Updated: 23 September 2026
Cross-border e-commerce covers Vietnamese businesses selling overseas, Vietnamese buyers ordering abroad and foreign platforms serving Vietnam. Each situation has different requirements. Identify whether you are the seller, importer, platform operator or service provider before planning compliance.
When foreign platforms fall within Vietnamese regulation
Article 27 of E-Commerce Law No. 122/2025/QH15 dated 10 December 2025 uses criteria including a Vietnamese language option, a .vn domain or transaction thresholds involving buyers in Vietnam. It contains an exception for direct-selling platforms without online ordering. [1]
Decree No. 248/2026/ND-CP dated 30 June 2026 sets a threshold of at least 100,000 transactions with buyers in Vietnam in one year, counted from 1 January, for relevant registration cases. Assess duties by model and specific criteria, not solely server location. [2]
Must every foreign platform deposit VND 20 billion
No. Article 27(5) of the Law covers certain platforms exempt from establishing a legal entity under treaty commitments, which instead appoint an authorised legal entity and make a deposit. Article 34(2) of Decree No. 248/2026/ND-CP sets a minimum of VND 20 billion for this case. [1][2]
Before budgeting, classify the platform, identify presence requirements and any treaty basis. Do not apply a platform deposit requirement to a small seller merely exporting through a marketplace.
What Vietnamese sellers should check before exporting
Review market access, labelling, standards, intellectual property rights and export documents. Permission to sell domestically does not establish eligibility in the importing country.
Build the checklist by product code. Food, cosmetics, electrical equipment and children's products require sector-specific assessment before advertising and accepting orders. Marketplace approval should not become a blanket conclusion for diverse products.
Clarify taxes and costs before setting prices
The customer price may include goods, freight, insurance, taxes and destination handling fees. Explain what is included, what extra amounts buyers may face and who handles import formalities.
Import duties depend on classification, value, origin and applicable rules. Do not promise every low-value order is exempt or recommend undervaluing goods or falsely declaring gifts. If charges are uncertain, request a written explanation from the logistics provider or customs agent.
For example, a customer seeing only the product price may dispute additional payment demanded on arrival even if the goods match their description. Transparent checkout costs reduce surprises and refused deliveries.
Designing cross-border returns and complaints procedures
Before selling, establish the return address, acceptance conditions, cost allocation and treatment of taxes and fees already incurred. For low-value goods, return shipping may exceed the product value; plan an appropriate response rather than decide under pressure case by case.
Agree support languages, response times, evidence requirements and escalation mechanisms. Buyers should retain seller and platform details, not only the advertised brand name.
Frequently asked questions
Does dropshipping remove product responsibility from sellers
No. Dropshipping describes fulfilment. Responsibility also depends on who contracts with the customer, makes promises, imports the goods and bears the relevant legal duties. Check suppliers and recall and return arrangements before selling.
Do international marketplace sellers need to check destination rules
Yes. Marketplace conditions sit alongside destination-market law. Review each country rather than copy the same description, label and policy everywhere.
Does a Vietnamese interface mean products have been inspected
Interface language alone proves no such thing. Buyers and sellers must still check product records, origin and relevant market circulation conditions.
Pilot a product group in one market with a clear process before expanding. Track delivery times, actual costs, return rates and complaints to improve the business model and compliance records.
Legal sources
[1] E-Commerce Law No. 122/2025/QH15 dated 10 December 2025, Articles 27–31.
