Vietnam has emerged as one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic economies and an increasingly important trading partner for the United Kingdom. With the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) in place since January 2021 and the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2023, UK businesses now have unprecedented access to Vietnam's manufacturing capabilities and export potential.
In 2024, bilateral trade between Vietnam and the UK reached £8.4 billion, representing an 18% increase from the previous year. The UK is now Vietnam's third-largest trading partner in Europe, while Vietnam is the UK's second-largest trading partner in ASEAN. This upward trajectory is expected to continue through 2025 and beyond as both nations deepen their economic ties.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything UK businesses need to know about importing from Vietnam in 2025, from navigating regulations and selecting reliable suppliers to understanding logistics options and ensuring quality control.
As UK-based sourcing specialists with extensive on-the-ground operations in Vietnam, Epic Sourcing is uniquely positioned to help you navigate every aspect of your Vietnam importing journey.
Before diving into the importing process, thorough planning is essential for success. This section outlines the critical steps to take before committing to a Vietnamese supplier.
Vietnam has developed strong manufacturing capabilities across several key sectors that UK businesses frequently import:
Vietnam is the UK's 6th largest supplier of clothing and textiles, known for high-quality garments, footwear, and accessories at competitive prices.
Vietnam excels in wooden furniture, handicrafts, and home decor items, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design.
A growing sector with international companies establishing manufacturing facilities for electronics, components, and smart devices.
Vietnamese coffee, seafood, fruits, nuts, and processed foods are increasingly popular in the UK market.
Vietnam is one of the world's largest footwear exporters, producing quality shoes at competitive prices.
Growing exports of machinery parts, tools, and equipment for various industries.
Sourcing reliable suppliers is perhaps the most crucial step in your importing journey. Vietnam offers thousands of potential manufacturing partners, but thorough vetting is essential.
At Epic Sourcing, we've found that verifying a supplier's legitimacy before placing orders is the single most effective way to prevent fraud and quality issues.
Our comprehensive verification reports examine business licenses, ownership structure, export history, and facility capabilities to ensure you're working with legitimate partners.
Importing from Vietnam to the UK requires compliance with specific regulations and paperwork. This section outlines the essential requirements you'll need to address before, during, and after the import process.
An Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number starting with GB is mandatory for all businesses importing goods into the UK. Without this number, your goods may face delays or be held at customs.
How to obtain: Apply online through the Government Gateway service. Registration typically takes 3 working days.
Official EORI application linkAll goods imported into the UK must be classified with the correct commodity code. These codes determine:
How to find your code: Use the UK Trade Tariff tool to search by product description.
UK Trade Tariff look-up toolProper documentation is crucial for smooth customs clearance when importing from Vietnam. Here are the key documents you'll need:
| Document | Description | Provided By |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Details of goods, quantity, value, and buyer/seller information | Vietnamese supplier |
| Packing List | Itemized packaging contents, weights, and dimensions | Vietnamese supplier |
| Bill of Lading/Air Waybill | Transport document serving as receipt of goods by carrier | Freight forwarder |
| Certificate of Origin | Confirms products originated in Vietnam (required for UKVFTA preferential rates) | Vietnamese supplier or Chamber of Commerce |
| Import Declaration (C88) | Customs declaration form for UK import clearance | Importer or customs broker |
| Product-Specific Certificates | May include health certificates, phytosanitary certificates, CITES permits, etc. | Varies by product |
The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) that came into effect on January 1, 2021, offers significant advantages for UK importers:
As of January 2025, the UK has implemented the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) requirement for all goods imported from Vietnam. This security filing must be submitted at least 4 hours before arrival for sea freight and before departure for air freight.
Choosing the right shipping method is crucial for balancing cost, speed, and reliability when importing from Vietnam. This section examines your options and helps you make informed logistics decisions.
| Shipping Method | Transit Time | Cost Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freight | 3-5 days | High | High-value, urgent, or lightweight shipments |
| Sea Freight (FCL) | 30-35 days | Medium | Large volume shipments filling a container |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | 30-40 days | Medium-Low | Smaller shipments not filling a container |
| Express Courier | 1-4 days | Very High | Samples, documents, very urgent small items |
| Rail Freight | 18-25 days | Medium | Alternative to sea freight for certain cargo types |
Incoterms define the responsibilities, costs, and risks between buyers and sellers in international trade. The most common Incoterms when importing from Vietnam include:
For new importers from Vietnam, we typically recommend FOB terms. This gives you control over the international shipping portion (allowing for better tracking and management) while the supplier handles the complex export procedures in Vietnam.
As UK-based sourcing specialists with extensive operations in Vietnam, we offer comprehensive freight forwarding solutions tailored to your specific needs:
When speed is of the essence, our air freight services ensure your goods soar to their location swiftly. We offer competitive rates with major carriers from Vietnam's key airports.
For cost-effective shipping of larger loads, our ocean freight solutions offer reliability without breaking the bank. We provide both FCL and LCL options from all major Vietnamese ports.
Need a place to store your goods? Our secure warehousing facilities in Vietnam and the UK offer consolidation, storage, and distribution solutions to optimise your supply chain.
Navigating customs regulations can be a headache. Our experts handle all documentation and procedures to ensure smooth clearance at both Vietnamese and UK customs.
Consolidate and save. Our Vietnam-wide consolidation services make optimizing your logistics a breeze by combining multiple shipments into one.
In a freight forwarding funk? Our logistics experts provide personalised advice to optimise your supply chain from Vietnam to the UK.
Understanding the costs associated with importing from Vietnam is essential for accurate budgeting and pricing. This section breaks down the customs procedures, duties, and taxes applicable to UK imports from Vietnam in 2025.
Submit Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) and pre-lodged import declaration
Notification of goods arrival at the UK port/airport
HMRC processes the declaration and calculates duties/taxes
Payment of all duties, VAT, and any additional fees
Customs releases the goods for collection/delivery
Any post-clearance audits or additional verification
The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) offers preferential tariff rates for qualifying goods. Here's what you need to know:
To estimate your total landed cost when importing from Vietnam, use this formula:
Total Cost = Product Cost + Shipping + Insurance + Import Duty + Import VAT + Customs Clearance Fees
Remember that unexpected costs can arise from customs inspections, storage fees, or additional documentation requirements.
Ensuring consistent quality is one of the most critical aspects of importing from Vietnam. This section outlines effective strategies for quality control and maintaining productive supplier relationships.
When conducting quality inspections for Vietnamese products, several standard approaches can be used:
A statistical sampling method that determines the maximum number of defective units considered acceptable in a particular sample size. Common AQL levels include:
Comprehensive evaluation of the manufacturing facility, often based on international standards:
Depending on your product category, specialized testing may be required:
At Epic Sourcing, we've found that implementing a "golden sample" approval process is crucial for maintaining quality standards when working with Vietnamese manufacturers. This involves:
Even with careful planning, importing from Vietnam can present obstacles. This section addresses the most common challenges UK businesses face and provides practical solutions.
While English proficiency is improving in Vietnam, particularly in major cities and export-oriented businesses, language barriers can still lead to misunderstandings about specifications, timelines, and expectations.
Vietnam's manufacturing sector is developing rapidly but can still experience quality inconsistencies. Some manufacturers may have limited experience with the high standards expected by UK markets.
Vietnam's infrastructure is improving but can still experience congestion at ports, particularly during peak seasons. Natural disasters (typhoons, floods) and holiday periods (especially Tet/Lunar New Year) can cause significant delays.
Vietnam's export regulations can change frequently, and some suppliers may not be fully aware of UK import requirements, particularly for specialized products.
Managing payments, currency exchange, and financial risk when working with Vietnamese suppliers can be challenging, especially for new importers.
Understanding Vietnamese business culture can significantly improve your sourcing success:
As UK-based sourcing specialists with extensive operations and partnerships in Vietnam, Epic Sourcing offers comprehensive support to businesses looking to import from Vietnam to the UK. Our services are designed to simplify the process and maximise your success.
We start by understanding your product needs, quality requirements, budget, and timeline.
We leverage our supplier network to identify the best manufacturers for your specific requirements.
We conduct thorough verification and manage the sampling process to ensure quality standards.
We oversee production, implement quality control, and manage communication throughout.
We handle all logistics, from factory to your UK destination, including documentation.
We provide continued support for reorders, relationship management, and supply chain optimisation.
Take the first step toward successful importing from Vietnam with Epic Sourcing's expert guidance. Book a free consultation to discuss your specific requirements and how we can help.
Book Your Free Consultation TodayImporting from Vietnam to the UK in 2025 presents significant opportunities for businesses seeking quality products at competitive prices. With the UKVFTA providing preferential tariffs and Vietnam's manufacturing capabilities continuously improving, the time is right to explore this dynamic market.
However, successful importing requires careful planning, thorough supplier verification, quality control measures, and logistics expertise. The regulatory landscape, cultural differences, and potential challenges must all be navigated effectively to achieve optimal results.
At Epic Sourcing, we combine UK-based expertise with on-the-ground presence in Vietnam to provide comprehensive support throughout your importing journey. From supplier sourcing and verification to quality control, logistics, and compliance, our team is ready to help you succeed.
