If you choose to import from Vietnam, it is definitely a smart choice! In this post, Inochi will explain why and show you how to import plastic household items directly from Vietnamese plastic manufacturers. Make sure you have a general understanding of some key points mentioned in this article. Don’t worry if you have no idea about Vietnamese plastic products manufacturers, because we also show how to choose the most suitable one.
1. Benefits of Importing Plastic Products From Vietnam
Importing from Vietnam brings your businesses advantages:
Low price:
Thanks to the low cost of labor, premises, constructions and recent Chinese regulation banning the import of waste plastics, Vietnam plastic manufacturing has become a serious alternative to China plastic products. Plastic products are employed in all aspects of life such as plastics material, construction material, production of plastic household items (consumer product).
Convenient geographic position and developed supplies chain:
Vietnam is considered to be an ideal destination for foreign businesses with its supply chain capacities and convenient geographic position. As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in the center of Southeast Asia, in the Asia-Pacific region – the most dynamically developing region today, Vietnam has a particularly favorable position for import and export. Located on the main axis of the East-West Economic Corridor, Vietnam connects the Pacific and Indian Oceans, creating great potential for socio-economic development. There are 10 main seaports throughout the country, such as Hai Phong, Da Nang and Saigon Seaports, transporting goods to destinations all over the world.
Free trade agreements:
Vietnam has signed numerous free trade agreements with significant partners, expanding the potential for export. For instance, AFTA gives advantages on transactions within ASEAN, and the BTA benefits the transaction between Vietnam and the US. Moreover, Vietnam has bilateral free trade agreements with the United Kingdom, Cuba, Chile, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Israel, and regional trade agreements with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union.
High quality products:
Made of virgin plastic integrated modern technology such as Ag+ technology. The foreign direct investment has led to automation and rise above this industry. Involvement of international investors has changed the sector’s appearance and also supports the modernization of the local plastic industry.
Diversity in products:
Plastic products in Vietnam can be served in many fields: Consumer, Construction, Packaging, and Technical. For each sector, they are also diverse in uses, shapes, sizes and styles.
For those reasons, the Vietnam plastic industry has grown rapidly with an annual gross rate of 16% to 18%, despite being very young compared to other well-established industries like machinery, textile, wood and furniture, or chemical. The plastic manufacturers in Vietnam have been getting much attention from international buyers compared to other sectors, observing a huge relocation from China, Taiwan, Korea or even Japan based factories to Vietnam in recent years.
2. Comprehensive guide to import from Vietnam
This is the step-by-step guide to import from Vietnam, specifically importing plastic products:
2.1. Finding the Right Plastic Manufacturer to Import From Vietnam
To find the most suitable plastic manufacturer to import from Vietnam for plastic houseware or any products, these are some ways:
Online research
In the digital world, online research is the most convenient and effective way. You can do research on Google Search, or some e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba or Amazon. There are a lot of plastic products suppliers, manufacturers and wholesalers doing business online. On the internet, you can search for basic information and customers review about these houseware manufacturers.
By online research, you can also connect with suppliers via email, hotline, e-commerce platforms or directly from their websites.
Trade shows and exhibitions
Attending trade shows and exhibitions for plastic products is a good way for finding big players in the market. In the trade show and exhibition, you can meet plastic products suppliers in person, directly connect to them and discuss mutual needs. There are some big trade shows held in Vietnam you can attend:
- Vietnam International Retail & Franchise Show (VIETRF)
- Vietnam International Furniture & Home Accessories Fair (VIFA-EXPO)
However, extending trade shows and exhibitions may cost you time, money and effort due to geographical distance.
Sourcing agents
While attending trade shows and exhibitions is costly and online information does not satisfy you, hiring a sourcing agent may be a smart option. Sourcing agents may help you to find suitable plastic products suppliers or manufacturers. They have extensive knowledge about the local market to satisfy your requirements. In addition, they can also assist you with negotiations, quality assurance and shipments. But one disadvantage of this method is that you must be quite reliable on them.
2.2. Inspecting Quality and Assurance
When you import from Vietnam or any countries, make sure quality inspection and assurance is conducted. This action is to minimize the risks of receiving low-quality products and help identify problems before shipment.
The Quality Inspection and Assurance can be done by visiting the manufacturers in the imported country. You can also hire a third party to check the credibility of the plastic manufacturer before signing a contract.
2.3. Negotiating Terms and Pricing
When you find a suitable manufacturer, negotiation terms and pricing is the next step. There are some main terms to negotiate:
- Payment terms (e.g.,T/T, L/C, Paypal, Payoneer)
- Shipping terms (e.g., FOB, CIF, CFR, EXW)
- Production time and schedules: It depends on the manufacturer. It often takes about 10 to 60 days to deliver, excluding the time for plastic product manufacturing. You should contact the manufacturer for specific time needed.
- Warranty and post-purchase support
Don’t hesitate to ask the suppliers for in-depth information because they are parties which understand the market most. Suppliers can also support you to find the optimal terms to save your time and money.
Warranty and post-purchase service is very important because prestigious companies will treat their customers well for repeated purchases. By contrast, the companies without after-purchase service or not clear about this policy may not be long term B2B trading partners.
2.4. Logistics Optimization
Vietnam’s location presents both opportunities (for Asian countries) and challenges (for US-UK and Africa). However, the shipping cost can be optimized. Free Trade Agreements (FTA) is used by Vietnamese exporters to gain a competitive advantage. For this, the administrative procedures and tariffs may be much lower.
Moreover, there are various shipping methods available for plastic products imported from Vietnam such as sea freight, air freight and courier services.
Sea freight is often the cheapest option suitable for bulk orders, while air freight or courier services may be time-effective and suitable for small orders.
2.5. Delivery and Warehousing
When plastic products have arrived, you can hire a freight forwarder or a third-party logistics provider for delivery and warehousing solutions. This may also depend on the shipping terms on the agreement, so make sure you have careful consideration.
To store products most efficiently, ensure proper storage conditions for different product types (temperature, humidity, etc.). There are often storage instructions printed on each case, but you can also contact the supplier for more information if needed.
3. Important Notes to Import from Vietnam You Must Know
When businesses import from Vietnam, there are some important notes must be aware of:
3.1. Product Certifications
When considering importing products from Vietnam, it’s important to understand regulations and certifications. In terms of plastic products, there are some certifications required to ensure the quality of import products. They are the proof for the safety and environmental friendliness of the products. These popular certifications include:
- ISO 9001: Globally recognized standard for quality management, helping corporations to improve performances, commit to quality.
- ISO 14001: Internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems, requiring corporations to improve environmental performance.
- FDA: Ensuring food and drug products are safe for human consumption.
- BRCGS: BRC Global Standard contains requirements for food processors to build an effective food safety management system.
- RoHS ((Restrict of Hazardous Substances): Adopted by the European Union on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment
- BSCI: European social monitoring system for ethical sourcing, encouraging business committed to improving working conditions.
3.2. Countries Regulations
Also, you have to be aware of regulations and certificates required in your country to import from Vietnam. For example, in the US-UK, the products imported from Vietnam have to meet the European Union’s REACH or CPSIA (Chemical and Heavy Metal Regulations).
Or in South Africa, the Plastic Carrier Bags and Plastic Flat Bags (No. R. 625 of 2003) states that the manufacturing, trading, and commercial distribution of imported plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags, are banned for use within RSA.
Note: The regulations mentioned as examples are for reference only. They might no longer be valid due to changes or specifically be applied depending on each time and circumstance.
4. How to Import Plastic Housewares From Inochi Global
We will show you how import from Inochi Global as a specific example of procedure to import from Vietnam:
- Step 1: Finding Inochi Global a potential manufacturer to partner with, you could pay a visit to the factory or hire a third party to inspect the product quality. It is recommended that you make an appointment with the salesperson to be well taken care of and supported.
- Step 2: Continuing with negotiating and then making your order via an Inochi salesperson.
- Step 3: Coming into contract, you need to confirm the terms and policies as dealt. Feel free to ask for clarification if needed because after signing, both sides have to follow the contract.
- Step 4: Your order will be sent to the factory. Now you are just waiting and keeping updated about the delivery status. The goods will be transported to port of loading, ocean carrier, port of discharge.
- Step 5: When the goods arrive in your countries, it will be loaded to a container truck to be transported to your destination.
Please connect with Inochi Global via this link: https://inochiglobal.com/
In a nutshell, Vietnam plastic products are beneficial and very potential. The policy, regulations and the development conditions are favorable for foreign companies to import from Vietnam. However, the guide is not applicable for all countries importing from Vietnam. Please contact Inochi if you are interested in importing plastic household products. We will support you with specific guides for your location. Thanks for reading!
