# Vietnam to USA: What You Can and Can't Bring Home > A practical guide to what American tourists can ship from Vietnam to the US — customs rules, FDA restrictions, and tips for getting your souvenirs home safely. Canonical: https://gatewayexpress.vn/en/articles/vietnam-to-usa-what-you-can-and-cant-bring-home/ Last updated: 2026-10-16 You've spent two weeks exploring Vietnam and your suitcase is overflowing with coffee, ceramics, silk, and every souvenir from Ben Thanh Market. Now the big question: what can you actually ship home to the US? The good news is that most Vietnamese souvenirs ship to America without issues. But there are some rules worth knowing — especially around food items and customs duties. ## What ships easily to the US These items clear US customs without problems: **Coffee and tea** are the most popular items we ship to America. Vietnamese coffee (Trung Nguyen, Highlands, etc.) ships perfectly when it's commercially sealed. Ground coffee, whole beans, and instant coffee are all fine. Same for dried tea. **Textiles and clothing** — ao dai, silk scarves, tailored suits, and fabrics have zero restrictions. Just declare them as clothing on the customs form. **Ceramics and pottery** from Bat Trang or other villages ship well with proper packing. We wrap each piece individually with bubble wrap and pack them in rigid boxes. **Art and paintings** — oil paintings, lacquer art, watercolors, and prints are all allowed. Modern art has no export restrictions from Vietnam. **Lacquerware** — bowls, boxes, trays, and decorative pieces. Lightweight and easy to ship. **Wooden crafts and souvenirs** — finished wood products are fine. No restrictions on carved items, chopsticks, or decorative pieces. ## What has restrictions **Spices and dried food** can be tricky. Commercially packaged spices like pepper, cinnamon, and star anise are generally allowed. Fish sauce in sealed bottles (under 500ml) usually clears customs. But the FDA does inspect food imports, and anything that looks homemade or unpackaged may be held. **Alcohol** requires permits for commercial quantities. Small amounts (1-2 bottles) of Vietnamese rice wine or spirits for personal use are generally accepted but may incur duties. **Cosmetics and traditional medicines** — small quantities for personal use are usually fine. Larger amounts may trigger FDA review. ## What you cannot ship **Meat products** — no dried meat, jerky, or meat-based snacks. This includes the popular Vietnamese dried pork floss (ruoc). US customs takes this seriously. **Fresh food** — no fresh fruit, vegetables, or perishable items. **Plants and seeds** — no living plants, seeds, soil, or untreated wood. USDA restrictions are strict. **Animal products** — no ivory, coral, turtle shell, or products from endangered species. These violate CITES regulations and can result in serious penalties. **Antiques** — items made before 1945 require an export license from Vietnam's Ministry of Culture. Without the license, they may be seized at either end. ## The de minimis change Important update: the US eliminated its $800 de minimis threshold in August 2025. Previously, shipments under $800 entered duty-free. Now, **most shipments from Vietnam will incur customs duties**, regardless of value. Duty rates vary by product category — typically 0-25% for personal goods. The carrier (DHL, FedEx, or UPS) handles customs clearance and will contact you if any duties are owed. ## Tips for a smooth shipment 1. **Keep all receipts** — customs requires declared values, and having receipts speeds up the process. 2. **Declare accurately** — under-declaring values can cause delays, fines, or seizure. Honest declarations are always the safest approach. 3. **Choose sealed packaging** — for any food items, commercially sealed packaging is essential. Loose or repackaged items are more likely to be inspected or rejected. 4. **Ship coffee confidently** — it's our most shipped item to the US. We handle thousands of coffee shipments per year without issues. ## Not in Vietnam anymore? How to buy and have it shipped to you Back home and missing a particular coffee, chili sauce, or the boutique you found in District 1? You don't need to be in Vietnam to order from it. Plenty of Vietnamese shops simply don't ship abroad, so we act as your receiving address. 1. **You order and pay the shop yourself.** We don't buy on your behalf. Many shops accept PayPal, Wise, or an international bank transfer if you ask, or a friend in Vietnam can pay for you. 2. **The shop delivers to our Ho Chi Minh City warehouse.** Shops in other provinces send it by domestic courier, and you pay that domestic shipping to the shop along with your order. 3. **We receive, photograph, and ship it to you.** You see photos of your items before anything leaves. You pay our fees by bank transfer once you've approved the quote, and we never ask for card details. Food is the one category that needs extra care. Anything edible going to the US needs FDA Prior Notice, and we check your items against FDA requirements before they ship. Here's the full walkthrough on [how to buy from Vietnam and have it shipped to you](https://gatewayexpress.vn/en/buy-from-vietnam-ship-worldwide/). ## How we help We handle everything: [hotel pickup in HCMC and Da Nang](https://gatewayexpress.vn/en/tourist-shipping/), professional packing, customs documentation, and door-to-door delivery via DHL, FedEx, or UPS. Most shipments arrive in [3-5 business days](https://gatewayexpress.vn/en/tourist-shipping/shipping-rates-by-country/#us). Not sure about a specific item? [Message us on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/84938373343?text=Hi!%20Can%20I%20ship%20this%20item%20to%20the%20US?) — we'll tell you right away if it can be shipped. ## Frequently asked questions ### How do I buy things from Vietnam online and get them shipped? Order from the Vietnamese shop yourself and pay them directly — many accept PayPal, Wise, or an international bank transfer if you ask. Have the shop deliver to Gateway Express in Ho Chi Minh City. We receive your items, send you photos, and ship them to you. Our fees are quoted before you commit and paid by bank transfer; we never take card details.