What can you ship from the US to Vietnam? Most everyday gifts travel without trouble: packaged foods, snacks and nuts, supplements in sealed bottles, cosmetics, personal care items and clothing. Some things are worth a quick question first, such as large amounts of liquid, aerosols and sprays, batteries and electronics, perfume, medicines and high-value goods. Anything prohibited or restricted by law, customs or the airline can be refused.
Below, we sort goods into three simple groups, with real examples of what Vietnamese-American families commonly send home, so you can pack once and pack right.
What can you ship from the US to Vietnam? Three groups
| Group | Typical examples | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Usually fine | Packaged snacks, nuts, sealed vitamins, powdered milk, skincare, soap, toothpaste, clothes | Keep original packaging, pack firmly, list the contents |
| Ask first | Liquids in volume, sprays, batteries, electronics, perfume, medicines, high-value items, fresh or homemade food | Send TCS a photo of the label before you pack |
| Refused | Items prohibited or restricted by law, customs or the airline | Leave them out; when unsure, ask |
Group 1: Items that usually ship without issue
Packaged foods, candy and nuts
Factory-sealed snacks are the easiest category. Popular picks include Wonderful Pistachios Salt and Pepper, a 48-piece box of Ferrero Rocher and La Grande Galette French butter cookies. Choose items with a long shelf life. Fresh, homemade or refrigerated food rarely survives 5–14 days in transit well, so ask before including it.
Supplements in sealed bottles
Vitamins and fish oil are classic gifts for parents in Vietnam, for example One A Day Women's 50+ multivitamin, Nature Made fish oil or Kirkland Signature Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Keep the bottle sealed and in its labeled box. Do not pour tablets into zip bags to save space; unlabeled pills are hard to identify at inspection. If you plan to send more than normal personal-use quantities, check with TCS first.
Powdered milk and nutrition drinks
Sealed cans such as Ensure Original powder ship normally. Ready-to-drink bottles are fine too, but a case like Ensure Original shakes, 30-pack is heavy because it is mostly water. Since shipping is priced by weight, many families choose powder to send more servings per pound.
Cosmetics and personal care
Lotions, body wash, soap and toothpaste are easy and much appreciated: think Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, Dove Beauty Bar 16-pack or Crest toothpaste. Note that cosmetics may carry special customs surcharges that the online estimate does not include. TCS states them in your quote before you pay.
Clothes, shoes and household goods
Everyday clothing, shoes, bags and small household items are fine. Soft items also make great padding around fragile pieces. Designer goods, watches and jewelry fall under high-value items below.
Group 2: Ask TCS before you pack
These are not automatically refused, but depending on type, quantity and current rules they may need special packing, a surcharge, or may not be accepted.
- Liquids in volume: for example Listerine mouthwash, two 1.5-liter bottles or large bottles of liquid supplements. Heavy and leak-prone; seal each bottle.
- Aerosols and sprays: hairspray, spray sunscreen, Febreze Air Mist. Airlines have their own rules for pressurized items.
- Batteries and electronics: phones, tablets, laptops, power banks, battery toys. Electronics may carry a surcharge, shown in your quote.
- Perfume: a liquid that may also face special customs surcharges.
- Medicines: including over-the-counter products like Tylenol Extra Strength or eye drops such as Refresh Tears. Ask about type and quantity.
- High-value goods: may carry a surcharge. Declare the true value and consider optional cargo insurance at 5% of the declared value.
Quick tip: Not sure about an item? Photograph the front and back of the label and send it on Zalo at (949) 979-6888, or call (714) 379-8787, before you seal the box. Our team helps in Vietnamese and English.
Group 3: Items that will be refused
TCS may refuse goods prohibited or restricted by law, customs or the airline. Obvious examples include weapons, explosives, flammable materials and illegal substances. Specific lists change over time, so we do not quote legal limits here. When an item is unusual, asking first is always the safest move.
Packing and declaration tips
- Keep original boxes, labels and seals.
- Put a contents list inside the box with item names, quantities and estimated values.
- Declare the real value, especially if you add insurance.
- Bag every liquid and wedge fragile items tightly. Our guide on how to pack boxes for Vietnam walks through it.
- Do not add an "ask first" item without asking; one problem item can delay the whole box.
Shipping cost depends on weight in pounds and the destination province. Learn more in how shipping cost to Vietnam is calculated, or try the free estimator on our ship to Vietnam page.
An easier option: pick from the TCS store
Need ideas? Browse the TCS online store for authentic US vitamins, milk, foods and personal care. Prices are public on each product page, and a free account is all you need to order. Want something from Costco or Amazon instead? Read about US proxy shopping.
- Ensure Original Vanilla Nutrition Powder 9g Protein, 397 gram, 6-Pack (USA)
- One A Day Men's 50+ Healthy Advantage Multivitamin, 300 Tablets
- Kirkland Signature Pecan Halves, 2 lbs
- Ferrero Rocher, Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Candy, 21.2 oz, 48 Count
- Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, Dry to Normal Sensitive Skin, 20 fl oz, 2-count
- Eagle Brand Medicated Oil-24ml-Pack 12
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship supplements from the US to Vietnam?
Usually yes, if bottles are sealed and clearly labeled. For larger-than-personal quantities, ask TCS first.
Can I ship medicine to Vietnam?
Medicines, even over-the-counter ones, are an "ask first" item. Send a photo of the label and the quantity before packing.
Do cosmetics or perfume cost extra?
They may. Both can carry special customs surcharges not shown in the online estimate; TCS lists them in your quote.
I live in another state. How do I send these items?
Pack the box yourself and request a label online. See creating a shipping label online or our shipping label service.
Ready to pack? Estimate your cost on the ship to Vietnam page, drop your box at 15131 Weststate St, Suite B, Westminster, CA 92683, and follow it with the tracking tool on our homepage. Questions about a specific item? Call (714) 379-8787 or message us on Zalo at (949) 979-6888.
