How to Import Garlic from China to Vietnam: Complete 2026 Guide

Vietnam is a major garlic consumer and importer in Southeast Asia. Garlic is a foundational ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine, essential for pho broth, stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauces, and countless regional dishes. While Vietnam has some domestic garlic production — notably on Ly Son Island (Quang Ngai province) and in the northern highlands — local supply covers only a small portion of national demand. China, with its geographic proximity, production scale, and the ACFTA 0% tariff, is the dominant garlic supplier to Vietnam.

This guide is written for Vietnamese trading companies, wholesale distributors, supermarket procurement teams, and food processors who want to source garlic directly from China. It covers the Vietnamese garlic market, the ACFTA tariff advantage, the customs declaration process, shipping routes, documentation, and a cost breakdown comparing FOB Qingdao and CIF Hai Phong terms. Vietnam's proximity to China makes this one of the most efficient and cost-effective garlic import routes in the world.

Vietnam Garlic Market Overview

Vietnam imports approximately 80,000-100,000 metric tons of garlic annually. Domestic production is estimated at 15,000-20,000 MT, concentrated in Ly Son Island (known for premium garlic), the northern mountainous provinces, and some central highland areas. The import gap of 60,000-80,000 MT is filled primarily by China, which supplies over 90% of Vietnam's garlic imports.

Vietnamese garlic consumption is deeply embedded in daily cooking. Every region has garlic-based dishes and condiments — from northern pho (where garlic accompanies herbs on the side) to central-style garlic chili sauces to southern stir-fries. Per capita consumption is among the highest in Southeast Asia. Garlic is sold in traditional markets (cho), modern supermarkets (Co.opmart, Go!, WinMart), and used extensively by the food service industry, including restaurants, street food vendors, and food processing companies.

Vietnam's garlic distribution network is divided between the north and the south. Northern Vietnam, centered on Hanoi, receives garlic through Hai Phong Port. Southern Vietnam, centered on Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), receives garlic through Cat Lai Port. Each region has its own wholesale market infrastructure — Dong Xuan Market area in Hanoi and Binh Dien Wholesale Market in HCMC are major distribution hubs. Importers typically choose their port based on their end-market location to minimize inland transport costs.

Why Import Garlic from China?

For Vietnamese importers, China is the ideal garlic sourcing partner. The combination of geographic proximity, ACFTA 0% tariff, and China's production scale creates unbeatable advantages:

• 0% ACFTA tariff: With a valid Form E certificate of origin, garlic from China enters Vietnam at 0% import duty. This is a significant cost advantage over the standard MFN rate.
• Shortest shipping distance: At 8-12 days from Qingdao to Hai Phong, Vietnam has the shortest garlic shipping route from China. This minimizes freight costs, reduces cold-chain risk, and enables faster inventory turnover.
• Year-round supply: Shandong's cold storage infrastructure ensures consistent garlic supply throughout the year, complementing Vietnam's seasonal domestic production.
• Scale and reliability: Chinese exporters can reliably fill multiple containers per week, supporting Vietnam's steady year-round demand across both northern and southern markets.
• Competitive pricing: Combined with 0% tariff and low freight costs, Chinese garlic offers the lowest landed cost per kilogram for Vietnamese importers.

To compare garlic varieties, see our Normal White Garlic and Pure White Garlic product pages.

Step-by-Step Import Process

Importing garlic from China to Vietnam involves seven key steps. Vietnam's customs process is relatively efficient, and the ACFTA tariff advantage combined with the short shipping distance makes this a straightforward and cost-effective import route. Below is the complete process.

Step 1: Find a Reliable Chinese Garlic Supplier

Start by identifying Chinese garlic exporters with experience shipping to Vietnam. Given the geographic proximity, many Shandong-based exporters have established Vietnam trade relationships. A supplier familiar with the Vietnamese market will understand the ACFTA Form E requirements, preferred garlic specifications, and VNACCS customs procedures. Look for suppliers with ISO 22000 or HACCP certification, cold storage capacity, and a verifiable export track record to Southeast Asia.

Critically, the supplier must be able to obtain a Form E certificate of origin for the 0% ACFTA tariff. Confirm this capability before placing an order. For a detailed supplier verification process, read our guide on how to choose a garlic supplier in China.

Step 2: Confirm Product Specifications

Vietnam is a price-sensitive market. Normal White garlic is the preferred variety because it offers good quality at an affordable price. The short 8-12 day transit reduces cold-chain risk, but proper temperature management remains important given Vietnam's hot and humid tropical climate.

The most popular specifications for the Vietnamese market are:

For packaging options, see our garlic packaging options guide, and for container loading, refer to our container loading guide.

Step 3: Understand Import Regulations & Tariffs

Vietnam regulates garlic imports through its customs authority (General Department of Vietnam Customs) and the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). The key regulatory framework includes:

• ACFTA 0% tariff with Form E: Under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area agreement, garlic (HS code 0703.20.00) qualifies for 0% preferential import duty when accompanied by a valid Form E certificate of origin. Without Form E, the standard MFN rate applies. This makes Form E one of the most important documents in the Vietnamese garlic import process.
• Value Added Tax (VAT): Vietnam applies a 5% VAT on agricultural products including garlic, calculated on the customs value plus duty. Even with 0% duty under ACFTA, the 5% VAT applies.
• Enterprise registration: Importers must have a valid enterprise registration code and be registered with Vietnam Customs. The enterprise code is used in all customs declarations filed through the VNACCS/VCIS system.
• Plant quarantine: The Plant Protection Department (Cục Bảo vệ Thực vật) under MARD conducts phytosanitary inspection of all plant product imports. Importers must register for plant quarantine inspection upon arrival. A phytosanitary certificate from the origin country (China) is mandatory.
• VNACCS/VCIS system: Vietnam's electronic customs clearance system (Vietnam Automated Cargo Clearance System / Vietnam Customs Intelligence System) handles all import declarations. The system uses risk management to route shipments for green (automatic clearance), yellow (document check), or red (physical inspection) channels.

Step 4: Arrange Shipping & Logistics

Garlic is shipped from Qingdao Port to Vietnam in 40HQ reefer containers. The 8-12 day transit to Hai Phong is the shortest garlic shipping route from China, offering significant advantages in freight cost, cold-chain reliability, and inventory turnover.

The main destination ports for garlic in Vietnam are:

• Hai Phong Port (Northern Vietnam): The primary port for northern Vietnam, serving Hanoi, the Red River Delta, and the northern provinces. Hai Phong is the closest major Vietnamese port to China, with the shortest transit time of 8-12 days from Qingdao. Importers serving Hanoi and northern Vietnam should use Hai Phong.
• Cat Lai Port (Ho Chi Minh City, Southern Vietnam): The busiest container port in Vietnam, serving HCMC, the Mekong Delta, and southern Vietnam. Transit from Qingdao is 10-14 days. Importers serving HCMC and southern Vietnam should use Cat Lai to minimize inland trucking.

Major shipping lines on the Qingdao-Vietnam route include COSCO, SITC, and Maersk. COSCO offers frequent direct services to both Hai Phong and Cat Lai. SITC Container Lines specializes in intra-Asia routes and provides excellent service on the China-Vietnam lane with competitive transit times. Maersk offers comprehensive coverage. Most services are direct, with some involving transshipment at Hong Kong or Shekou. Book reefer containers in advance, especially before the Lunar New Year (Tet) period when demand surges.

The reefer container must be pre-cooled and set to -2°C to -3°C with ventilation at 25-30 CBM per hour. Vietnam's tropical climate — with temperatures of 30-35°C and high humidity — means that upon arrival, garlic must be promptly moved to cold storage or distributed quickly. For cold-chain best practices, see our fresh garlic storage guide.

Step 5: Prepare Required Documents

Vietnam requires a complete document set for customs clearance through the VNACCS/VCIS system. The Form E certificate of origin is the most critical document for claiming the 0% ACFTA tariff. The required documents include:

• Commercial Invoice: Must include full seller and buyer details, product description, HS code, quantity, unit price, total value, Incoterms, and currency.
• Packing List: Must show net weight, gross weight, number of packages, and container details.
• Bill of Lading (B/L): Issued by the shipping line. Must be consistent with the commercial invoice and packing list.
• Form E (Certificate of Origin): The ASEAN-China FTA certificate of origin, issued by CCPIT or CIQ in China. This is the key document for the 0% ACFTA tariff. Ensure all fields are correctly filled, the HS code matches, and the certificate is original. Any error can result in tariff denial.
• Phytosanitary Certificate: Issued by China Customs (GACC). Mandatory for all plant product imports into Vietnam.
• Fumigation Certificate: Confirms pest treatment, required for phytosanitary compliance.
• Customs declaration (To khai hai quan): Filed electronically through the VNACCS/VCIS system by the importer or their customs broker. References all shipping documents and the Form E.

Step 6: Customs Clearance in Vietnam

Upon arrival at Hai Phong or Cat Lai, the shipment enters customs clearance through the VNACCS/VCIS electronic system. The importer or their customs broker files the customs declaration (to khai hai quan), referencing all shipping documents, the Form E, and the enterprise registration code. The VNACCS/VCIS system uses risk management to classify declarations into channels: green (immediate clearance), yellow (document review), or red (physical inspection).

Garlic shipments may be routed to the yellow or red channel due to their agricultural nature. If selected for physical inspection, customs officers and Plant Protection Department inspectors will examine the garlic for quarantine pests, diseases, and labeling compliance. This typically adds 1-2 days to clearance time.

If the Form E is valid and all documents are in order, the 0% ACFTA tariff is applied, and only the 5% VAT is payable. If the Form E is missing, invalid, or contains errors, the standard MFN duty applies — a costly mistake that can erode margins significantly. Work with a Vietnamese customs broker experienced in ACFTA claims to ensure Form E compliance. After duty payment and inspection, customs issues clearance, and the container can be picked up and transported to your warehouse or wholesale market.

Step 7: Cold Storage & Distribution

After customs release, garlic should be moved to cold storage or distributed quickly. Vietnam's hot and humid tropical climate is challenging for garlic storage — ambient conditions will cause rapid sprouting and quality deterioration. Hanoi, HCMC, and other major cities have commercial cold storage facilities, but capacity can be tight. For traditional market distribution, garlic is often moved quickly from port to wholesale markets.

In Hanoi, garlic is distributed through wholesale markets like Long Bien Market and smaller traditional markets (cho) across the city. In HCMC, Binh Dien Wholesale Market and Thu Duc Wholesale Market are the primary hubs. From these wholesale markets, garlic flows to traditional market vendors, supermarket chains (Co.opmart, WinMart, Go!), street food vendors, and food processing companies. The short 8-12 day transit from China enables rapid inventory turnover, which is advantageous in Vietnam's climate where long-term storage is difficult.

For the food processing industry, which produces garlic paste, chili-garlic sauce, and seasoning products, consistent quality and supply are essential. Dehydrated garlic flakes are also imported for industrial use — see our dehydrated garlic flakes product page for more information.

Vietnam-Specific Requirements & Regulations

Vietnam has several import requirements that are specific to its regulatory environment:

• Form E accuracy: The Form E certificate of origin must be original, correctly filled, with the HS code matching the customs declaration. Common errors include wrong HS codes, missing signatures, or incorrect origin criteria. Any error can result in the 0% tariff being denied and the MFN rate applied. Double-check all Form E details before shipping.
• Plant quarantine registration: Importers must register for plant quarantine inspection with the Plant Protection Department upon the shipment's arrival. The inspection verifies that the garlic is free from quarantine pests and diseases. A valid phytosanitary certificate from China is mandatory.
• Vietnamese language labeling: Pre-packaged garlic for retail sale must have labels in Vietnamese, including product name, country of origin, net weight, production date, expiry date, and importer information. Bulk garlic for wholesale does not require retail labels.
• Food safety regulations: Vietnam's food safety regulations apply to garlic imports. The Ministry of Health's Vietnam Food Administration oversees food safety compliance. Pesticide residue limits must comply with Vietnamese standards.
• Tet demand surge: Garlic demand increases significantly before the Lunar New Year (Tet), which typically falls in late January or February. Importers should plan shipments well in advance, as shipping space and reefer container availability tighten during this period.

Recommended Garlic Specifications for the Vietnamese Market

Based on feedback from Vietnamese wholesale buyers and supermarket chains, the following specifications perform best:

For garlic sizing standards, see our garlic size standard guide. For current pricing, check our garlic price page. Learn more about the Southeast Asian market on our markets page.

Shipping Routes: Qingdao to Hai Phong

The Qingdao-to-Hai Phong route is the shortest garlic shipping lane from China, making Vietnam the most logistically efficient garlic import destination. The proximity of the two countries, combined with frequent direct sailings, enables fast and cost-effective shipping.

Garlic is loaded into a 40HQ reefer container at Qingdao Port. The container is connected to reefer power on the vessel and maintained at -2°C to -3°C throughout the short voyage. Most services route south through the Yellow Sea and East China Sea to the Gulf of Tonkin, arriving at Hai Phong. Direct services are available with COSCO and SITC, with some services involving a brief transshipment at Hong Kong or Shekou.

COSCO offers the most frequent direct services to both Hai Phong and Cat Lai, with reliable transit times. SITC Container Lines is a specialist in intra-Asia shipping and offers excellent service on the China-Vietnam route with competitive pricing and fast transit. Maersk provides comprehensive coverage with its global network. Freight rates on this route are generally stable due to the short distance and high service frequency. Book reefer containers in advance before Tet (Lunar New Year) when import demand surges across Vietnam.

Cost Breakdown: FOB Qingdao vs CIF Hai Phong

The combination of 0% ACFTA tariff, short shipping distance, and low freight costs gives Vietnamese garlic importers an excellent landed cost position. Below is an indicative cost comparison for one 40HQ reefer container of Normal White garlic 5.5cm, loaded at 28MT.

Note: Figures are indicative and for reference only. Garlic prices fluctuate seasonally. Ocean freight rates change based on carrier and container availability. Without a valid Form E, the MFN duty would apply, significantly increasing the landed cost. Always request a current quote for accurate pricing.

Vietnam has the lowest landed cost among all garlic import markets from China, thanks to the combination of 0% ACFTA tariff, the shortest shipping distance, and low freight rates. For first-time importers, CIF Hai Phong terms simplify logistics. Experienced importers can save $100-200 per container on FOB terms. For a detailed explanation of Incoterms, see our FOB vs CIF price calculation guide.

FAQ: Importing Garlic from China to Vietnam

Can I import garlic from China to Vietnam at 0% tariff?

Yes. Under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) agreement, garlic qualifies for 0% preferential import tariff when accompanied by a valid Form E certificate of origin. Without Form E, the standard MFN tariff applies. Ensure your Chinese supplier obtains Form E from CCPIT or CIQ before shipment, and verify that all fields are correctly filled to avoid tariff denial at Vietnamese customs.

What documents are required to import garlic into Vietnam?

You need a Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Phytosanitary Certificate from China Customs, Form E (for ACFTA 0% tariff), and a fumigation certificate. You also need an enterprise registration code and customs registration. The customs declaration (to khai hai quan) is filed through the VNACCS/VCIS electronic system. Plant quarantine inspection by the Plant Protection Department is required upon arrival.

How long does it take to ship garlic from China to Vietnam?

Ocean freight from Qingdao Port to Hai Phong (Northern Vietnam) takes just 8-12 days — the shortest garlic shipping route from China. Cat Lai Port (HCMC, Southern Vietnam) takes 10-14 days. Including 5-7 days for production, inspection, and loading in China, plus 1-3 days for customs clearance, the total lead time is typically 2-3 weeks. This fast turnaround is a major advantage for Vietnamese importers.

Which garlic specifications are most popular in the Vietnamese market?

Vietnamese buyers prefer Normal White garlic in 5.0cm and 5.5cm sizes. Vietnam is a price-sensitive market where garlic is an essential daily ingredient in cooking. Packaging is typically 20kg mesh bags for traditional market distribution or 10kg cartons for supermarket and food service channels. The market favors cost-efficient options that suit both traditional market vendors and modern retail.

What is the difference between importing to Hai Phong and Cat Lai?

Hai Phong Port serves Northern Vietnam, including Hanoi and the Red River Delta, with an 8-12 day transit from Qingdao — the shortest route. Cat Lai Port serves Southern Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, with a 10-14 day transit. Importers should choose based on their end-market location to minimize inland transport costs. Northern importers serving Hanoi should use Hai Phong; southern importers serving HCMC should use Cat Lai.