Container Shipping from Vietnam to Jordan by Sea
Container shipping cost to Jordan by sea consists of ocean freight, carrier surcharges and local charges at both ends. Cargo from Cat Lai or Hai Phong enters Jordan through the port of Aqaba on the Red Sea and usually requires transshipment. In 2026, rates and schedules in the region are highly volatile due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Contents:
I. Which route does cargo to Jordan take and how long does it take?
Cargo bound for Jordan enters through the port of Aqaba, Jordan's only seaport, located at the northern tip of the Red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba). From Cat Lai or Hai Phong, cargo usually travels on a mother vessel and is transshipped at a hub port before reaching Aqaba. The specific transshipment port depends on the carrier and service at the time of booking.
Transit time is not fixed: whether the vessel goes through the Red Sea or around the Cape of Good Hope, where it transships and how long it waits for a connecting vessel all make a significant difference to the total. When you receive a quote, ask for the routing, transshipment port and transit time based on the actual sailing schedule rather than relying on a general figure.
II. How does the current Middle East situation affect shipments to Jordan?
Schedules and rates to Jordan are currently affected by two chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait (the entrance to the Red Sea). The information below is current as of 2 October 2026 and may change quickly.
Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea: according to Xeneta (9 September 2026), the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to container ships for more than half a year. Capacity through Bab el-Mandeb in August 2026 doubled year on year but was only about 23% of the August 2023 level, before the Red Sea crisis.
Maersk booking policy: according to its Middle East Operational Update 47 (16 September 2026), Maersk is still accepting dry cargo bookings to and from Jordan (Aqaba) but has suspended reefer and dangerous goods (DG) to Jordan; bookings for several Gulf countries such as the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain are suspended. This is Maersk's own policy; check directly with other carriers.
Risk surcharges: Maersk applies a surcharge of USD 1,000 per container for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, plus an Emergency Freight Rate of USD 1,800-3,800 depending on container type. Cargo to Aqaba usually does not pass through Hormuz, but if the carrier transships via a Gulf port, ask whether this charge is included in the quote.
Regional rate levels: also according to Xeneta, the China - Jeddah (Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port) spot rate on 10 September 2026 stood at USD 10,870/FEU, up 256% from before 28 February 2026. This is neither a rate to Aqaba nor an H-Cargo rate; it only shows how volatile the region is.
In practice: schedules are less reliable and rates can change between quotation and booking confirmation, so make sure your quote has a clear validity period.
III. What does the cost of shipping a container to Jordan include?
The cost of shipping to Jordan is the sum of ocean freight, surcharges and local charges at both ends, not a single fixed figure. When comparing quotes, ask for each item to be listed separately:
Item | Description | Notes |
Ocean freight (O/F) | Base ocean freight from the port of loading to Aqaba | Varies with vessel utilization, season and route conditions |
BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) | Surcharge for fuel price fluctuations | Adjusted periodically by the carrier |
Regional / risk surcharges | Surcharges due to route disruption, e.g. a Hormuz surcharge or Emergency Freight Rate | Ask whether it is included in the rate |
THC (Terminal Handling Charge) | Handling charges at the ports of loading and discharge | Charged per container |
Local charges in Vietnam | Documentation fee, seal, VGM, export customs declaration | Varies by carrier and port |
DEM/DET | Container and storage charges beyond free time | Agree on free time before booking |
H-Cargo does not publish a fixed rate for the Vietnam - Jordan lane because prices change with the booking date. Learn more about ocean freight surcharges, or request a quote to get 20'/40' rates based on current sailing schedules.
IV. What goods are commonly shipped to Jordan, and should you choose FCL or LCL?
The table below lists key considerations for some product groups commonly exported to the Middle East:
Product group | Examples | Notes for Jordan |
Textiles and garments | Clothing, fabrics | Confirm standards and labelling requirements with the importer |
Agricultural products and food | Rice, coffee, cashew nuts, dried fruit, seafood | Health/sanitary certificates required; for fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and dairy, the importer usually needs a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture or registration with the JFDA before shipment |
Consumer goods | Footwear, plastic products, household goods | FCL or LCL depending on volume |
Machinery, construction materials, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics often require special packaging and regulatory handling, so check with H-Cargo before booking. Note: Maersk has currently suspended dangerous goods (DG) and reefer cargo to Jordan.
FCL or LCL?
FCL (full container load): suits large shipments, with less handling and easier control of timing.
LCL (less than container load): suits small shipments consolidated in a shared container to reduce cost. Because the route involves transshipment, LCL cargo goes through extra consolidation and deconsolidation steps, so ask for the specific consolidation schedule.
V. What documents are required to export from Vietnam and import into Jordan?
The basic document set includes the Commercial Invoice, Packing List and Bill of Lading. Some goods require additional regulatory documents:
Document | Notes | Source |
Commercial Invoice | State country of origin, unit price, quantity, currency and HS code | Trade.gov (Feb 2026) |
Packing List | Details of each package | Trade.gov (Feb 2026) |
Bill of Lading | Original or surrender/telex release as agreed | Industry practice |
Certificate of Origin (C/O) | Not mandatory but customary; a chamber of commerce certification may be needed when Jordan Customs requests it | Trade.gov (Feb 2026) |
Health/sanitary certificate | Applies to food and agricultural products; Jordanian authorities include the Ministry of Agriculture and the JFDA | USDA FAIRS (Jun 2025) |
Importer registration: Jordan requires importers of commercial goods to be registered traders or legal entities holding an importer card issued by Jordan's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply, or to post a guarantee equal to 5% of the goods' value (Trade.gov).
No Vietnam - Jordan FTA: as of February 2026 the two countries had no bilateral free trade agreement, so Vietnamese goods do not receive specific FTA tariff preferences in Jordan; the C/O mainly serves to prove origin. Learn more about what a C/O is.
On the Vietnam side: the export declaration is filed on VNACCS; the HS code, commodity policy and export duty must be checked against current regulations for each actual shipment.
Need a quote for Vietnam - Jordan? Call H-Cargo: +84 888 909 186, or request a quote.
VI. What should you watch out for when shipping to Jordan?
Confirm the transshipment route before agreeing on a price. The transshipment port determines both transit time and surcharges, especially in the current situation.
Get a quote with clear validity and terms. Ask for the validity period, which surcharges are included and the free time at destination.
Documents must match. Cargo details, country of origin and HS code on the invoice, packing list and B/L must be consistent to avoid customs delays.
Confirm in advance with the importer in Jordan regarding the C/O, permits and regulatory certificates, especially for food and agricultural products.
Build in buffer time for orders with tight deadlines, as regional schedules are currently unreliable.
Related articles:
- Container shipping cost to Malta by seaVII. Frequently asked questions
Do container shipping rates to Jordan change weekly? They can. Ocean freight and regional surcharges change with vessel utilization and route conditions, so you need a quote at the time of booking.
How long does container shipping from Vietnam to Jordan take? It depends on whether the routing goes through the Red Sea or around the Cape of Good Hope, the transshipment port and connecting schedules. Ask for the transit time based on the actual sailing schedule when you receive a quote.
Is there a direct service from Vietnam to Jordan? Cargo usually has to be transshipped at a hub port before reaching Aqaba; whether a direct service is available depends on the carrier and timing.
What documents are needed for shipments to Jordan? At a minimum, a commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading. A C/O is not mandatory but customary; food and agricultural products also need a health certificate. Confirm with the importer in Jordan before shipping.
VIII. Conclusion
Container shipping cost to Jordan by sea consists of ocean freight, surcharges and local charges at both ends, and it currently fluctuates with the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. Cargo enters through the port of Aqaba and usually requires transshipment, so routing drives most of the transit time and cost.
Before confirming a booking, do 3 things:
Ask for the routing: transshipment port, Red Sea or Cape of Good Hope, and transit time based on the sailing schedule.
Request an itemized quote with its validity and any risk surcharges.
Confirm documents with the importer in Jordan, especially the C/O and permits for food.
H-Cargo handles shipments to Jordan end to end: pickup from your warehouse, export documentation and customs clearance in Vietnam, ocean freight to the port of Aqaba and coordination of door delivery to the consignee.
H-Cargo supports you from ocean freight quotes and export documentation to shipment tracking on the Vietnam - Jordan lane. Request a quote or contact us directly for a plan tailored to your shipment.
Author: Navy Ngo - Marketing Specialist
Contact us for a free consultation: H-Cargo International Logistics · 113-115 Ung Van Khiem St., Ward Thanh My Tay, Ho Chi Minh City · Tel: +84 888 909 186 · Email: jack.tran@hcargovn.com · Web: www.hcargovn.com
Sources: Maersk, Middle East Operational Update 47 (16 Sep 2026); Xeneta, Weekly Ocean Container Shipping Market Update (9 Sep 2026); U.S. Trade.gov, Jordan Import Requirements and Documentation (Feb 2026); USDA FAIRS Export Certificate Report Jordan (Jun 2025); Tuoi Tre News on Vietnam - Jordan trade relations (Feb 2026). Accessed 2 Oct 2026. For reference only; not a quotation or legal advice. Check schedules, surcharges and regulations at the time of shipment. This article was written with AI assistance and reviewed by an H-Cargo specialist.
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