Bring a laptop to vietnam as gift. Is it possible?

Question

I keep hearing that the best way to give someone a laptop is to bring it back with you. However, I also heard that once you declare it with custom, they'll make sure you still have the laptop when you leave the country. If you give it to someone as gift, they'll make you pay some ridiculous tax. Has anyone done this before? Do you declare it or you bribe them to sneak in w/o declaring? I just want to bring back a laptop for my cousin.

Answer 1

I have been in and out of Noi Bai (Ha Noi's airport) dozens of times and I have always been carrying a laptop. Never declared it, and never been asked. We have 5 laptops in our house, all brought in by myself and my spouse. (3 have died and are not repairable, no we are not in the laptop import business!) I have brought numerous small electronics in, never declared anything, and given to colleagues that asked me to buy something for them.

I would be careful about trying to bribe people unless you get hassled. The customs officials are at stations placed very close to each other, and they just might get irritated if you put them in an embarrassing situation.

I have never heard of anyone being hassled. I would take it in a computer bag, not in the box.

Answer 2

most ppl just bribe the person checkin u.oh and its nice to bring a laptop for ur cuzin.and yes they do make u pay this tax thing.its happened to a lot of ppl i know.

Answer 3

I usually bring TWO laptops with me because I need them for work while I'm here in Vietnam. Like LD, I have been through Noi Bai (Hanoi) airport many times without ever being questioned by customs for my laptops. I've also been through Tan Son Nhut with my laptops without issue except for this last time.

I brought THREE laptops with me on this trip, and was questioned when my luggage was x-rayed at Tan Son Nhut and they found two laptops in one of my luggage (the third laptop was carry-on). The guy pulled me aside and asked why I had the two laptops. I mentioned it was for work, and he waived me through.

The unwritten rule is you are allowed to bring one laptop into Vietnam without issue. The second is supposed to cost $50 duty. The third cost $300-$500 duty. However, that is IF the customs official finds the laptops and you don't come up with a decent excuse why you have so many laptops.

One other thing...

Bribing customs agents in Vietnam is a thing of the past. The new International terminal at Tan Son Nhut makes it almost impossible to give a bribe even if you wanted to. The only time I ever bribed a Vietnamese custom agent was a couple years ago at Noi Bai when I was told by friends that I had to. I got my head bitten off for trying to do so. Those who tell you otherwise aren't up to speed with the changes Vietnam is making to promote more tourism.

Answer 4

last year my family and i went to SG during the summer and brought along 2 laptops and a dvd player. as we were goign through customs we put like a $20 bill in one of the passports but the guy didnt take it. while we were in vn we ended up giving away the electronics to family before going to the airport and was never asked about them...but then again i have an aunt and a family friend that works in customs and they were with us coming into VN and out  :D

Answer 5

If you bring only one laptop u don't need to declare. Put it inside your hand-luggage otherwise it will be StoleN.

Answer 6

me and and parents have brought electronic things to vietnam like a portable dvd players. what they would do is they would put like $20 or more in our passports before entering the security checkpoint in vietnam. they're usually very generous after they see the money. other than that i've never heard about paying taxes. hope that helps a little