Shipping Tailored Clothes From Vietnam: A Complete Guide

Most visitors to Hội An carry their tailored garments home in their luggage, which is usually the simplest and most cost-effective option. But for those who've commissioned more than they can comfortably fit in a suitcase, are planning ahead from overseas, or simply prefer not to deal with the logistics of packing a suit for a long-haul flight, shipping directly from Vietnam is entirely achievable — provided you understand the options and plan accordingly.

This guide covers everything from the carry-on question to courier services, import duty by destination country, how garments are packaged for transit, and what to do if something goes wrong on arrival.

Your Options: Carry On, Check In, or Ship

Carry on: A jacket and trousers can, with correct folding, be carried in most overhead locker bags. This is best for a single suit or blazer where you want zero handling risk. The garment goes in a suit carrier or is folded carefully inside a soft bag. The downside is that overhead space fills up quickly on busy routes, and there's always some compression involved.

Check in: Checking in a suit in a hard-shell suitcase is the most common approach and works well. A 28-inch hard-shell can accommodate two to three suits comfortably if they're folded correctly and protected with a light garment bag or tissue paper. The main risk is rough luggage handling and the small chance of baggage delay — but for most travellers on direct or one-stop routes, this is perfectly reliable.

Ship separately: Best for larger commissions, remote orders, or situations where you can't or don't want to carry everything. International courier services operate from Hội An and Da Nang with reliable tracking and professional packaging. The main additional considerations are cost, customs paperwork, and import duty at the destination — all of which are covered below.

How Be Li Tailor Handles International Shipping

For clients who need their completed orders shipped directly, Be Li Tailor arranges packaging and courier booking in-house. Garments are pressed and steamed before packing, wrapped in acid-free tissue, and packed flat or in a garment box depending on the destination and courier requirements. We use DHL for most international shipments because of their tracking reliability and customs documentation support.

Shipping fees are passed through at cost — we don't charge a premium on courier services. You'll be given a tracking number and invoice once the shipment is booked, and we'll follow up if there are any customs queries at the destination end. For questions or to arrange a remote order with shipping, reach us via our contact page or WhatsApp.

Couriers and Timelines to Different Countries

The main international couriers operating from Hội An and Da Nang are DHL, FedEx, and Vietnam Post (EMS). Here's a realistic timeline guide:

• Australia and New Zealand: DHL/FedEx express — 5–8 business days. EMS — 10–14 business days.
• United Kingdom: DHL/FedEx express — 7–10 business days. EMS — 14–20 business days.
• United States and Canada: DHL/FedEx express — 5–8 business days. EMS — 12–18 business days.
• Germany, France, and Western Europe: DHL/FedEx express — 6–9 business days. EMS — 12–18 business days.
• Singapore and Southeast Asia: DHL/FedEx express — 3–5 business days. EMS — 7–10 business days.

These timelines assume no customs delays. Allow an additional five to seven days buffer around Vietnamese public holidays (Tết, National Day) when logistics services may slow down significantly.

Import Duty: What to Expect by Country

Import regulations vary significantly by country. A brief overview of the most common destinations:

Australia: Personal concession of AUD 900. Above this, GST (10%) applies plus potential customs duty. Under the ASEAN-Australia FTA, duty rates on Vietnamese clothing are relatively low.

New Zealand: Personal concession of NZD 1,000. GST (15%) applies above this threshold.

United Kingdom: Personal concession of £390. Import VAT (20%) and customs duty apply above this. Clothing from Vietnam is subject to standard UK tariff rates.

United States: De minimis threshold of USD 800 — goods below this value are typically cleared without duty. Above USD 800, US customs duty and applicable fees apply.

European Union: Personal concession of €430 (or €150 for shipped goods). VAT at the destination country rate applies above this.

The general advice: declare goods honestly and keep receipts. For shipped goods, accurate commercial invoices are required — DHL and FedEx can advise on documentation. Understating values is not only dishonest but creates customs delays and potential penalties that outweigh any marginal saving.

How Garments Are Packaged for Shipping

The packaging method matters more than most people realise. A suit jacket that arrives crushed or with a fold line pressed hard into the lapel from a poorly-packed box is a frustrating outcome. Be Li Tailor's shipping process for garments follows these steps:

1. Garments are pressed and steamed immediately before packing.
2. Jackets are folded using the inside-out shoulder method to protect the lapels and chest.
3. Each garment is wrapped in acid-free tissue to prevent moisture transfer and fabric movement during transit.
4. Items are packed in a rigid or semi-rigid garment box — not a soft poly mailer — to prevent compression from other packages.
5. A professional hang is packed with the box for use on arrival.

On arrival, hang garments immediately and allow any minor transit wrinkles to drop for 24–48 hours before pressing. Most well-packed wool and linen garments recover their shape without steaming or ironing after a few hours on a good wooden hanger.

What to Do If Something Arrives Damaged or Incorrect

Courier damage to garment boxes is rare but happens. If a package arrives visibly damaged, photograph the outer packaging before opening it, and photograph any damage to the garments inside. File a claim with the courier immediately — DHL and FedEx both have documented claims processes, and claims must typically be filed within seven days of delivery.

If garments arrive and there is a fitting issue — a hem that's wrong, a seam that's come undone — contact Be Li Tailor directly via our contact page or WhatsApp. We keep all client measurements and order records on file, and we'll assess the best path forward, which may involve advising on a local alteration, or in the case of a construction fault, arranging for the garment to be returned and corrected.

This is also a good reason to inspect completed garments thoroughly before leaving the studio. See our complete tailoring guide for what to look for at collection, and our article on commissioning for destination events if you're planning around a specific occasion.