Customs clearance is rarely the problem when you import from Vietnam — missing or inconsistent paperwork is. This checklist lists the documents a Vietnamese supplier provides for a typical order, what each one is for and where it is uploaded on CANG.
Core commercial documents
Commercial invoice — issued by the exporter with buyer and seller details, incoterm, currency, unit prices, totals, HS codes and the order or contract number. Customs value is based on it. On CANG a proforma invoice is issued when the order is confirmed and the commercial invoice when the goods ship; both appear in the order's documents.
Packing list — carton-by-carton breakdown with quantities, net and gross weights, dimensions and carton marks. It must match the invoice and the physical shipment; inspection agencies check it during pre-shipment inspection.
Bill of lading (B/L) or airway bill (AWB) — the transport document issued by the carrier or forwarder. For sea freight, an original or telex-released B/L is needed to collect the container; under "70% against copy of B/L" terms, the balance payment is released when the copy is uploaded to the order.
Certificate of origin (C/O) — proves Vietnamese origin and unlocks preferential duty:
- EUR.1 or a statement of origin on the invoice (for consignments under €6,000) for the EU under EVFTA;
- EUR.1 (UK) for the United Kingdom under UKVFTA;
- Form CPTPP self-certification for Canada, Japan, Australia, Mexico and other CPTPP members;
- Form RCEP for China, Korea, Japan, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand;
- Form AJ (Vietnam–Japan) and Form AK (ASEAN–Korea) remain in use for those markets;
- Form B (non-preferential) for other destinations.
C/Os are issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade or VCCI; the supplier applies after the goods are exported and typically has the document within 2–3 working days. Ask for the C/O in your RFQ so the factory plans for it.
Product-specific documents
Depending on the product and destination, customs or your importer of record may also require:
- Phytosanitary certificate (coffee, rice, cashew, fresh produce) and fumigation certificate for wooden packaging or wood products;
- Health certificate issued by NAFIQPM for seafood and food, plus a catch certificate for wild fish;
- Test reports and declarations of conformity — CE (EU), UKCA (UK), FCC (US), PSE (Japan) for electrical and electronic goods; EN 71 for toys; REACH statements for chemicals and coated textiles;
- Material safety data sheets (SDS) for chemicals, batteries (with UN38.3 test summary) and coatings;
- FSC chain-of-custody documents for wood and paper products, and EUDR due-diligence data for the EU from 2026;
- Lacey Act declaration (US) for wood products.
Insurance and inspection
An insurance certificate covers goods in transit; under CIF it is issued by the seller for 110% of invoice value. A pre-shipment inspection report from a partner agency is not a customs document, but many buyers require it before releasing the balance payment.
How documents flow on CANG
- The order is confirmed → proforma invoice issued.
- Goods ready → inspection report uploaded (if booked).
- Goods shipped → commercial invoice, packing list and B/L copy uploaded; balance released per the payment terms.
- After sailing → certificate of origin and product certificates uploaded.
- Delivery → buyer confirms receipt; documents remain available for audit.
All documents are shared with the counterparty only, stored with the order and downloadable by both companies' authorised users.