Container Shipping from Vietnam to the USA by Sea 2026
Container shipping costs from Vietnam to the USA by sea include ocean freight, carrier surcharges and local charges at both ends. From Cai Mep and Cat Lai to the Long Beach and Los Angeles port complex, there are both direct and transshipment services, with transit times of about 19 to 40 days depending on the carrier, per schedules checked on 19/10/2026. From 24/07/2026, some Vietnamese goods entering the USA also face an additional 12.5% tariff.
Table of contents:
I. What charges does container shipping to the USA include?
The cost of an FCL export shipment to the United States is overseen by the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The total cost includes international ocean freight, carrier surcharges and local charges at both ports.
Cost component | Nature & basis | Detailed items |
1. Ocean freight (O/F) | The main-leg ocean transport charge from a Vietnamese port to US seaports. | Priced per container (20'DC, 40'GP, 40'HC), for direct or transshipment services. |
2. US trade carrier surcharges | Seasonal surcharges, fuel price adjustments and maritime security charges specific to the North America trade. | Bunker Surcharge (BAF/LSS), Peak Season Surcharge (PSS), General Rate Increase (GRI), Carrier Security Surcharge. |
3. Local charges in Vietnam (POL) | Fixed charges collected by the carrier for handling and documentation at the export port. | THC for US/Canada, seal, DOC, telex release/email release, VGM charged per carrier rules in Vietnam. |
4. Destination & filing charges in the USA (POD charges) | Mandatory US security filing costs and terminal handling costs at the discharge port. | AMS security filing, ISF importer security filing, D/O fee, PierPass (TMF), Clean Truck Fund (CTF at LA/LB). |
Common export local charges on the US trade:
When exporting containers to the US West Coast, businesses should budget for the origin port charges listed in the standard tariffs of major carriers (such as Evergreen, COSCO, ONE, CMA CGM, HMM):
Terminal Handling Charge (THC): The US and Canada trade usually has separate THC scales for each equipment type (standard 20', 40', 45' dry containers or special and oversized containers).
Seal fee: Provision of an international-standard security seal fixed to the container doors before gate-in at the port.
Bill of Lading fee (DOC): Charged per export B/L set; carriers offer a reduced fee when shippers submit shipping instructions (SI) online via the web portal.
Email Release / Telex Release fee: Applies when the shipper authorizes electronic cargo release to the consignee in the USA.
AMS / ISF filing fee: The cost of transmitting manifest data automatically to US Customs (CBP) before the vessel's departure deadline.
Change fees (Late Payment / Amendment / Switch B/L Fee): Apply for late payment, manifest amendments after cut-off or B/L changes on request.
II. How are container rates from Vietnam to the USA determined?
The transpacific trade from Vietnam to the US West Coast (USWC) is one of the fastest-moving and most complex trades in global shipping. Ocean freight is shaped by service contracts filed with the FMC, periodic general rate increases (GRI), seasonal surcharges and the type of service:
Direct express service: Minimizes time at sea and the risk of delays, but requires early booking and comes at a higher rate.
Transshipment service: Suitable for cargo that is not urgent, helping businesses optimize their logistics budget.
To ensure transparency and avoid gaps between reference prices and the carrier's actual rate at the time of loading, H-Cargo does not publish a fixed rate table.
Simply provide the basic details: port of export (Cat Lai, Cai Mep or Hai Phong), destination in the USA (Long Beach, Los Angeles or an inland point), container type and cargo ready date to receive the best vessel option and an accurate quote.
NEED AN ACCURATE, COMPETITIVE CONTAINER RATE TO THE USA? H-Cargo specialists help compare direct vs transshipment services, secure space in peak season and negotiate the best free time.
Related articles:
- Container shipping from Vietnam to Trinidad and Tobago by sea 2026
- Container shipping from Vietnam to Paraguay by sea 2026III. Which US ports does cargo arrive at, and what are the actual schedules from Vietnam?
The San Pedro Bay port complex, made up of the Port of Los Angeles (UN/LOCODE: USLAX) and the Port of Long Beach (UN/LOCODE: USLGB) in California, is the largest container import gateway on the US West Coast. According to BigSchedules data checked on 19/10/2026, cargo from Cai Mep and Cat Lai has both direct and transshipment services; schedules may change weekly:
Carrier | Service / Mother vessel | Port of loading (POL) | Port of discharge (US POD) | Transit time |
Matson | Feeder connecting to CLX / MAX (MILD CHORUS) | Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai) | Long Beach (USLGB) | Transshipment via feeder, confirmed per voyage |
Evergreen | PVCS / PRX / OGWC (CSCL ATLANTIC / EVER MATCH) | Cai Mep / Ho Chi Minh City | Long Beach (USLGB) | 19 - 25 days |
HMM | MP2 / PS5 (HMM GARAM / YM MATURITY) | Cai Mep / Ho Chi Minh City | Long Beach (USLGB) | 21 - 26 days |
COSCO / OOCL | SEA / AAC / PVCS (COSCO YANGPU / CSCL BOHAI) | Ho Chi Minh City / Cai Mep | Long Beach (USLGB) | 24 - 25 days |
ONE | PS3 / PS7 / MS2 (YM UNANIMITY / WAN HAI A19) | Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai) | Long Beach (USLGB) | 23 - 30 days |
SM Line | CVT (REN JIAN 6) | Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai) | Long Beach (USLGB) | 28 - 34 days |
CMA CGM | CV7CNC / SEASIA76 (MAERSK PORT KLANG / NEWPORT CYPRESS) | Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai) | Long Beach (USLGB) | 23 - 40 days (transshipment) |
IV. Factors that directly affect transit time and cost to the USA
Exporting to the US market requires businesses to understand 3 key operational risks:
Direct or transshipment: Direct services from Cai Mep are usually faster with less risk of rollover. Transshipment via Shanghai, Ningbo or Busan takes longer and risks missed connections when hub ports are congested.
Port congestion and chassis shortages in the USA: During peak shopping seasons (Back-to-School, Black Friday, Christmas), Long Beach and Los Angeles may run short of container chassis, increasing pickup waiting times.
Customs exams: Shipments held for X-ray scanning (VACIS) or physical inspection (Tailgate/MET) incur storage costs and longer clearance times.
V. What should you note when exporting containers to the USA?
The US market has strict requirements on security filings, wood packaging and road weight limits. From our experience on the US trade, the H-Cargo team advises shippers to note:
Negotiate DEM/DET free time at destination: free time at US West Coast ports is usually short and varies by carrier and terminal. Agree on extra free time at booking to match expected clearance and drayage times.
Wood packaging standard (ISPM 15): pallets and dunnage made of natural wood must be heat-treated (HT) or fumigated with methyl bromide (MB) and bear a valid ISPM 15 mark. If violations are found, CBP can order the shipment re-exported.
Cargo weight for US road transport: gross vehicle weight on federal interstate highways is generally limited to 80,000 lb (about 36.3 tonnes), so the cargo weight you can actually carry is often lower than the container's payload. Check with your US agent before stuffing.
VI. What documents and customs procedures are required for imports into the USA?
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) applies a strict electronic filing system to secure the supply chain before cargo arrives at US seaports:
Required document / filing | Receiving / managing authority | Key operational notes |
AMS security filing (Automated Manifest System) | US Customs (CBP) | The carrier or NVOCC must transmit manifest data at least 24 hours before the vessel departs the port of loading. |
ISF security filing (Importer Security Filing 10+2) | US Customs (CBP) | The US importer must file 24 hours before the vessel departs the port of loading. Late or incorrect filings face penalties of up to USD 5,000 per violation. |
Customs Bond (Single / Continuous) | US Customs (CBP) / Surety company | Required for every commercial import shipment into the USA valued over USD 2,500 to secure payment of duties. |
Commercial Invoice & Packing List | Discharge-port customs / US broker | State the Incoterms, the 10-digit HTSUS code, a detailed description of the goods and a clear country of origin. |
Ocean Bill of Lading | Carrier / US agent | A Seaway Bill or Telex Release is preferred for fast cargo release. |
Agency permits (FDA, EPA, USDA) | FDA / USDA / TTB (USA) | Mandatory for food, beverages, cosmetics and medical devices (FDA facility registration and Prior Notice required before arrival). |
US import duties: Check the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) on the official portal hts.usitc.gov. In addition to import duties, goods entering the USA are subject to the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) and Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF).
Additional tariff from 24/07/2026: Vietnamese goods in the affected groups face an extra 12.5% under the conclusion of the USTR Section 301 investigation, covering about 37% of Vietnam's current export value to the USA after excluded products (Ministry of Industry and Trade, 28/07/2026). The exact rate depends on the HTSUS code; check with a US broker before finalizing your selling price.VII. Frequently asked questions about shipping to the USA (FAQ)
1. How many days does container shipping from Vietnam to the US West Coast take?
Per schedules checked on 19/10/2026, transit time from Cai Mep and Cat Lai to Long Beach/Los Angeles is about 19 to 40 days depending on the carrier and whether the service is direct or transshipment. Transshipment routes can take longer if a connection is missed at the hub port.
2. What is the ISF 10+2 filing, and what happens if it is late?
The ISF is a security filing of 10 data elements from the importer and 2 from the carrier, submitted to US Customs (CBP) 24 hours before loading. Late, inaccurate or missing filings are fined USD 5,000 per violation.
3. How do the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach differ?
The two ports sit side by side in San Pedro Bay (California), both serving the western US economy and the intermodal rail (IPI) network inland. The terminal used depends on which terminal the carrier calls at (such as TTI, Pier 400 or LBCT).
4. How can I get the most competitive container rate to the USA?
Simply contact H-Cargo via the quote form with the commodity, weight, port of loading and cargo ready date, and our Pricing team will check service contracts and reply with the best solution.
VIII. Conclusion
Container shipping to the USA is not just an ocean freight figure: the total cost also depends on peak season surcharges, local charges at both ends, AMS/ISF filing fees and US import duties. Three things to do before confirming a booking:
Choose direct or transshipment based on your delivery deadline, not just the rate.
Check the HTSUS code and the 12.5% additional tariff with a US broker.
Confirm DEM/DET free time and the ISF filing schedule before the cargo is loaded.
The H-Cargo team compares schedules and quotes per shipment on the US trade, stating the carrier, routing, surcharges and validity date.
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 cited: BigSchedules transpacific schedules (checked 19/10/2026); Evergreen / ShipmentLink tariff (effective 2026); US Customs and Border Protection CBP (cbp.gov); Port of Long Beach & Los Angeles portals; HTSUS tariff schedule (hts.usitc.gov); Matson Vietnam service (matson.com); Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade - USTR Section 301 investigation conclusion (28/07/2026). Information is for reference only and is not a quotation. Check that regulations and tax policies are still in force at the time of use.
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