Is It Easy to Import Forklifts into Vietnam in 2026? Latest Regulations and Procedures

In recent years, imported forklifts have dominated the material handling equipment market in Vietnam. Many businesses are interested in importing forklifts from China, Japan, Korea, or Europe for warehouse operations or commercial distribution.

So, is it easy to import forklifts into Vietnam in 2026? What are the procedures and regulations? Let’s explore the details below.

1. Are forklifts allowed to be imported into Vietnam?

The answer is YES.

Forklifts are not listed in the prohibited import goods category in Vietnam. Therefore, businesses are allowed to import both new forklifts and used forklifts, as long as they comply with regulations related to:

Customs documentation
Quality inspection
Technical standards
Tax obligations

Currently, around 80–90% of forklifts used in Vietnam are imported, mainly from:

China
Japan
South Korea
European countries

2. Is it easy to import new forklifts?

Brand-new forklifts are the easiest type to import into Vietnam.

Businesses typically need to prepare the following documents:

Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Bill of Lading
Certificate of Origin (CO)
Certificate of Quality (CQ)
Product catalogue and technical specifications

After the goods arrive at the port, the process usually includes:

Customs declaration
Import quality inspection registration
Payment of import tax and VAT
Customs clearance

If the documents are complete, the clearance process usually takes 5–10 working days.

3. Is it difficult to import used forklifts?

Compared to new forklifts, used forklifts are more difficult to import because they must comply with regulations on second-hand machinery.

Common requirements include:

Equipment age not exceeding 10 years
At least 80% remaining quality
Clear technical documentation
Information about year of manufacture and serial number

In some cases, used forklifts must undergo technical inspection before customs clearance.

If the manufacturing year or technical data cannot be verified, the shipment may be rejected for import.

4. Import taxes for forklifts in Vietnam

When importing forklifts, businesses must pay several types of taxes.

Import Tax

The rate depends on the HS code and country of origin.

For example:

Forklifts from China: approximately 0–10%
Forklifts from Japan, Korea, or the EU: 0% if a valid CO is provided

Value Added Tax (VAT)

The common VAT rate is:

8% or 10%, depending on government policy at the time.

5. Are electric forklifts easier to import than diesel forklifts?

Currently, electric forklifts are generally easier to import than diesel forklifts.

Reasons include:

Electric forklifts do not require engine emission certifications
Technical documentation is simpler
They align with environmental trends

Meanwhile, diesel forklifts or engine-powered forklifts may require additional engine and environmental compliance checks.

6. Trends in Vietnam’s forklift import market

The Vietnamese forklift market is showing several clear trends:

Increasing demand for lithium electric forklifts
Businesses prefer fully imported forklifts
Forklifts from China are becoming increasingly competitive in price

Many companies choose to import forklifts by full container load to reduce costs and maximize profits.

Conclusion

Overall, importing forklifts into Vietnam in 2026 is not too difficult, especially for brand-new forklifts.

However, businesses still need to:

Prepare complete import documentation
Comply with quality inspection regulations
Understand the applicable HS codes and tax policies

When the correct procedures are followed, importing forklifts into Vietnam can be efficient and straightforward.