KR
1. Importing a Small Lot from Vietnam? Here's Why the Cost Is Unclear
You want to bring in goods from Vietnam, but every search result just shows a headline rate like "$1.00/CBM." Ask for a quote and you're told they'll let you know later — and when you finally get a number, it's much higher than expected.
Warehouse fees, D/O fees, customs clearance fees, inland transport fees — these all get tacked on separately. In this article, we're publishing every cost item that actually applies to a Vietnam LCL (less-than-container-load) import.
2. What Is Vietnam LCL Import?
LCL (Less than Container Load) is a shipping method where cargo too small to fill a full container is consolidated with other shippers' cargo and shipped together.
Here are the most common reasons buyers importing from Vietnam choose LCL.
3. Vietnam LCL Import Costs, Broken Down by Line Item
Most people only ask about "the freight rate," but the actual import cost is made up of several line items. The table below shows what's included in a Tosome Logis all-in quote.
| Cost Item | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean freight | Ho Chi Minh/Haiphong → Incheon LCL freight | Charged per CBM |
| Origin CFS fee | Container consolidation work at origin | Local warehousing free |
| Ocean surcharges | BAF (fuel surcharge), CAF, etc. | Fluctuates with market conditions |
| D/O fee | Bill of Lading (B/L) release fee | Charged on arrival in Korea |
| Korea customs clearance fee | Import declaration agency fee | Handled by Tosome |
| Customs duty & VAT | Assessed based on HS code | Confirmed before departure |
| Inland transport fee | Incheon Port → final destination | Quoted separately |
You'll never hear "that's a separate charge" later on.
4. Ho Chi Minh vs. Haiphong — Cost and Lead Time Depend on Your Departure Port
There are two main departure ports when importing from Vietnam. Freight rates and lead times differ depending on whether your factory is in the south (near Ho Chi Minh) or the north (near Hanoi/Haiphong).
| Port | Key Industries | Lead Time to Incheon | Service Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) | Garments, furniture, electronic components | ~10–14 days | 3–4x/week |
| Haiphong | Electronics, machinery parts | ~12–16 days | 2–3x/week |
5. Here's How It Actually Works — Our Step-by-Step Process
If this is your first import and you're not sure where to even start, here's the Tosome Logis process broken down step by step.
6. Cut Your Tariffs with the Korea-Vietnam FTA
Using the Korea-Vietnam FTA (VKFTA) can reduce duties to 0% on many items. You need to confirm whether a Certificate of Origin (CO) can be issued before shipping — it's difficult to apply retroactively after arrival. For details on Form KV/RCEP and other CO types and issuing authorities, see our Complete Guide to Vietnam Export & Import.
7. New to Vietnam LCL Import? Just Remember This
No import experience? No problem — Tosome Logis guides you from start to finish.
Just send us your cargo details and we'll guide you through everything from process to cost.
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