leading economic and logistics hub. With modern seaports like Cat Lai, Hiep Phuoc, and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, HCMC is a crucial connection point in the global supply chain.
However, customs procedures here require strict adherence to legal regulations, from HS Code application and tax payment to specialized inspections. Professional customs declaration services not only ensure fast clearance but also help businesses mitigate legal risks and optimize costs.
This article analyzes the customs declaration process in HCMC, introduces key customs branches, and presents Truong Thanh Logistics’ solutions to help businesses comply with the law and enhance logistics efficiency.
1. The Role of Customs Procedures in Import-Export Activities in HCMC
As the Southern logistics hub, HCMC handles over 6.2 million TEU containers through its seaports and millions of tons of goods via air freight annually. Customs procedures are a core element ensuring goods are cleared in compliance with regulations, contributing to maintaining businesses’ competitiveness in the economic integration landscape of 2025.
Professional customs declaration services help businesses meet stringent legal requirements, optimize time and costs, and minimize the risk of legal violations.
Customs procedures in HCMC offer the following benefits:
+ Ensuring efficient clearance: The VNACCS/VCIS automated clearance system, implemented under Decision 1966/QD-TCHQ, allows green channel declarations to be processed in 1-2 hours, while yellow or red channels are processed in 1-2 days.
+ Legal compliance: Adherence to regulations in the 2014 Customs Law, Decree 08/2015/ND-CP (detailing the implementation of the Customs Law), and Decision 382/QD-BTC (effective March 1, 2025) on the transformation of the customs organizational model.
+ Cost optimization: Customs declaration fees range from VND 800,000 to VND 3,000,000 per declaration, helping businesses avoid penalties or surcharges such as container demurrage/detention (DEM/DET, $120-150/day) or inspection fees (VND 600,000 per red channel container).
+ Diverse service types: Including commercial import/export, processing, temporary import for re-export, and on-site import/export, as per Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC (amended and supplemented by Circular 39/2018/TT-BTC).
+ Reduced legal risks: Ensures accurate documentation, reducing the risk of post-clearance inspections or penalties under Decree 128/2020/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the customs sector.
2. Standardized Customs Declaration Process in HCMC
Customs procedures in HCMC are carried out according to a standardized process, based on the VNACCS/VCIS system and current legal regulations. This process requires close coordination among businesses, customs authorities, and logistics providers to ensure accuracy, transparency, and efficiency. Proper application of the process not only helps businesses clear goods quickly but also ensures compliance with the 2014 Customs Law and related guiding documents.
The customs declaration process in HCMC includes:
+ Document collection and verification: Prepare a customs dossier according to Article 18, Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC, including the commercial contract, commercial invoice, bill of lading/airway bill, packing list, certificate of origin (C/O), and specialized permits (if any).
+ Customs declaration preparation: Verify and apply the HS Code according to the 2022 Import-Export Tariff (issued with Decree 101/2021/ND-CP), calculate tax rates, and create a draft declaration for business approval.
+ Electronic declaration transmission: Submit the declaration via the VNACCS/VCIS system, receiving channel assignment results according to Decision 1966/QD-TCHQ (Green channel: immediate clearance; Yellow channel: document inspection; Red channel: document and physical goods inspection).
+ Document submission at customs branch: Present physical documents at customs branches such as Cat Lai Port Customs Branch (District 2) or Tan Son Nhat Airport Customs Branch (Tan Binh District), along with original documents as required.
+ Tax payment and customs clearance: Pay import duties, value-added tax (VAT), or special consumption tax (if any) according to the 2016 Import-Export Tax Law. Goods are cleared after tax obligations are fulfilled.
+ Post-clearance archiving and monitoring: Archive customs documents for a minimum of 5 years according to Article 37, 2014 Customs Law, for post-clearance inspection.
3. Key Customs Branches in HCMC
HCMC boasts a modern customs branch system, distributed across seaports, international airports, and export processing zones, meeting the demand for clearing large volumes of goods. Each branch has a specialized function, from managing container cargo at Cat Lai Port to handling processed goods at Linh Trung Export Processing Zone.
Understanding the address and scope of operations of each branch helps businesses choose the correct location for procedures, ensuring efficiency and legal compliance according to Decision 382/QD-BTC.
List of typical customs branches in HCMC:
+ Cat Lai Port Customs Branch: Nguyen Thi Dinh Street, Cat Lai Ward, District 2, HCMC
Function: Manages over 60% of HCMC’s import/export container volume, handling textiles, agricultural products, and electronic components.
+ Tan Son Nhat Airport Customs Branch: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, HCMC
Function: Manages imported goods via air freight, focusing on high-value items such as medical equipment and electronic components.
+ Hiep Phuoc Port Customs Branch: Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park, Hiep Phuoc Commune, Nha Be District, HCMC
Function: Serves industrial goods, construction materials, and bulk cargo through Hiep Phuoc Port.
+ Linh Trung Export Processing Zone Customs Branch: Linh Trung Export Processing Zone, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, HCMC
Function: Handles processed goods and on-site import/export, primarily electronics and textiles.
+ Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone Customs Branch: Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, Tan Thuan Dong Ward, District 7, HCMC
Function: Serves processed goods, focusing on leather footwear, textiles, and electronics.
+ Post-Clearance Inspection Department: No. 60 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Da Kao Ward, District 1, HCMC
Function: Conducts post-clearance inspections according to Circular 72/2021/TT-BTC, manages risks, and handles violations. (Information referenced from baohaiquan.vn and chinhphu.vn)
4. Challenges in Customs Procedures in HCMC and Solutions
With a large volume of goods and complex legal regulations, customs procedures in HCMC pose many challenges for businesses, from documentation errors and specialized inspections to peak season time pressure. These challenges can lead to clearance delays, increased costs, or legal violations under Decree 128/2020/ND-CP.
Partnering with a professional logistics provider helps businesses overcome these barriers, ensuring legal compliance and optimizing customs clearance efficiency.
Challenges when performing self-customs declaration in HCMC:
+ Complex legal regulations: Requirements for specialized inspections under Circular 14/2015/TT-BTC and dangerous goods regulations under Decree 104/2021/ND-CP change frequently.
+ Documentation errors: Incorrect HS Code declaration or missing C/O can lead to penalties from VND 500,000 to VND 20 million under Decree 128/2020/ND-CP.
+ Peak season time pressure: From August to October, Cat Lai Port handles over 550,000 TEUs/month, causing delays.
+ Post-clearance inspection: Documents can be inspected within 5 years according to Article 78, 2014 Customs Law.
+ Incurred costs: Inspection fees (VND 600,000 per red channel container) or warehousing fees increase costs.
5. Requirements for Businesses When Performing Customs Procedures in HCMC
To ensure customs procedures in HCMC are carried out efficiently and in compliance with the law, businesses need to meet strict requirements regarding documentation, updated regulations, and coordination with customs authorities. Implementing standardized solutions and partnering with a professional logistics provider helps businesses mitigate risks and enhance customs clearance efficiency, especially at branches like Cat Lai Port, Tan Son Nhat Airport, and Linh Trung.
Requirements and solutions:
+ Complete document preparation: Ensure a complete set of documents according to Article 18, Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC, including Invoice, Packing List, C/O, and specialized permits.
+ Update on legal regulations: Monitor new legal documents such as Decision 382/QD-BTC and Circular 72/2021/TT-BTC to ensure compliance.
+ Utilize the VNACCS/VCIS system: Perform electronic declaration transmission and monitor channel assignment results according to Decision 1966/QD-TCHQ.
+ Coordinate with customs branches: Choose the appropriate branch for the type of goods, such as Cat Lai Port Customs Branch for container cargo or Linh Trung Customs Branch for processed goods.
+ Partner with a logistics provider: Use comprehensive customs declaration services to handle documentation, specialized inspections, and post-clearance inspections.
6. Truong Thanh Logistics: Professional Customs Declaration Solutions in HCMC
With over 12 years of experience in logistics and customs, Truong Thanh Logistics is a reputable provider of comprehensive customs declaration services in HCMC, ensuring legal compliance and optimizing customs clearance efficiency. We support businesses at customs branches such as Cat Lai Port, Tan Son Nhat Airport, and Linh Trung, meeting diverse needs from container cargo, air freight, to processed goods.
Truong Thanh Logistics is committed to providing standardized, transparent, and efficient solutions, helping businesses enhance their position in the global supply chain.
Truong Thanh Logistics’ commitments:
+ Comprehensive services: Support from document preparation, declaration transmission, and document submission at customs branches to handling specialized and post-clearance inspections, in compliance with the 2014 Customs Law.
+ Highly qualified team: Staff trained in customs regulations, understanding the specifics of goods in HCMC, from agricultural products to electronic components.
+ Technology application: Utilizing VNACCS/VCIS and GPS monitoring systems to ensure transparent customs clearance and transport progress.
+ Transparent costs: Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, optimizing costs for businesses.
+ Extensive network: Services available at all HCMC customs branches and export processing zones such as Linh Trung, Tan Thuan, and Hiep Phuoc.
Customs procedures in HCMC demand accuracy, legal compliance, and efficiency to meet the dynamic pace of the global supply chain. Truong Thanh Logistics provides professional customs declaration services, helping businesses clear goods quickly, minimize risks, and optimize costs at branches like Cat Lai Port, Tan Son Nhat Airport, and Linh Trung.
With our commitment to quality and legal compliance, we are a trusted partner for businesses looking to expand in the international market.
For assistance with import and export information, international freight, sea transport or import entrustment, please contact Truong Thanh Logistics at the address:
Truong Thanh Logistics – Dedication, Prestige
Hotline: 0915 36 38 39
Headquarter: 5th Floor, Tower A, Song Da Building, Pham Hung, Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi.
Email: sale@truongthanhjsc.com
info@truongthanhlogistics.com
Website: www.truongthanhlogistics.com
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Address: R.A11, TTC Building, 630 Le Thanh Tong, Hai An, Hai Phong
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Address: Room 41, 4th floor, Casanova building, 85 Nguyen Son street, Phu Thanh ward, Tan Phu district, Ho Chi Minh City
