A shipment held up at customs is one of the most common ways a sourcing project loses money that was never in the budget. Storage fees accumulate daily, a retail launch date slips, and the cause is usually something small: a missing certificate of origin, an HS code that does not match the product description, or paperwork that was correct for a different shipment.
What the documentation actually needs to say
A clean export from Vietnam typically requires a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and a certificate of origin, plus any product-specific permits your category requires. The certificate of origin matters more than most buyers realize: it is what lets you claim reduced tariffs under agreements like the EVFTA or CPTPP, and an error there can mean paying full duty on a shipment that should have qualified for a lower rate.
Where the HS code becomes a problem
The Harmonized System code determines your duty rate and which import rules apply, and it is also one of the easiest things to get wrong on a product with any complexity, like a textile blend or a multi-material assembly. A misclassified code does not just cost money, it can trigger a customs hold while the shipment gets reviewed manually.
How we handle it
We prepare and check export documentation against your product and destination before the shipment leaves the factory, not after it is already sitting in a bonded warehouse. That includes confirming the HS classification, coordinating with the factory on origin documentation, and flagging anything that needs a permit ahead of time rather than at the port.