From 01 July 2026, nearly 94,053 import-export enterprises operating through Ho Chi Minh City’s seaport system will officially benefit from the city’s decision to waive port infrastructure fees, ending a charge that had sparked controversy for years. The policy comes after more than two months of consultations, stakeholder feedback, and revisions to the draft proposal, culminating in its approval by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council (HCMC People’s Council) on 19 June 2026.

The decision to waive port infrastructure fees in Ho Chi Minh City is more than just a budgetary measure. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the policy’s development from the proposal stage to implementation, including applicable entities, transitional provisions, and the actual impact on businesses of different sizes, based on the latest official data from the HCMC People’s Committee and HCMC People’s Council.

1. From the April Proposal to the Official Resolution on 19 June

This policy did not emerge overnight. Since April 2026, amid rising fuel prices and increasing ocean freight costs, the HCMC Department of Construction had sought opinions from relevant stakeholders on a draft proposal to exempt port infrastructure fees for three years.

At that time, the Vietnam Ship Agents, Brokers and Maritime Services Association (VISABA) stated that the policy “should have been implemented earlier” to provide businesses with more time to recover, while also warning that if the exemption lasted only three years and fees were later reinstated, logistics costs would continue to place pressure on businesses in the long term.

After revisions and completion of the draft, on 19 June 2026, the HCMC People’s Council officially adopted Resolution No. 12/2026/NQ-HDND on the exemption of fees for the use of infrastructure facilities, service works, and public utilities within the city’s seaport gate areas.

The Resolution takes effect from 01 July 2026 to 30 June 2029, equivalent to a three-year implementation period.

Note: Several draft versions circulated during the consultation phase (April-May 2026) referred to an effective period from June 2026 to 31 May 2029. However, these dates were revised in the final Resolution approved on 19 June 2026, establishing the official implementation period from 01 July 2026 to 30 June 2029.

2. Legal Basis for the Fee Exemption Policy

Resolution No. 12/2026/NQ-HDND is based on the following legal foundations:

  • The Law on Fees and Charges 2015, particularly Clause 1, Article 21 regarding fee exemptions and reductions in specific circumstances.
  • Resolution No. 91/2025/NQ-HDND, which stipulates the collection rates for the use of infrastructure facilities, service works, and public utilities in HCMC seaport gate areas and came into effect on 05 January 2026.
  • Resolution No. 12/2026/NQ-HDND, which temporarily exempts the entire fee amount in order to support businesses and promote economic activities.

In essence, Resolution No. 12/2026/NQ-HDND does not abolish the fee schedule established under Resolution No. 91/2025/NQ-HDND. Instead, it temporarily grants a 100% exemption from the payment obligation during the three-year implementation period, after which the city will evaluate the policy’s effectiveness.

3. Cargo Eligible for Port Infrastructure Fee Exemption

According to Article 2 of Resolution No. 91/2025/NQ-HDND, the exemption applies to all cargo categories that were previously subject to port infrastructure fees, regardless of country of origin or industry sector, including:

  • Export and import cargo with customs declarations opened outside Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Temporary import for re-export cargo and temporary export for re-import cargo.
  • Transit cargo and transshipment cargo.
  • Goods stored in bonded warehouses.
  • Containerized cargo, bulk cargo, liquid cargo, and oversized or overweight cargo handled through the city’s seaport system.

4. Cargo Not Subject to Port Infrastructure Fees

In addition to the groups benefiting from the exemption under Resolution No. 12/2026/NQ-HDND, several categories of cargo had never been subject to the fee, including:

  • Imported goods directly serving national defense and security purposes.
  • Import and export goods used for social welfare, disaster recovery, epidemic response, or humanitarian relief purposes.
  • Other exemptions prescribed under specialized legislation.

5. Who Was Required to Pay the Fee Before 01 July 2026?

Prior to the implementation of Resolution No. 12/2026/NQ-HDND, the following entities were responsible for paying the port infrastructure fee:

  1. Cargo owners with import-export shipments handled through HCMC seaports.
  2. Transport operators carrying cargo through seaport gate areas.
  3. Authorized companies appointed by cargo owners to handle declarations and fee payments.
  4. Freight forwarders and logistics companies making declarations and payments on behalf of customers.
  5. Customs brokers and customs declaration service providers acting under authorization.

6. Port Infrastructure Fee Schedule Before the Exemption

During the effective period of Resolution No. 91/2025/NQ-HDND (05 January 2026 – 30 June 2026), the following fee rates applied:

Cargo TypeUnitFee (VND)
Transit cargo, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import – 20ft containerVND/container2,200,000
Transit cargo, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import – 40ft containerVND/container4,400,000
Transit cargo, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import – Bulk cargo, liquid cargo, non-containerized cargoVND/ton50,000

For regular import-export cargo, fees were calculated based on cargo type, packaging method, and customs declaration location in accordance with Resolution No. 91/2025/NQ-HDND. From 01 July 2026, all of these charges will be reduced to VND 0 until 30 June 2029.

7. Transitional Provisions for Cargo Cleared Before 01 July 2026

A key point businesses should note is that the exemption policy does not apply retroactively.

For cargo that had already passed customs supervision areas before Resolution No. 12/2026/NQ-HDND took effect, but for which fees had not yet been paid or had been incorrectly declared, fee collection, additional assessments, or refunds would continue to be processed under Resolution No. 91/2025/NQ-HDND.

Practical example: A 40-foot container that completed customs clearance on 28 June 2026 must still pay the full fee of VND 4,400,000 under the previous schedule, even if payment is made in July 2026. By contrast, cargo cleared from 01 July 2026 onward will automatically enjoy a 100% exemption.

The fee collection authority will complete all transitional cases before officially suspending port infrastructure fee collection activities.

8. Logistics Cost Reduction by Business Size

According to estimates by the HCMC People’s Committee, the benefits of the exemption vary depending on business size due to differences in the share of port infrastructure fees within total logistics costs.

Business SizeDirect Logistics Cost Reduction
Small enterprises0.34% – 0.51%
Medium enterprises0.11% – 0.17%
Large enterprises0.03% – 0.05%

The policy therefore provides relatively greater benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises, which generally bear higher fixed logistics costs per shipment.

9. Why Is This Policy Arriving at the Right Time?

The global logistics industry in 2025-2026 continues to face pressure from geopolitical tensions, disruptions along major maritime routes, supply chain restructuring, and rising costs for ocean freight, fuel, and cargo insurance.

Domestically, Vietnamese import-export enterprises are also dealing with higher interest rates, exchange rate fluctuations, warehousing expenses, and administrative costs.

Against this backdrop, HCMC’s decision to forgo budget revenue in order to support businesses is widely viewed as a strategic move to strengthen the competitiveness of Vietnamese trade and logistics.

10. Expected Impact on Nearly 94,053 Import-Export Enterprises

According to HCMC authorities, approximately 94,053 enterprises were previously subject to port infrastructure fee payments, generating annual revenue of approximately VND 2.39 trillion for the city budget in 2026.

This translates to an average annual payment of approximately VND 25.4 million per enterprise.

Over the three-year exemption period, the total support provided to the business community is estimated to reach approximately VND 7.17 trillion.

For businesses with high shipment volumes or frequent use of HCMC’s major ports such as Cat Lai Port, Hiep Phuoc Port, and Cai Mep – Thi Vai Port, the exemption is expected to contribute significantly to reducing logistics costs and improving international competitiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When does the port infrastructure fee exemption policy take effect?
The policy takes effect from 01 July 2026 to 30 June 2029 under Resolution No. 12/2026/NQ-HDND approved by the HCMC People’s Council on 19 June 2026.

Which types of cargo are eligible for the exemption?
All cargo previously subject to fees under Resolution No. 91/2025/NQ-HDND, including import-export cargo, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import, bonded warehouse cargo, transit cargo, and transshipment cargo.

Will cargo cleared before 01 July 2026 receive refunds?
No. Cargo that passed customs supervision areas before the effective date remains subject to the previous fee regulations.

Do businesses need to complete any procedures to receive the exemption?
No additional administrative procedures are required. Eligible cargo will automatically benefit from the exemption from 01 July 2026 onward.

Will HCMC resume collecting the fee after 30 June 2029?
The current Resolution only provides for a three-year exemption period. Any future extension, adjustment, or reinstatement of the fee schedule will depend on policy evaluations conducted by HCMC authorities.