1. Introduction — Why do many businesses pay higher taxes than necessary??

Same imported shipment, CIF value 500 million VND.

Enterprise A pays import tax only 5%. Enterprise B submits it 20%.

The difference of 75 million VND is just because of a small decision.

Reality, Many Vietnamese SMEs are still paying higher taxes than necessary. The most common reason: Wrong declaration of HS code, no valid C/O, or do not clearly understand how to calculate VAT on CIF price + import tax. As a result, costs increase, profits decrease, even collected after post-audit.

Import tax is not a fixed number — but a cost that can be legally optimized if the business understands the rules.

In CQL, We once supported a business importing industrial machinery. Just because of declaring the wrong HS code, Enterprises pay 18% tax instead of 0% under the FTA. After rechecking and adding C/O in the correct form, The entire shipment is tax refunded and saves more than 120 million VND.

2. What is import tax?? Understand correctly in 2 minutes

Import tax is a state tax levied on goods when brought from abroad into Vietnam.

Theo Export Tax Law, import tax 2016 (modify, additional), Import taxes are intended to protect domestic production, regulate trade and increase budget revenue.

There are three main taxes that businesses need to pay attention to when importing:

• Import tax (tariffs).
• VAT (10% on most merchandise).
• Special consumption tax (if applied to goods such as wine, bia, cigarette).

Many businesses only calculate import tax but forget VAT. Reality, VAT is calculated on the total CIF price + import tax, So if one step is wrong, the whole thing is wrong.

3. Types of tax rates: MFN vs FTA vs special

Insight is important: FTA can reduce import taxes 0% in many products, but only if there is C/O valid.

Businesses who want to understand how to choose the correct C/O form to enjoy FTA incentives can refer to the article Types of C/O Form AK, VK, D, E, AI: Distinguish details & how to choose correctly.

4. How to calculate import tax (There are specific examples)

Standard calculation formula according to Decree 134/2016/ND-CP (modify):

1. Import tax = CIF price × Tax rate
2. VAT = (CIF price + Import tax) × 10%

Real-life example: Shipment of electronic components, CIF price = 200 million VND.

• MFN tax rate = 10% → Import tax = 200 × 10% = 20 million.
• VAT = (200 + 20) × 10% = 22 million.
• Total tax = 42 million VND.

If applicable FTA with correct C/O (tax rate 0%):

• Import tax = 0 VND.
• VAT = 200 × 10% = 20 million.
• Save now 22 million VND only on one shipment.

CQL It is common to see many businesses calculating VAT incorrectly, leading to under-declaration and subsequent fines.

5. Import tariff schedule 2026 — understand it properly

Import tariff schedule 2026 issued together with Decree 26/2023/ND-CP and the latest amendments (including Decree 72/2026/ND-CP). Enterprises look up accordingly HS code 8–10 digits.

Each HS code can have up to 4 tax rates:

• Ordinary tax
• MFN tax
• FTA tax
• Absolute/mixed tax

Important note:

• Do not copy HS code from the supplier.
• Must look up the correct description of the goods and check the special management policy (licensing, quarantine…).

CQL once handled a case where a business declared an incorrect HS code, Customs collected more than 180 million VND just because the goods description did not match.

6. 4 ways to optimize legal import taxes

Method 1: Use C/O under FTA Choose the correct C/O form (VK, AND, E, D…) to enjoy preferential tax rates of 0–5%.

Method 2: Classify HS codes accurately Look carefully at the 2026 tariff schedule and detailed product descriptions.

Method 3: Choose reasonable Incoterms FOB or CFR Helps better control taxable value CIF or DDP. Your business can refer to the details FOB, CIF, CFR, DDP: Compare detailed costs, risk & how to choose correctly and What are Incoterms?? 11 Most Easy-to-Understand Delivery Conditions of 2026.

Method 4: Optimize declared value Declare the correct actual price according to the commercial invoice, Avoid understatement or unreasonably high declaration.

CQL Apply these 4 methods in combination for every shipment, Helps businesses reduce tax costs by an average of 12–28%..

7. 3 mistakes that cause businesses to have tax arrears collected

Mistake 1: Wrong declaration of HS code → arrears + fine of 20–50% of tax deficiency.

Mistake 2: Using invalid or expired C/O → losing all FTA incentives.

Mistake 3: Incorrect declaration of taxable value (especially when using DDP or CIF) → Customs post-inspection and late payment penalty.

CQL once supported a business that had 320 million VND in arrears due to mistake number 1. After complaining and supplementing records, The arrears decreased to less than 90 million VND.

8. Conclude & Consulting from CQL

Import tax not a fixed burden. Understand the correct calculation, Correctly checking the 2026 tax schedule and applying 4 legal optimization methods will help businesses significantly save costs per shipment..

CQL specializes in consulting on import tax optimization, Check HS code + C/O before shipping and support quick handling of arrears cases.

Your business is preparing a shipment of imported goods and wants to check taxes? Contact now CQL for practical support.

Cuong Quoc Freight Forwarding Company Limited

Office: 7th floor, Parami Building, 140 Bach Dang, Tan Son Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Hotline: 0972 66 71 66

Email: info@cql.com.vn

Website: https://cql.com.vn/

(The article is based on the Export Tax Law, import tax 2016 (additional modifications), Decree 134/2016/ND-CP (Amended by Decree 182/2025/ND-CP), Import tariff schedule 2026 and practical experience handling thousands of shipments of CQL in 2026).