Common Challenges and Solutions for Exporting Electronic Accessories to Vietnam Through Foreign Trade Agency

I.Market Background and Common Challenges of Exporting Electronic Accessories to Vietnam

In the first half of 2026,Vietnam’s import value of smartphone accessories reached USD 1.2 billion,a year-on-year increase of 18%.As Vietnam’s local smartphone assembly capacity upgrades to high-end products,demand for accessories such as smartphone batteries,chargers,and screen modules continues to rise.However,many domestic manufacturers have encountered repeated issues when attempting to export on their own: A certain battery factory in Shenzhen exported 1,000 units of batteries to Vietnam last year,but the shipment was detained at Haiphong Port for 10 days due to failure to obtain the UN38.3 certification in advance,resulting in a demurrage fee of RMB 23,000.A Zhejiang-based enterprise missed out on zero-tariff preferences because it was unaware of Vietnam’s 2026 adjustments to ASEAN Rules of Origin,and paid an extra 5% of the cargo value in tariffs.

II.Core Service Value of Zhongshen for the Vietnamese Market

As part of the upgraded ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) implemented by Vietnam in 2026,tariffs on electronic accessories have been further reduced,but the origin requirement of "local content ratio ≥ 40%" must be met.Meanwhile,Vietnam Customs has added a mandatory requirement for "Electronic and Electrical Safety Certification (VSC)" for battery products.Ms.Pan (head of the documentation team) from Zhongshen stated that the team updates the Vietnamese trade policy database monthly,and can quickly help clients match preferential policies.Last year,after sorting out the raw material procurement chain for a Shanghai-based client,the team successfully applied for the FORM E certificate of origin,helping the client save approximately RMB 12,000 in tariffs.

III.Targeted Breakdown of Agency Service Modules for the Vietnamese Market

1.Documentation Module: Accurately Match Vietnam’s Unique Certification and Declaration Requirements

The core requirements for export documents in Vietnam in 2026 include:

• Battery accessories must provide a valid UN38.3 certification report;
• To enjoy AFTA tariff preferences,the FORM E certificate of origin must be submitted,and declaration must be made through the Vietnam Customs electronic system 3 days in advance;
• All documents must be labeled in both Vietnamese and English,and the commodity code must match Vietnam’s latest 2026 version of the HS code.

The documentation team of Zhongshen adopts a "three-step pre-audit mechanism": First,verify the source of raw materials to confirm whether the origin rules are met; Second,verify the validity and content completeness of the certification report; Third,complete the electronic declaration 3 days in advance and simultaneously send the paper documents.Last year,a Guangzhou-based client had their documents returned twice due to errors,but after using Zhongshen’s agency services,their documents passed the audit on the first try.

2.Customs Clearance Module: Address Inspection,Quarantine and Transportation Barriers at Vietnamese Ports

In 2026,Vietnam’s key ports (Ho Chi Minh City,Haiphong Port) have adjusted the inspection and quarantine process for electronic accessories to "inspect first,then release",and battery products must be tested at the port-designated laboratory.Inland transportation requires a "Transit Cargo Transportation Permit",otherwise goods cannot be transported from the port to industrial zones such as Hanoi and Bac Ninh.

Mr.Tang (head of the customs clearance department) from Zhongshen stated that the team has 3 cooperating customs clearance agents in Vietnam,and can book port inspections 7 days in advance to avoid queuing.The agency can also assist in applying for transportation permits.Last year,a Jiangsu-based client’s goods were transported from Haiphong Port to the Bac Ninh factory 2 days earlier than self-handling,avoiding the risk of factory shutdown.

3.Tax Refund Module: Seize the 2026 Tax Refund Policy Window in Vietnam

Starting from January 2026,Vietnam has increased the tax refund rate for electronic accessories from 10% to 12%,but the following requirements apply:

• Consistency of "goods flow,capital flow and document flow" is required,and 12 documents including bill of lading,bank slip,and VAT invoice must be provided;
• The declaration time limit has been shortened from 30 days to 20 days,and the refund rate will drop to 8% if the declaration is overdue.

Mr.Wen (tax refund specialist) from Zhongshen has established a "tax refund tracking sheet" for each client,and starts collecting documents synchronously from the 3rd day after the goods are exported.Last year,92% of clients completed their declarations within 18 days.A Shenzhen-based client lost 2% of the refund rate due to delayed bank slips when handling the process on their own,but after using Zhongshen’s agency services,they successfully obtained the 12% refund rate,gaining an additional RMB 15,000 in tax refunds.

IV.Improvements in Customs Clearance Efficiency and Tax Refund Speed Brought by Agency Services

Zhongshen achieves efficiency improvements through standardized processes and integration of local resources:

V.Customized Services for Different Products and Target Countries

In addition to Vietnam,Zhongshen can also match local policies for exporting electronic accessories to other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Malaysia: For example,Thailand requires electronic accessories to provide TISI certification,while Malaysia requires the submission of RSPO Sustainable Palm Oil Certification if packaging materials are involved.Ms.Pan’s team will issue a "Policy Risk Assessment Report" in advance based on the client’s product type,Mr.Tang will coordinate customs clearance agents in the corresponding country,and Mr.Wen will follow up on changes in tax refund policies synchronously.

Whether you produce smartphone batteries,screen modules,or other electronic accessories,and regardless of whether your target country is Vietnam,Thailand,or Malaysia,Zhongshen can help you avoid policy barriers and allow you to focus on production.After all,over 20 years of industry experience cannot be accumulated through templates alone.