Furniture is one of the main export items of our country. Export volume is increasing, and by 2020, Vietnam officially surpasses China to become the largest furniture exporter to the US with a value of US$7.405 billion. This is also a strong product that SMG has, with 60% of the US export volume. So, how to export furniture goods from Vietnam to US?

1. What is furniture goods?

Vietnam’s export furniture products are very diverse, including tables and chairs, beds, cabinets, other furniture used in homes, offices, hotel projects, restaurants,… some big branches that exporting furniture such as: Kaiser, Woodnet, Saigon River Factory,…These factories are mainly concentrated in Binh Duong and the southern provinces of Vietnam. Therefore, this item will be exported mostly from Ho Chi Minh port and Qui Nhon port.

2. Documentation for exporting wooden furniture

Furniture is not banned for exporting. However, base on type of wooden that made to this furniture goods, the procedure and require documentation is different.

–  For natural wooden furniture:

• Custom Declaration sheet (if material woods is import produce)
• List of forest products.
• Invoice
• Packing list
• Contract
• Bill of Lading
• Fumigation

– For industrial wooden furniture:

• Invoice
• Packing list
• Contract
• Bill of Lading
• Fumigation

HS code for furniture commodity will be regulated in chapter 94, pls find HS code for some furniture produce that import to US

o          Furniture and furniture parts not elsewhere specified or included (HS Code 9403), accounting for 37.8% of total U.S. furniture imports

o          Seats and seat parts (HS Code 9401), accounting for 36.3% of total U.S. furniture imports

o          Lamps and lighting fittings and parts (HS Code 9405), accounting for 17.9% of total U.S. furniture imports

o          Mattress supports and bedding (HS Code 9404), accounting for 6.1% of total U.S. furniture imports

3. Delivery furniture cargo from Vietnam to US

To export furniture cargo from Vietnam to US, we can use both air and sea lines.

According to air freight, this is the fastest option, with transit times as short as two days. It will be the best option for urgent cargo, cargo with small volume of require special condition for delivery. As there are no direct flights between Vietnam and the US, your cargo will have to transfer at least once. Also, your consignment will be subject to customs and security checks, which lengthens the overall travel time.

For ocean line, this may be better option due to cheaper rate and comfortable for more types of commodity. Shipping by sea line can use container 20 and 40, but if your cargo is smaller, LCL service is more economical method. However, ocean service has  transit time much longer than air service

Delivery furniture cargo from Hochiminh port to US

From Hochiminh, we can export cargo from Cai Lai port or Cai Mep port, SMG provide ocean service for many routes such as:

Hochiminh to  Los Angeles- Port code: USLAX

Hochiminh to  New York- Port code: USNYC

Hochiminh to Houston- Port code: USHOU

Hochiminh to  Savannah- Port code: USSAV

Hochiminh to  Norfolk- Port code: USORF

Hochiminh to  Chicago- Port code: USCHI

…

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 23 days

HCM- MIA: around 40 days

HCM- HOU: around 35 days

HCM- SEA: around 30 days

HCM- NYC: around 29 days

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

SMG provide all service for exporting cargo from Vietnam to US with competitive ocean freight and best service. If you have any question, don’t hesitate to contact to us.