How to Pack a Box for Shipping to Vietnam Safely

Knowing how to pack a box for shipping to Vietnam comes down to three things: a sturdy carton, no empty space inside, and strong tape. Liquids, glass, food and supplement bottles need a little extra care. Air cargo is handled and stacked many times on the way, so careful packing is the cheapest insurance you can buy.

Here is a step-by-step method, plus how to handle the items people most often send home, such as lotions, mouthwash, cookies, nuts and supplements. If you haven't shipped with us before, read our complete guide to shipping from the US to Vietnam first.

Supplies you'll need

• A strong carton: dry, undamaged, no crushed corners. Double-wall boxes are better for heavy loads.
• Wide packing tape that sticks well.
• Cushioning: bubble wrap, kraft paper, crumpled newspaper or clean towels and old clothes.
• Zip-top bags for individual bottles.
• Plastic wrap to seal bottle openings under the cap.
• A permanent marker.

How to pack a box for Vietnam in 6 steps

1. Pick the right size: too big and items shift; too tight and the box bulges or bursts.
2. Reinforce the bottom with an H-pattern of tape, then add a layer of paper or bubble wrap.
3. Heavy at the bottom, light on top: big bottles, milk cans and canned food first; cookies and light items last. Keep bottles upright.
4. Fill every gap: close the lid and shake gently. If you hear movement, add more padding.
5. Seal the top with an H-pattern, plus extra strips along the edges for heavy boxes.
6. Mark the outside: if you're shipping with an online label, attach it (see below).

Liquids: lotion, body wash, mouthwash

One leaking bottle can soak the whole box. To prevent it:

1. Tighten every cap. For opened bottles, put plastic wrap over the opening, then screw the cap back on.
2. On pump bottles, lock the pump if it has a lock and tape around the neck.
3. Bag each bottle separately; double-bag large ones.
4. Stand bottles upright, close together, with padding around them.

For example, Listerine UltraClean 1.5-liter bottles are heavy, so stand them at the bottom. Bottles like Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion (20 fl oz) or Olay Intensely Hydrating Body Lotion (17 fl oz) should be bagged one by one and lined up in the middle layer. Choosing lotion for family? See Olay and Cetaphil for sensitive skin.

Ask us first about large amounts of liquid and aerosol sprays. Cosmetics may carry special customs surcharges that aren't included in the online estimate.

Glass and fragile items

• Choose plastic over glass when you have the option.
• Wrap each piece in 2–3 layers of bubble wrap and tape it closed.
• Place fragile items in the center, away from the walls, padded all around.
• For very delicate items, use a box inside a box, both well padded.
• Mark the box "Fragile", but rely on the padding, not the label.

Perfume usually comes in glass and is on the ask-first list.

Food, snacks and nuts

• Send only factory-sealed food within its expiry date; ask us first about homemade or fresh food.
• Put big bags like Wonderful Pistachios (3 lb) inside a zip bag in case the original tears.
• Keep crisp cookies like La Grande Galette butter cookies on top with nothing heavy on them.
• Canned goods like SPAM go at the bottom, away from thin bottles.
• Chocolate can soften in heat; bag it and place it in the middle.
• Keep food away from detergents, laundry pods and strong scents, or seal each separately.

Vitamin and supplement bottles

• Keep original bottles, labels and seals; don't pour pills into bags to save space. Labels tell the recipient the ingredients, directions and expiry date.
• Group bottles in zip bags and stand them in the middle layer.
• Treat liquid supplements like Nature's Way Joint Movement Glucosamine Liquid as liquids: tighten, bag, keep upright.
• Keep gummies in their sealed bottles, in the center of the box.
• Ask us before sending any medicines.

Labeling the box

• Remove or cover old labels and barcodes on reused boxes.
• If you're shipping from another state with an online shipping label, print it clearly and stick it flat on the largest side, not across a seam.
• Tape around the label's edges, but not over the barcode.
• Write the recipient's name and phone number on one side as a backup.
• Sending several boxes? Number them 1/3, 2/3, 3/3.

Quick reference

Item type	Main risk	How to pack
Liquids, lotions	Leaks	Plastic wrap under cap, bag each bottle, upright
Glass	Breakage	2–3 layers of bubble wrap, center of box, box-in-box
Cookies, wafers	Crushing	Top layer, nothing heavy on top
Nuts, canned food	Torn bags, dented cans	Extra zip bag; cans at the bottom
Supplement bottles	Lost labels, cracked caps	Original bottles, zip bags, upright

What to ask TCS before you pack

• Can this item be shipped, especially batteries, sprays, large amounts of liquid, medicines, perfume or high-value electronics?
• Will there be a surcharge, for example on cosmetics, perfume, electronics or high-value goods?
• Will my box count as oversized?
• Is cargo insurance (5% of declared value) worth it for this box?

See what you can ship to Vietnam and how shipping costs are calculated.

Rather not pack it yourself?

If what you want to send is in our online store, just order it and enter the delivery address at checkout. For items from other retailers, our US proxy shopping service buys them for you, checks outer condition and quantity, then packs and ships them to Vietnam.

• Listerine UltraClean Coolmint Mouthwash, 1.5 Liter, 2-count
• Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, Dry to Normal Sensitive Skin, 20 fl oz, 2-count
• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Dry to Normal Sensitive Skin, 20 fl oz, 2-count
• Olay Intensely Hydrating Body Lotion for Women, with Hyaluronic Acid & Niacinamide, 17 fl oz
• Neutrogena Rainbath Shower Gel, 40 fl oz
• La Grande Galette French Butter Cookies, 1.3 lb
• Wonderful Pistachios, Salt & Pepper, 3 lbs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a new box?

No, but it must be firm, dry and undamaged, with old labels removed or covered.

Should bottles lie flat or stand up?

Stand them up, caps on top, each in its own bag, with padding so they can't tip over.

Should I list the contents?

Yes. A rough list helps with declaring the shipment, valuing it for insurance and checking it on arrival.

Can I send homemade food?

Ask us first. Sealed, packaged food within its expiry date is the safer choice for air shipping.

All packed? Weigh the box and run a quick estimate on our ship-to-Vietnam page, then bring it to 15131 Weststate St, Suite B, Westminster, CA 92683, or create a label online from any state. Here's to your gifts arriving in perfect shape.