Vietnam sourcing decisions should begin with the product and manufacturing process, followed by a shipment-specific duty review. A trade announcement alone does not tell you the final cost of importing a particular item.
This article retains its original July 2025 publication date and URL. The September 25, 2026 revision replaces the earlier election scenario with dated historical context and a supplier-evaluation workflow. The rates discussed below describe past policy documents, not a current blanket rate for Vietnamese goods.
Key takeaways
- The October 2025 US–Vietnam statement described a framework; read it in its historical context.
- Later IEEPA changes mean its headline rate should not be carried forward as today's import quote.
- Confirm actual production and origin, classification, entry date and applicable provisions with your broker.
- Compare quality, lead times, order commitments and total cost before moving production.
What the 2025 framework said
The October 26, 2025 joint statement described a US–Vietnam trade framework. It stated a 20% reciprocal tariff on originating Vietnamese goods under Executive Order 14257, with selected products to be identified for a zero reciprocal rate. It also described further work before the agreement would enter into force. Those statements did not establish one all-inclusive rate for every product.
Subsequently, CBP's February 2026 notice ended collection of the listed IEEPA duties, including those under Executive Order 14257, for covered entries from February 24, 2026. Other duty programs were outside that notice's termination. The practical lesson is to confirm the applicable provisions for the shipment instead of budgeting from the 2025 headline.
Use the current Harmonized Tariff Schedule and broker-reviewed entry requirements for an actual purchase. This article does not reproduce a complete current tariff schedule or resolve a product's classification.
Ask where and how the product is made
Supplier location, dispatch location and customs origin are different questions. Request manufacturing details rather than treating an address on an invoice as the complete answer.
A suggested supplier evidence checklist:
- Factory identity: the business and facility performing the production.
- Materials and components: what goes into the item and where those inputs originate.
- Processing steps: the work performed at each location, including subcontracted work.
- Product specification: what the customer is buying and how the proposed item compares with the existing one.
- Supporting records: the documents your broker needs to assess the origin and classification questions.
US origin-marking regulations describe origin and the role of substantial transformation, with special rules in specified circumstances. Do not assume simple rerouting or repacking establishes Vietnamese origin. Ask the broker which origin rule applies to your particular product and duty program.
Compare the full supplier proposal
Use the same questions for the existing supplier and each candidate:
- Quality: what sample, inspection and defect-resolution process can be demonstrated?
- Capacity: what output and lead time can the factory commit to for your order?
- Commercial terms: what are the minimum quantity, deposit, payment timing and cancellation terms?
- Logistics: what freight, insurance, warehousing and entry costs are included or excluded?
- Import assumptions: who confirmed the classification, origin and applicable duty treatment, and when?
- Change control: what happens if materials, production location or shipment timing change?
Run the comparison using the landed-cost planning example. Compare a smaller trial order with a larger commitment rather than assuming volume savings outweigh inventory and quality risks. For fulfilment questions, use the 3PL evaluation guide.
Plan the customer-facing transition
A supplier change can affect stock availability, product details and delivery estimates. Before making customer promises, agree on which information is confirmed and which orders depend on the new supply.
Prepare a short internal brief with the affected products, approved delivery wording, cancellation/refund policy and escalation owner. Update it when new shipment information arrives. Keep a dated record of the information support staff were given so they can explain an order without guessing about trade policy.
Adapt the professional email response examples to the customer's specific question. If Chad supports your customer conversations, provide the approved policy and a route for unresolved questions. A useful response explains what happens to the order; it does not promise an unverified duty exemption or a guaranteed saving from changing suppliers.
