Indonesian contractors and material importers can import AAC blocks from Vietnam through a straightforward five-step process: confirm technical specifications, request an FOB quotation, prepare ASEAN trade documentation, arrange sea freight, and verify compliance with local building requirements. This guide walks through each step for a first-time import order.
Indonesia’s construction market is expanding across Java, Sumatra, and the outer islands, and procurement teams are increasingly comparing domestic AAC producers against export-ready suppliers in neighboring countries. Vietnam has become one of those sourcing options, but importing directly from a Vietnamese manufacturer for the first time raises practical questions: what specifications to confirm, how customs paperwork works between the two countries, and how to be sure the blocks will hold up to a sea crossing and meet your project’s requirements. Below is what’s involved when you import AAC blocks from Vietnam, from spec confirmation through delivery at an Indonesian port.
Why Indonesian Buyers Are Looking at Vietnam-Sourced AAC Block
Indonesia already has established domestic AAC producers, so an import decision usually comes down to price competitiveness, product consistency, and reliable lead times — not availability. Vietnam’s AAC manufacturing sector has grown alongside the country’s own construction boom, giving Vietnamese suppliers export experience and capacity for palletized sea shipments. For a buyer comparing options, the practical question is whether a Vietnamese supplier can match your required specifications, provide clear English-language documentation, and deliver a container-ready product without transit damage.
Step 1: Confirm the AAC Block Grade and Dimensions You Need
AAC block is produced in several grades, and the right one depends on the load and acoustic requirements of your wall.
| Grade | Compressive Strength | Dry Density | Sound Transmission Class (STC) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B3 | 3.5 MPa | 451–550 kg/m³ | 38 dB | Non-load-bearing partition walls |
| B4 | 5.0 MPa | 551–650 kg/m³ | — | General masonry, mid-density applications |
| B6 | 7.5 MPa | 651–750 kg/m³ | 48 dB | Higher-load and acoustic-sensitive walls |
Standard block size is 600 × 200 mm, with thickness options of 75, 100, 150, and 200 mm (custom thicknesses available on request).
Before requesting a quote, confirm which grade your project engineer or specifier has approved. These figures are tested under the supplier’s own certification methods (STC per ASTM E413), so ask your local engineer to confirm the specification is compatible with your project’s Indonesian SNI requirements before finalizing an order.
Step 2: Request an FOB Quotation From Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnamese AAC exporters typically price on an FOB (Free on Board) basis from Ho Chi Minh City. To get an accurate quote, send the supplier: block grade and thickness, total volume needed (in m³), and your destination port in Indonesia (for example Tanjung Priok, Tanjung Perak, or Belawan). Because pricing depends on volume, thickness mix, and current freight rates, request current FOB pricing directly rather than relying on a published price list — sea freight rates between Vietnam and Indonesia move with fuel costs and shipping line schedules.
Step 3: Prepare Vietnam–Indonesia Trade Documentation
Vietnam and Indonesia are both ASEAN member states, so shipments typically move under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). Ask your supplier to prepare:
- Certificate of Origin (C/O) Form D, to support preferential import duty treatment under ATIGA
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and any available test certificates for the grade ordered
Confirm the HS code your customs broker will use for AAC block, since correct classification affects duty calculation on the Indonesian side.
Step 4: Plan for Container Loading and Sea Freight
AAC block is lightweight but brittle, so packaging quality matters more here than for standard concrete block. Ask your supplier how pallets are wrapped and secured for sea transport, and what protection is used against moisture exposure during the Vietnam–Indonesia crossing — AAC is porous and can absorb water if pallets are damaged or left uncovered at port. If your supplier can provide packing and container-loading data (units per pallet, weight per pallet, approximate m³ per 20ft or 40ft container), request it before finalizing order quantities, since it determines how many containers your shipment will need.
Step 5: Confirm Compliance With Indonesian Building Requirements
Indonesia applies its own national standards (SNI) to construction materials, alongside international references used across ASEAN markets. Vietnamese-made AAC block is generally manufactured to TCVN 7959:2017 (Vietnam’s national AAC standard), with properties comparable to international references such as ASTM C1693 and EN 771-4. Before placing a large order, have your project engineer check the technical data sheet against your specific project’s SNI and building code requirements. This is a one-time check that avoids costly mismatches later, and a supplier that stands behind its product should provide full TDS documentation to support it.
AAC Wall System Components to Order Alongside the Block
AAC block is normally installed as part of a matched system, not as a standalone product. When importing block, ask whether the supplier also exports the components it’s designed to work with: a thin-bed mortar for block-to-block joints, a flexible mortar for movement-sensitive joints, and a skimcoat finishing mortar. Ordering the matched system reduces the risk of adhesion or shrinkage problems that can occur when AAC block is installed with a generic masonry mortar not formulated for its density and joint thickness.
Building a Reliable Vietnam-to-Indonesia Supply Chain
Importing AAC block from Vietnam is a manageable process once the first order is set up correctly: confirmed specifications, an FOB quote tied to real volumes, ATIGA-compliant paperwork, and packaging that survives sea transport. Once that process is proven on a first shipment, reordering for later project phases is largely a matter of repeating the same steps with a supplier relationship you’ve already established.
FAQ
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for importing AAC blocks from Vietnam?
MOQ is generally tied to efficient container loading rather than a fixed unit count — most suppliers structure orders around partial or full 20ft/40ft containers. Share your project’s total volume and destination port so the supplier can quote MOQ and container mix for your shipment.
How long does shipping take from Vietnam to Indonesia?
Transit time between Ho Chi Minh City and major Indonesian ports depends on whether the route is direct or transshipped, plus production and documentation time before the vessel departs. Ask your freight forwarder for a current transit estimate on your specific port pair, since schedules change with shipping line and season.
Do Vietnamese AAC blocks meet Indonesian SNI requirements?
Vietnamese AAC block is manufactured to TCVN 7959:2017 with properties comparable to international standards such as ASTM C1693 and EN 771-4. Because SNI compliance is assessed against Indonesia’s own national standard, have your project engineer or a local certification body confirm the specific grade against your project’s SNI requirements before finalizing a large order.
What documents do I need for customs clearance in Indonesia?
At minimum, expect to need a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading — and, to claim preferential ASEAN duty treatment, a Certificate of Origin (C/O) Form D under ATIGA. Your customs broker can confirm the exact document set and HS code classification required for your shipment.
Get a Quotation
Technical data sheets, test certificates, and packing/container-loading references for your selected grade are available on request. Contact Anh Nhien Xanh for pricing and product specifications:
- Email: info@aac-block.com
- WhatsApp: +84 888 69 4499
- Website: aac-block.com
- Address: 330/72/31 Le Duc Anh, Binh Tan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam