The United States is Vietnam’s largest export market with a turnover of 98.5 billion USD in 2021, up 22.2% over the same period last year. The US is a large market with increasing purchasing power and diversified product needs. On June 6, US President Joe Biden announced a 24-month tax exemption for solar panels imported from 4 Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, to promote clean energy production in the country. Export solar panels is increasing and SM Global handle many solar panels shipments from Vietnam to US.

1. Exporting solar panels from Vietnam
   1. Main exporter

Most of the companies exporting solar panels are foreign-invested companies and are concentrated in the North of Vietnam. Some famous brands such as: First Solar (Cu Chi), HT Solar (Haiphong), Vina Solar (Lao Cai), Trina Solar (Bac Giang), JA Solar (Bac Giang), Canadian Solar (Hai Phong), IREX Solar (Vung Tau).

1. Hs code and tax

HS code for solar panels is: 85414022

Solar panel export tax is 0%.

1. Procedure of exporting

Solar panel products are not on the list of goods banned from export, so enterprises can carry out normal export procedures.

When working with shipping units, exporters need to clearly inform whether this kind of goods have batteries or not, if there are batteries, they will have to declare as dangerous goods and have an MSDS for further inspection. If the solar panel does not have a battery, it can be seen as general cargo.

• Documentation for exporting solar panel cargo:
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Customs sheet
• Bill of lading
• CO, CQ ( if any)

1. Delivery solar panel from Vietnam to US by sea

From Vietnam, you can ship solar panel cargo to some main ports in US as below:

• USEC port: including ports in the east coast of the US, such as: USBAL – BALTIMORE,MD, USCHA- CHARLESTON,SC, USHOU – HOUSTON,TX, USMIA- MIAMI, USMOB- MOBILE,AL, USNYC- NEW YORK,NY, USSAV- SAVANNAH,GA, USTAM – TAMPA,FL,…
• USWC port: including ports in the West coast of the US, such as: USLAX- LOS ANGELES, USLGB- LONG BEACH, USOAK- OAKLAND, USSEA- SEATTLE, TACOMA, PORTLAND,…
• Inland port: CHICAGO, MEMPHIS, KANSAS, CLEVELAND,…

Due to the fact that demand for exporting cargo to US is so high, almost lines provide service with both direct and transit service. With direct service, the vessel will call to other port before arrive destination, but no change the vessel during the journeys. With transit service, our cargo will discharge at transit port, then load into other vessel (mother vessel) to port of discharging. Transit port may be: China ports (Shanghai, Ningbo, Nansha,…), Kaohsiung, Hongkong, Singapore, Busan,… normally, direct service will be better with short transit time and less risk.

You can see transit time for some routes as below:

HCM- OAK    : around 26 days

HCM- LAX: around 25 days

HCM- MIA: around 40 days

HCM- HOU: around 35 days

HCM- SEA: around 30 days

HCM- NYC: around 30-35 days

In peak seasons or in covid-19 situation, the transit time may be fluctuated and increase.

2. Why choose SM Vietnam Global Logistics for delivery cargo

We have many year experience for exporting shipment

SM Global Logistics is known as one of the leading freight forwarding companies in Vietnam, providing ocean freight, air freight for export- import cargo service, customs clearance and local trucking. We can handle all term, include DDP until final destination. Until now, we have 4 branches in Vietnam and the network of agents all over the world to ensure handling shipment for many routes and types of commodity.

SM global Logistics have good relationship with vendor and lines

SMG get our own trucking team with a big volume of truck and we are able to arrange special vehicle for all kinds of cargo. Besides, we have contract with many line: ONE, Wanhai, EMC, Yangming, Cosco, …so SM Global confident with competitive rate, even if arrange a huge of space.

We always bring the best customer service, ready for 24/7

We are always ready to answer, solve problems that related to shipment in order to provide the best service. With the spirit of international working, we not only work according to the Vietnamese time zone, but also have someone on duty to ensure that we do not miss any of our customers’ needs. We believe, good service will be what keeps customers more than anything.

SM Global’ strength is exporting cargo from Vietnam to US

We had experience in handling US shipment, and US shipment accounting for around 70% total volume cargo (data 2021), with a big volume, we got competitive ocean freight and other service also.

• The main commodity: garment, seafood, furniture, agricultural goods, iron and steel, …
• Volume per month: From 80- 100 containers (20 DC & 40HC)
• Port of loading: Ho Chi Minh port, Hai Phong port, Da Nang Port, Qui Nhon port