How to Import Cashew Nuts from Vietnam: A B2B Buyer’s Guide

Vietnam has developed a strong cashew processing and export industry, making it an important sourcing destination for international nut importers, wholesalers, distributors and food manufacturers.

However, knowing how to import cashew nuts from Vietnam involves much more than simply finding the lowest price.

Buyers need to consider the cashew grade, product specification, supplier capability, food safety requirements, packaging, payment terms, export documents and logistics before confirming an order.

This guide explains the main steps international buyers should follow when sourcing cashew nuts from Vietnam.

1. What Cashew Product Should You Import?

The first step is to prepare a clear product requirement.

Cashew kernels are available in many grades, so simply asking a supplier for a “cashew price” is usually not enough.

Common whole-kernel grades include:

• WW180
• WW210
• WW240
• WW320
• WW450

There are also broken and smaller grades such as splits, butts and pieces.

Among whole kernels, grades such as WW240 and WW320 are commonly used for wholesale, retail packing and food processing.

Before requesting a quotation, buyers should define:

Grade: WW240, WW320 or another grade

Product type: Raw, roasted, salted or flavoured

Quality requirements: Moisture, defects, colour, foreign matter and microbiological requirements

Packaging: Bulk or retail

Order quantity: Pallet, LCL or full container

Destination: Country and port

Providing these details allows Vietnamese suppliers to prepare a more accurate quotation.

2. How Do You Choose a Vietnamese Cashew Supplier?

One of the most important steps when learning how to import cashew nuts from Vietnam is supplier evaluation.

A low quotation does not necessarily represent the lowest overall purchasing cost.

Importers should evaluate whether the supplier can provide consistent products across multiple shipments.

Important points to check include:

• Is the company a manufacturer, processor, exporter or trading company?
• Does it regularly export food products?
• What food safety management systems are in place?
• Can the supplier provide specifications and laboratory reports?
• What cashew grades are available?
• Can it handle OEM or private-label production?
• What is the typical production capacity?
• What export markets does the company serve?
• Can it provide traceability by production lot?

For long-term sourcing, consistency is often more valuable than a small difference in price.

3. What Product Specifications Should You Request?

Before comparing prices from different suppliers, make sure you are comparing the same product.

A proper cashew specification may cover:

• Cashew grade
• Kernel appearance
• Moisture
• Broken percentage
• Defect tolerance
• Foreign matter
• Microbiological parameters
• Aflatoxin requirements
• Pesticide residue requirements
• Shelf life
• Packaging
• Storage conditions

Requirements can vary significantly depending on the destination market and end customer.

For example, a food manufacturer may have stricter microbiological or pesticide limits than a general wholesale buyer.

The agreed specification should therefore become part of the commercial agreement between supplier and buyer.

4. Should You Request Samples Before Ordering?

Samples are especially useful when working with a new supplier.

A buyer can evaluate:

Appearance: colour, size and uniformity

Texture: crispness and firmness

Taste: natural flavour, rancidity or unusual aftertaste

Odour: freshness and absence of undesirable smells

Kernel condition: broken, spotted or damaged kernels

For roasted or flavoured cashews, samples become even more important because buyers also need to evaluate seasoning, roasting level and texture.

For OEM products, there may be several rounds of sample development before final approval.

Once a sample is approved, the buyer should make sure the final specification clearly reflects the agreed product.

5. How Are Cashew Prices Determined in Vietnam?

Cashew price can change depending on raw material availability, grade, processing cost, packaging and international demand.

Therefore, importers should provide enough information when requesting a quotation.

A useful RFQ may include:

Product: Cashew Kernel WW320
Quantity: 1 × 20′ or 40′ container
Packaging: Bulk
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Incoterm: FOB or CIF
Required specification: Attached

The supplier can then quote on the same commercial basis used by the buyer for comparison.

Importers should also confirm:

• Price per kilogram
• Currency
• Incoterm
• Minimum order quantity
• Price validity
• Production lead time
• Payment terms
• Packaging cost
• Private-label cost if applicable

Cashew prices can move relatively quickly, so quotation validity is particularly important.

6. Should You Buy Cashews FOB or CIF?

Common purchasing terms for Vietnamese cashew exports include FOB, CFR and CIF.

FOB

Under FOB terms, the Vietnamese supplier delivers the goods on board the nominated vessel at the agreed Vietnamese port.

The buyer generally controls the international freight.

FOB can be useful for experienced importers that already work with freight forwarders or shipping lines.

CFR

The exporter arranges and pays the ocean freight to the destination port, while insurance remains the buyer’s responsibility.

CIF

The exporter arranges ocean freight and insurance according to the applicable Incoterm requirements.

For new importers, CIF may make freight arrangements easier. However, experienced buyers often prefer FOB because it gives them more control over shipping arrangements.

The best option depends on the buyer’s logistics structure and destination.

7. What Packaging Should You Confirm?

Bulk cashew kernels are commonly packed in food-grade inner bags placed inside export cartons.

However, packaging can vary depending on the product and buyer.

Before ordering, confirm:

• Net weight per carton
• Inner packaging material
• Vacuum or non-vacuum packing
• Carton dimensions
• Gross and net weight
• Pallet requirements
• Pallet material
• Labelling and shipping marks

For private-label products, additional information may be required, including retail pouch size, artwork, barcode, nutritional information and destination-market labelling.

Packaging should also comply with applicable food-contact regulations in the destination country.

8. What Food Safety Requirements Should You Check?

Import requirements vary by destination.

Cashew importers should check applicable rules covering areas such as:

• Aflatoxins
• Pesticide residues
• Microbiological safety
• Allergens
• Food-contact packaging
• Labelling
• Traceability

For example, food of non-animal origin imported into the European Union must comply with EU food hygiene and official control rules. The EU also recommends checking product- and destination-specific requirements through Access2Markets.

The importer should therefore tell the Vietnamese supplier about any specific market or customer limits before production begins.

Do not assume that a product accepted in one country will automatically meet the requirements of another market.

9. What Quality Documents Should You Request?

Depending on the market and buyer, common documents may include:

• Product Specification
• Certificate of Analysis
• Aflatoxin test report
• Microbiological test report
• Pesticide residue test report
• Allergen statement
• Food-contact packaging declaration
• Traceability information
• Food safety certificates held by the manufacturer

Some buyers also require third-party inspection or laboratory testing before shipment.

Quality requirements should ideally be agreed before the Purchase Order is issued rather than after production is completed.

10. What Is the HS Code for Cashew Nuts?

Correct customs classification is important for duties, customs clearance and trade documentation.

For ordinary shelled cashew nuts, HS 0801.32 is a commonly applicable six-digit classification. Vietnamese trade documentation also identifies 0801.32 as shelled cashew nuts.

However, classification can change depending on the degree of processing.

Roasted, flavoured, coated or otherwise prepared cashew products may require a different customs classification.

Importers should therefore confirm the final HS or national tariff code with their customs broker or relevant customs authority before shipment.

11. What Export Documents Are Required?

A typical international cashew shipment may involve documents such as:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Certificate of Origin where applicable
• Quality documents
• Insurance certificate when applicable
• Additional certificates required by the destination country

Certificates of Origin can be particularly important when preferential tariff treatment is available under a trade agreement.

Vietnam updated its rules on issuance and self-certification of origin under Ministry of Industry and Trade Circular 40/2025/TT-BCT, effective from 1 July 2025.

The exact documentation should always be confirmed for the destination country and product before loading.

12. What Payment Terms Are Common?

Payment terms are another important part of the import process.

Common international payment methods may include:

• T/T
• Letter of Credit
• Documentary collection such as D/P

The appropriate term depends on the relationship between buyer and seller, transaction value and commercial risk.

For the first order, both parties may prefer a payment structure that provides greater security.

As the business relationship develops, commercial terms can sometimes be reviewed based on order history and payment performance.

13. Should You Arrange a Pre-Shipment Inspection?

For a new supplier or large contract, pre-shipment inspection can provide additional assurance.

Inspection may cover:

• Product quantity
• Packaging
• Carton condition
• Shipping marks
• Product appearance
• Loading condition
• Container condition

Laboratory testing can be arranged separately when necessary.

Companies such as SGS, Intertek or other qualified inspection and testing providers may be used depending on the buyer’s requirements.

14. How Should Shipping and Container Loading Be Planned?

Cashew kernels should be protected from moisture, contamination and unsuitable storage conditions during transportation.

Before loading, suppliers should inspect the container for:

• Cleanliness
• Odour
• Water leakage
• Structural damage
• Excessive moisture
• Pest contamination

Cartons should also be loaded securely to reduce movement and physical damage during transport.

Buyers should confirm:

POL – Port of Loading

POD – Port of Discharge

Estimated transit time

Shipping line

Container type

ETD and ETA

Required shipping documents

Good logistics planning becomes particularly important when the buyer has a fixed production or retail schedule.

15. Should You Start with a Trial Order?

When working with a new supplier, starting with a sample, pallet order or trial shipment can reduce sourcing risk.

A trial order allows the buyer to evaluate:

• Actual product consistency
• Supplier communication
• Document accuracy
• Production lead time
• Packing quality
• Shipping coordination
• Product condition on arrival

If the trial order performs well, volumes can then be increased.

For long-term B2B relationships, supplier reliability over repeated shipments is much more important than performance on only one sample.

A Simple Cashew Import Process

For buyers wondering how to import cashew nuts from Vietnam, the process can be summarized as:

1. Define product and grade

2. Find and evaluate suppliers

3. Request specification and quotation

4. Check samples

5. Confirm regulatory requirements

6. Agree price, Incoterm and payment

7. Issue Purchase Order or contract

8. Production and quality control

9. Inspection and documentation

10. Container loading and shipment

11. Import customs clearance

12. Evaluate the shipment and supplier performance

Following a structured sourcing process helps buyers reduce both quality and commercial risks.

Conclusion

Understanding how to import cashew nuts from Vietnam starts with selecting the right supplier and defining the product clearly.

Importers should pay attention to cashew grade, specification, samples, food safety, packaging, Incoterms, payment terms, export documents and logistics before confirming a commercial shipment.

Price is important, but successful long-term sourcing depends equally on product consistency, documentation and reliable communication.

BIGITEXCO supplies Vietnamese cashew products to international B2B customers, including bulk cashew kernels and customized/OEM products.

We can support buyers with different cashew grades, specifications, packaging requirements, quality documentation and export arrangements.

Looking for a cashew supplier from Vietnam? Contact BIGITEXCO to discuss your required grade, quantity, packaging and destination market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cashew grades can I import from Vietnam?

Vietnamese suppliers commonly offer whole kernel grades such as WW180, WW210, WW240, WW320 and WW450, as well as broken grades and pieces.

What is the HS code for shelled cashew nuts?

Shelled cashew nuts are commonly classified under HS 0801.32. Processed products such as flavoured or coated cashews may require another classification, so the importer should verify the final tariff code.

Should I request samples before importing?

Yes. Samples allow buyers to evaluate appearance, taste, texture and general product quality before committing to a larger shipment.

What documents are normally required?

Commercial Invoice, Packing List and Bill of Lading are common shipping documents. Depending on the destination and transaction, a Certificate of Origin, COA, laboratory reports and other regulatory documents may also be required.

Can Vietnamese suppliers produce private-label cashews?

Yes, some manufacturers provide OEM and private-label services covering roasting, flavour development, retail packaging and customized specifications. Buyers should confirm the supplier’s production capability and MOQ before starting development.