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Shipito Vietnam: how expats receive parcels bought abroad

Expats living in Vietnam who shop from American, European or Japanese stores often find that the retailer will not ship to Vietnam. Package forwarders such as Shipito provide a warehouse address abroad, consolidate parcels and send them on to Vietnam. Since 2025, Vietnamese VAT applies from the first dong on these shipments, and customs closely checks certain product categories.

11 min read·Updated on October 13, 2026

Information checked on 13 October 2026. Customs rules and prices change: check them with Shipito and the carrier before each shipment. This article contains an affiliate link to Shipito.

Why expats in Vietnam use a package forwarder

Many online stores do not deliver to Vietnam, or reject foreign-issued cards paired with a Vietnamese address. Other products are hard to find locally: spare parts, large clothing sizes, foreign-language books, specialist sports gear. Price gaps matter too, especially during the American end-of-year sales.

A forwarder solves the address problem. The customer buys like a local resident, has the order delivered to the warehouse, then pays for a single international shipment. Packing several purchases into one box lowers the cost per item, according to Shipito.

Shipito at a glance. Sign-up is free and gives immediate access to warehouse addresses in the United States, Austria and Japan.

Open a Shipito account

How Shipito works

Address, receiving and photos

After sign-up, Shipito assigns a personal suite number that is added to each warehouse address. The customer enters this address as the delivery address on the retailer's site. On arrival, the warehouse logs the parcel, weighs it and posts one to three photos of the outside in the customer account, according to Shipito. Photos of the contents cost extra.

Consolidation, insurance and storage

The customer can ask for several parcels to be consolidated into one. Shipito charges for this per consolidated parcel (see the fee table). Insurance starts at 3 dollars and covers up to the declared value; it requires photos of the contents. Storage is free for 7 days on a free account, then charged. Premium members get at least 45 days, according to Shipito's FAQ.

Carrier choice and payment

Once the parcel is ready, the customer account shows the available carriers and their prices for the destination address. Shipito accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB and UnionPay cards, plus PayPal (except for assisted purchases), Bitcoin and bank transfer, according to its payments page.

Service fees

Service Free account Premium account
Handling per parcel received $3.25 $2.25
Consolidation, per parcel $5.50 $3.25
Customs declaration filled in by Shipito $7 $5
Express handling $8.75 $5.50
Extra photos $8 $5
Extra packing $5 $2

Source: Shipito pricing page, checked on 13 October 2026.

Premium membership costs 60 dollars a year or 10 dollars a month, according to Shipito's FAQ. It includes five free consolidations a month. For stores that refuse foreign cards, Shipito offers an assisted purchase service: 8.50 dollars per order, plus a 4.3% processing fee and an 8% commission, according to its official price list.

Shipito warehouses and which one to choose

Shipito runs four warehouses, according to its locations page.

Warehouse Sales tax shown Notes
Torrance (California, USA) 10% Fastest for American purchases, close to Los Angeles airport
Tualatin (Oregon, USA) 0% No sales tax; parcels routed via Torrance, about 3 extra business days with UPS or DHL
Rastenfeld (Austria) 5 to 20% The only warehouse in the European Union, near Vienna airport
Chiba (Japan) 8 to 10% Only accepts parcels shipped from within Japan

Buying in the United States

American sales tax depends on the delivery state. Oregon charges none, which makes the Tualatin warehouse worth considering for expensive purchases. The trade-off is a slightly longer lead time, as parcels pass through California.

Buying in Europe

The Austrian warehouse is Shipito's only one in the European Union. It allows ordering from German, Italian, Spanish or Dutch stores that do not ship outside the EU. EU VAT remains unclear: Shipito does not say whether it is refunded when the parcel leaves for Vietnam. The Austrian Ministry of Finance provides for a refund by the seller to a non-resident buyer, above 75 euros per invoice and with proof that the goods left the EU. It does not explain how this rule applies to a forwarded parcel. It is safer to treat EU VAT as paid, unless the seller explicitly agrees otherwise. Shipito does not publish a typical lead time from Austria to Vietnam.

Buying in Japan

The Chiba warehouse, opened in 2023, only receives parcels shipped from within Japan. It suits Japanese stores that do not ship abroad. Shipito does not ship perfume from Japan.

Compare before buying. Shipito's calculator gives each carrier's price to Vietnam based on weight and dimensions.

See Shipito warehouses and rates

Vietnamese customs: what changes for personal parcels

VAT from the first dong

Decision 01/2025/QĐ-TTg ended, from 18 February 2025, the VAT exemption on low-value express shipments. VAT therefore applies to every parcel, whatever its value, according to the Ministry of Finance's financial press. The standard rate is 10%. It is cut to 8% for most goods from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026, under Resolution 204/2025/QH15. No extension into 2027 had been announced at the time of checking.

Import duty: an exemption that may shrink

Import duty is still waived for postal and express shipments worth 1,000,000 VND or less, or when the duty owed does not exceed 100,000 VND. This rule comes from Decree 134/2016, amended by Decree 18/2021. In August 2026 the Ministry of Finance proposed lowering the threshold to 100,000 VND in value. The text had not been adopted as of 13 October 2026.

Recipient identification

Since 15 August 2025, the 12-digit Vietnamese personal identification number has replaced the tax code in express shipment formalities, according to the specialist press. A missing or wrong number delays clearance. None of the official sources consulted says which identifier a foreigner should provide. Ask the carrier before shipping whether a passport number or another identifier is needed. Circular 142/2026/TT-BTC, in force from 16 November 2026, makes electronic identification mandatory for low-value shipments. It also allows express companies to pay taxes on the recipient's behalf.

Declaration and documents

The declaration must describe each item precisely and state its real value. Shipito checks values itself and may ask for the purchase invoice. Vietnam Post requires a mobile phone number and an email address for the recipient. The address must be complete, with ward, district and postcode. A reachable Vietnamese phone number is essential: carriers often contact the recipient to arrange delivery or collect taxes.

Good practice to limit risks

  • Declare the real value and attach the invoice; undervaluing can get the parcel held.
  • Avoid large quantities of the same product, which can look like goods for resale.
  • Split expensive purchases into several shipments rather than one high-value parcel.
  • Keep proof of purchase and payment until delivery.

Accepted, restricted and prohibited items

Shipito and Vietnam each apply their own rules. An item Shipito accepts can still be refused entry into Vietnam.

Category Status Notes
New clothing and shoes Accepted Used items are prohibited from import into Vietnam, according to USPS
Books, films, toys Restricted Approval from Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, according to USPS
Perfume and aerosols Restricted DHL or UPS only, 500 ml maximum per bottle and a $50 to $95 surcharge, according to Shipito
Lithium batteries Restricted Shipito publishes no detailed rule; check with support
Alcohol Restricted Shipped only from Austria and Japan, to some countries, according to Shipito
Cosmetics Prohibited by post Except dental hygiene and shaving products, according to USPS
Medicines Restricted Personal use, $200 maximum per shipment and 3 shipments a year (Decree 54/2017)
Dietary supplements Restricted Import licence required according to carriers; parcels often held according to expats
Coffee and tea Restricted 200 g of coffee and 500 g of tea maximum, according to USPS
Canned food Prohibited According to USPS
Mobile phones, radio transmitters and receivers Prohibited According to USPS
Drones Restricted Registration mandatory since 2025 (Decree 288/2025); import procedure for individuals not documented
E-cigarettes and heated tobacco Prohibited Since 1 January 2025 (Resolution 173/2024/QH15)
Jewellery and valuables Prohibited by post According to USPS

Shipito's list of prohibited items is shown as icons on its website. It separates prohibited items from limited ones. Check it before any sensitive purchase.

Carriers and rates to Vietnam

Shipito offers several carriers, chosen at the time of shipping.

Carrier Stated lead time Maximum weight Tracking
UPS Worldwide Saver 3+ business days to Asia 68 kg Yes
UPS Worldwide Expedited 3+ business days Not stated Yes
DHL Express Indicative, not guaranteed 70 kg Yes
Postal options Several weeks according to users Varies Varies

Source: Shipito carriers page; it does not confirm which postal options are available to Vietnam.

Shipito does not publish a fixed price list to Vietnam. Its calculator needs weight and dimensions, and its rates exclude service fees, duties and taxes. As a rough benchmark, one user reports about 26 euros for 400 grams by UPS from Japan to Europe, delivered in two days. To Vietnam, actual prices depend on the day and on volumetric weight.

Several charges deserve attention, according to Shipito:

  • any item worth more than 2,500 dollars must ship by DHL, with a 40-dollar export documentation fee;
  • a dangerous-goods parcel costs 50 dollars extra by DHL and 95 dollars by UPS;
  • a DHL parcel not collected within five days may be returned, at about three times the price, or destroyed;
  • shipping several boxes under one tracking number cuts the rate by 30 to 40%.

Express carriers often advance duties and VAT, then bill the recipient with a handling fee. One user quoted by a travel blog paid 21 euros in UPS handling fees on a 33-euro order.

Step by step: from sign-up to delivery

  1. Create a Shipito account and note the chosen warehouse address, with the suite number.
  2. Order from the retailer's site using this address as the delivery address.
  3. Track the parcel's arrival in the customer account and check the photos.
  4. Wait for the other parcels, then request consolidation within the 7 days of free storage.
  5. Fill in the customs declaration: precise description, real value, invoice attached.
  6. Enter the full address in Vietnam, with postcode, mobile phone number and email address.
  7. Choose the carrier, add insurance if needed and pay for shipping.
  8. Answer the carrier's calls or messages in Vietnam promptly, pay VAT and any duty, then receive the parcel in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang or elsewhere.

First step. A free account is enough to receive parcels and try the service.

Sign up for Shipito

Common mistakes and practical tips

  • Forgetting the suite number. Without it, the warehouse cannot assign the parcel.
  • Missing the 7-day free storage window. Daily fees are added after that.
  • Ignoring volumetric weight. A bulky, light box is charged by its dimensions; asking for repacking can lower the price.
  • Ordering dietary supplements or cosmetics. These are the parcels most often held, according to expat accounts.
  • Undervaluing the declaration. Shipito checks values, and so does Vietnamese customs.
  • Giving an unreachable phone number. The parcel can sit in a warehouse in Vietnam and then be returned.

FAQ

Does Shipito deliver to Vietnam? Yes. Expats report shipments to Ho Chi Minh City, and the carriers available for Vietnam appear in the customer account for each parcel.

How long does a parcel from the United States take? Shipito states three or more business days to Asia with UPS Worldwide Saver, excluding customs clearance. Postal options, when available, take several weeks according to users.

Are there taxes to pay on arrival in Vietnam? VAT applies to every parcel since 18 February 2025, at 8% for most goods until the end of 2026. Import duty is not due if the value does not exceed 1,000,000 VND or if the duty stays under 100,000 VND.

Which identifier should a non-Vietnamese recipient provide? No official source specifies it. Ask the carrier before shipping and keep a passport at hand during clearance.

Can medicines be shipped via Shipito? Vietnam limits medicine imports to personal use, 200 dollars per shipment and three shipments a year, under Decree 54/2017. Shipito may also refuse some products.

Which warehouse avoids American sales tax? The Tualatin warehouse in Oregon charges no sales tax, according to Shipito. Parcels take about three extra business days.

Can Shipito buy on the customer's behalf? Yes, through the assisted purchase service, charged at 8.50 dollars per order plus about 12.3% in fees and commission.

Conclusion

Shipito meets a real need for expats in Vietnam: buying from stores in the United States, the European Union or Japan that do not ship to the country. The final cost depends on many factors, though: service fees, carrier, volumetric weight, Vietnamese VAT and any duty. The customs context is tightening, with VAT from the first dong, mandatory identification and a proposal to lower the duty exemption threshold. Health products, cosmetics and radio equipment remain the items most exposed to holds. Checking the current rules with Shipito and the carrier remains the best precaution before each purchase.

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