The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)

The EVFTA entered into force on 1 August 2020, making Vietnam one of the few Southeast Asian countries with preferential access to the EU market. The agreement eliminated duties on approximately 65% of EU imports from Vietnam immediately, with the remainder phased out over 7 to 10 years.

For Spanish importers, the categories that benefit most are garments, footwear, electronics, furniture and food products — all significant Vietnamese export sectors. Under standard EU MFN tariffs (which apply to countries without a trade agreement), duties on these goods can range from 6% to 12% or more. Under the EVFTA, many reach zero.

The EVFTA reduces duties — it does not eliminate customs formalities. All shipments from Vietnam still require customs clearance in Spain. A DUA must be filed, import VAT (21%) is assessed on the customs value, and physical inspections can happen. What the agreement saves is the import duty, not the border process.

Rules of Origin: Getting the Paperwork Right

To benefit from EVFTA preferential duty rates, the goods must genuinely originate in Vietnam. Your Vietnamese supplier must provide one of two documents:

Without one of these, Spanish customs will apply standard EU MFN tariff rates. The origin document must accompany the shipment — it cannot be obtained retroactively.

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Anti-Dumping Duties: Check Before You Ship

The EVFTA does not override EU anti-dumping or countervailing measures. Some Vietnamese products — including certain steel and iron goods and bicycles — are subject to additional anti-dumping duties on top of any preferential or standard rate. Always verify your product's full duty position in the EU TARIC database before committing to a shipment.

What Spanish Importers Most Commonly Source from Vietnam

Shipping Times and Main Ports

Sea freight from Vietnam to Spain takes 25 to 35 days. The two main Vietnamese export ports are Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai terminal) in the south and Hai Phong in the north. Most services route via transshipment hubs such as Port Klang (Malaysia) or Singapore before heading west. Air freight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City takes 3 to 5 days to Spain.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) entered into force on 1 August 2020. It covers all EU member states, including Spain, and progressively eliminates duties on most goods over a 7–10 year transition period. Around 65% of tariff lines went to zero immediately.
Under the EVFTA, most goods benefit from reduced or zero duty rates. The exact rate depends on the product's HS code and the agreement's phase-out schedule. Without valid proof of Vietnamese origin, standard EU MFN tariff rates apply — which are significantly higher for many product categories.
Your Vietnamese supplier must provide either a EUR.1 movement certificate issued by Vietnamese customs, or a statement of origin on the commercial invoice from an exporter registered under the EU's REX system. Without one of these, Spanish customs cannot apply the preferential rate.
Yes, on some products. Certain steel goods and bicycles from Vietnam carry EU anti-dumping duties on top of the applicable tariff rate. Check the EU TARIC database for the full duty picture on your specific product code before importing.
Standard documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and the DUA (Spanish customs declaration). To claim EVFTA preferential rates, add the EUR.1 movement certificate or REX statement of origin from your Vietnamese supplier.
Sea freight: 25 to 35 days from Ho Chi Minh City or Hai Phong, typically via Port Klang or Singapore. Air freight: 3 to 5 days from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Spain.