Thinking about sourcing products from Vietnam for your UK business? UK-Vietnam trade has surged to £9.6 billion in 2024, with British businesses discovering the benefits of Vietnamese manufacturing. However, navigating a new market thousands of miles away presents its own set of challenges, including language barriers, quality concerns, complex logistics, and customs compliance.
Thinking about sourcing products from Vietnam for your UK business? UK-Vietnam trade has surged to £9.6 billion in 2024, with British businesses discovering the benefits of Vietnamese manufacturing. However, navigating a new market thousands of miles away presents its own set of challenges, including language barriers, quality concerns, complex logistics, and customs compliance.
That's where Epic Sourcing comes in. We're your UK-based sourcing partner, with boots on the ground in Vietnam, handling everything from finding the right manufacturers to delivering your products directly to your door.
Vietnam has rapidly become one of Asia's manufacturing powerhouses, and the numbers tell the story. UK-Vietnam bilateral trade reached £9.6 billion in 2024, up 18% year-on-year. British businesses imported £7.8 billion worth of goods from Vietnam in 2024, with growth showing no signs of slowing.
What UK businesses are importing from Vietnam:
The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), which came into force in January 2021, has eliminated tariffs on 65% of goods immediately, with the rate rising to 99.2% within six years. Combined with competitive manufacturing costs, skilled labour, and improving quality, Vietnam offers British businesses a compelling alternative to traditional sourcing destinations.
Here a few fundamentals of sourcing from Vietnam for businesses:
The UK has two Free Trade Agreements with Vietnam: the UKVFTA (since January 2021) and CPTPP (since December 2024). Both eliminate or significantly reduce tariffs on most goods, making imports more cost-effective.
UK VAT applies at 20% on most goods. Customs duties vary by product category (0-25% depending on HS code), but many goods now qualify for preferential zero-tariff rates under the trade agreements. Goods under £135 may have different VAT collection rules.
Sea freight typically takes 30-35 days port-to-port from Vietnam to UK ports (Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway). Door-to-door delivery including customs clearance takes approximately 58-62 days. Air freight is available for urgent shipments (3-5 days).
UK imports require an EORI number, a commercial invoice, a packing list, and customs declarations via the Customs Declaration Service (CDS). A Certificate of Origin may be needed for preferential tariff rates (now self-certified under UKVFTA). Some products require additional certifications.
The good news? Epic Sourcing handles all of this for you. You don't need to become an import expert – that's what we're here for.
Let's be honest about what you're facing when you source from Vietnam on your own:
English proficiency varies widely amongst Vietnamese suppliers. Miscommunication about specifications, timelines, or quality standards can lead to costly mistakes that only become apparent when goods arrive in the UK.
You can't inspect what you can't see. Without someone physically checking production, you're essentially hoping your supplier delivers what they promised. Quality issues discovered after shipping costs time and money to resolve.
Online platforms list thousands of Vietnamese manufacturers, but which ones are legitimate? Which have the capacity for your order? Which will actually deliver on time? Vetting suppliers from the UK is nearly impossible.
UK customs requirements, HMRC documentation, Certificates of Origin, VAT calculations, and the Border Target Operating Model implemented in 2024. One mistake in paperwork can delay your shipment for weeks.
Sea freight takes 30-35 days from Vietnam to UK ports like Felixstowe or Southampton. Coordinating shipping, freight forwarding, customs clearance, and final delivery requires expertise and constant communication across time zones.
The reality? Most UK businesses trying to source from Vietnam directly either give up after frustrating experiences, or they succeed but spend months learning expensive lessons.
There's a Better Way
At Epic Sourcing, we work to eliminate every one of these challenges. We're a UK-based sourcing agency with experienced teams on the ground in Vietnam (and China). We handle the entire sourcing process so you can focus on growing your business.
Our local teams in Vietnam speak the language, understand the culture, and have established relationships with reliable manufacturers across multiple industries. We conduct factory visits, quality inspections, and face-to-face negotiations on your behalf.
What this means for you: No more playing telephone across time zones. No more wondering if your supplier really understands your requirements. No more hoping quality will be acceptable.
We don't just find suppliers – we verify them. Factory audits, capability assessments, reference checks, and sample testing happen before we even introduce you to a manufacturer.
During production, we implement comprehensive quality control:
We operate on transparent, ethical pricing with no hidden costs or fees. Our clients achieve an average of 77% savings per order compared to buying from intermediaries or attempting to navigate the supply chain independently.
How we save you money:
From the factory floor in Vietnam to your warehouse in the UK, we coordinate every step:
Typical transit time is 30-35 days sea freight, or 3-5 days air freight for urgent shipments. We track everything and keep you informed throughout.
We're not order-takers. We're your sourcing partners, invested in your success. Need help refining product specifications? We'll advise. Want to optimise costs? We'll analyse. Concerned about a supplier's timeline? We'll push back on your behalf.
You get a dedicated UK-based account manager who understands your business, supported by expert teams in Vietnam who execute flawlessly.
Epic Sourcing works with UK businesses across diverse sectors, all sourcing from Vietnam:
Working with Epic Sourcing is straightforward:
Share your product requirements, target pricing, quality standards, and timelines. The more specific you are, the better we can serve you. Use our Photo-Find AI tool if you've found a product you want to source – snap a photo and we'll locate manufacturers instantly.
Our Vietnam teams identify suitable manufacturers, conduct factory audits, and verify capabilities. We present you with vetted options, not just random listings from online platforms.
We arrange samples from shortlisted suppliers. You evaluate quality, we handle feedback and revisions, and you approve before mass production begins.
Our teams monitor production, conduct inspections, and ensure everything meets your specifications. You get regular updates and inspection reports.
We coordinate shipping, handle customs clearance, and deliver to your UK location. Optional warehousing available if needed.
Once your supply chain is established, we continue to support you with reorders, quality monitoring, and supply chain optimization.
Check out some of our client success stories!
Ready to Start Sourcing from Vietnam?
Epic Sourcing's UK-based team, with an on-the-ground presence in Vietnam, is ready to help you source quality products, build robust supply chains, and grow your business with confidence.
Book a consultation today and discover how we can transform your Vietnam sourcing.
Plenty of companies claim to help with sourcing. Here's what makes Epic Sourcing different:
UK-Vietnam trade is growing rapidly, and British businesses that establish Vietnamese supply chains now will be well-positioned for years to come. Whether you're a startup exploring your first manufacturing options or an established business diversifying your supply chain, Vietnam offers compelling opportunities.
The question isn't whether you should consider Vietnam – it's how you'll navigate the complexities of international sourcing.
Partner with Epic Sourcing and leverage our expertise, relationships, and on-ground presence to source efficiently, safely, and profitably from day one.
Let's Make Your Sourcing Epic! Contact Epic Sourcing today for a no-obligation consultation. Tell us what you want to source, and we'll show you exactly how we can help.
