Footwear export procedures

Footwear is an essential daily consumer item, and Vietnam ranks among the world’s leading footwear exporting countries. However, not everyone is knowledgeable about the procedures for exporting footwear in Vietnam. Hai Dang Logistics invites readers to follow the following article to better understand this topic.

Footwear export situation in Vietnam

Vietnam’s footwear industry has witnessed impressive growth in recent years, and 2024 is no exception. With an estimated 26-27 billion USD in total export turnover, this industry continues to affirm its position in the international market.

The US and the EU are still the two main export markets, accounting for a large proportion of Vietnam’s total export turnover. Market expansion and diversification is one of the key strategies to help the industry maintain its growth momentum, especially taking advantage of the Free Trade Agreements to which Vietnam is a member.

2024 will also see strong growth in emerging markets such as the Middle East and Africa, where there is an increasing demand for footwear consumption. Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, along with African countries such as South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, are becoming potential markets for Vietnam’s footwear industry.

Legal policies when carrying out procedures for exporting footwear

For footwear products made from genuine leather, it is extremely important to determine the origin of animal leather to know whether they are on the list of wild animals regulated by CITES 2017. If the leather is on the CITES list, exporting it to other countries can be complicated, especially when the product may be banned from being imported by the receiving country.

For processed products, the customs declaration process requires confirmation of the processing contract from the customs office.

Customs procedures for the export of footwear are practically no different from other items. However, for processed products, information about the processing contract needs to be supplemented when carrying out customs declaration procedures.

HS code and tax rate for footwear

To determine a specific HS (Harmonized System code) for a product, it is necessary to rely on the characteristics, components and other factors of the actual exported product. HS codes for exports are currently applied based on information from catalogues, technical documents (if any), or through the inspection process of the Customs Inspection Department. The actual inspection results from the customs authority and the Customs Inspection Department will be the legal basis for determining the HS code of the exported goods.

Based on the latest export tariffs of 2024, footwear under part XII, chapter 64: Shoes, sandals, clogs and similar products, as well as parts thereof, the following is an excerpt from chapter 64. Your business can refer to the following table:

HS Code	Description of goods
6401	Waterproof shoes, sandals with outsoles and rubber or plastic shoe caps, shoe caps, sandals that are not attached or assembled to the sole by sewing, riveting, swirling, inserting the sole, or the like.
6402	Other shoes and sandals have rubber or plastic outsoles and shoe caps.
6403	Shoes and sandals with rubber, plastic, tanned or synthetic leather outsoles and leather caps.
6404	Shoes and sandals with rubber, plastic, leather or synthetic outsoles and textile caps.
6405	Other shoes and sandals.

Footwear export tax is 0%.

Footwear export process to foreign markets

Step 1: Prepare dossiers and documents for customs procedures for the export shipment of footwear. This is an important first step, requiring businesses to have thorough preparation of documents, including sales contracts, commercial invoices, C/O certificates of origin, and packing slips.

Step 2: Open the declaration and customs clearance of footwear exports. At this step, the enterprise will make an electronic customs declaration and submit the necessary documents to clear the goods, ensuring that the shipment is exported legally and quickly.

Step 3: Contact the seller/shipping line/ logistics company to monitor the process of packing, transportation, and customs clearance. The shipping partner will help businesses closely monitor the transportation process, from loading the goods into containers until the goods arrive at the seaport or airport in the importing country.

In addition to the procedures stated, the export of footwear also includes a number of other important steps that businesses need to pay attention to:

• Inspect and ensure compliance with the quality and safety regulations of the import market. Each country has its own standards for product quality and occupational safety, so it is extremely important to understand and comply with these regulations.
• Carry out the registration steps and apply for an export license if necessary. Some markets require special export licenses or pre-import product registration procedures.
• Prepare and carry out product quality inspection steps before export. This may include internal audits or the use of the services of independent accreditation bodies.
• Planning transportation and insurance for goods. Choosing the right shipping method and purchasing cargo insurance will help protect your business from possible risks during transportation.
• Monitor and stay informed about market fluctuations, such as exchange rates, tariff policies, and other factors that may affect the cost and profitability of exports.
• Build relationships with partners and customers in the import market. This not only helps to strengthen the reputation and brand of the business but also opens up opportunities for long-term and sustainable export contracts.
• Update and comply with new regulations from the import and international markets. The import and export market is always volatile with new regulations being updated regularly, so it is necessary to keep a close eye on this information.

Above is detailed information about the footwear export procedure that we would like to share with you. If you have any questions related to HS codes, footwear export tax, please contact HDG Logistics for advice and support quickly