As Vietnam strengthens its role as a leading global manufacturing hub, more businesses in the US are sourcing products directly from Vietnamese suppliers. While Vietnam offers competitive pricing and high-quality goods, one factor that significantly impacts total cost is import tax from Vietnam to the US.
Understanding duties, tariffs, and how they’re calculated is crucial if you want to avoid hidden fees and maximize profit. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know to import from Vietnam to the US, clearly and simply.
Quick Summary
- Import tax from Vietnam to the US includes customs duties, MPF, and sometimes harbor fees, depending on the product type and value.
- Most Vietnamese goods do not benefit from US free trade agreements, so duties typically apply.
- Correct HS Code classification is essential to avoid overpaying or customs issues.
- Products like textiles often face high duties, while furniture and electronics usually enjoy lower rates.
Why Import Tax Matters
When importing from Vietnam, understanding the import tax from Vietnam to US is critical, not just as a cost consideration, but as a key part of managing risk and ensuring compliance. Many businesses make the mistake of only calculating the product and shipping cost, but ignoring duties, tariffs, and handling fees can lead to unexpected expenses and even shipment delays at US customs.
Import taxes directly affect your total landed cost, which is essential for:
- Calculating profit margins accurately
- Setting competitive prices in the US market
- Making informed sourcing and logistics decisions
- Avoiding penalties or legal trouble with customs authorities
Even a small percentage difference in duty rate can add up quickly, especially for high-volume importers. The more you understand your tax exposure, the better you can optimize your sourcing strategy and ensure smooth cross-border operations.
Does the US Charge Import Tax on Goods from Vietnam?
Yes, the United States imposes import duties and taxes on many types of goods arriving from Vietnam. These taxes are collected by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when goods enter a US port or airport. The exact amount depends on several factors, including the product’s classification (known as an HS Code), its declared customs value, and the current US trade regulations.
Vietnam does not currently have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US, so the majority of Vietnamese goods are subject to standard tariff rates under the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). Unlike countries that benefit from duty-free access, importers of Vietnamese products must carefully check each product’s duty rate, which can vary from 0% to over 30%, depending on the item.
Despite the taxes, Vietnam remains a cost-effective sourcing destination for US businesses due to its competitive production costs, high quality standards, and growing export infrastructure.
How Is Import Tax from Vietnam to US Calculated?
Import tax from Vietnam to the US is determined by a combination of customs duties, processing fees, and sometimes additional tariffs depending on the trade environment. Understanding how these charges are calculated can help you plan your landed costs more precisely and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Here’s a breakdown of the main components:
- Customs Duty
This is the primary tax on imports. It’s applied as a percentage of the item’s “customs value”, typically the price paid for the goods, excluding shipping and insurance. Duty rates vary based on the product’s HS Code. For example, wooden furniture may have a 0–5% rate, while textiles could be taxed at 16–32%. - Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)
Charged by CBP on most imports into the US, this fee is usually 0.3464% of the customs value, with a minimum and maximum fee per entry (currently $31.67–$614.35 as of 2025). It’s small, but it applies to most imports. - Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF)
If you ship via ocean freight into the US, you’ll typically pay an HMF of 0.125% of the shipment value. This fee helps fund maintenance of US seaports and is only applied to ocean shipments. - Additional Tariffs or Penalties
Depending on evolving US trade policies, certain goods may face extra duties, such as anti-dumping duties or special tariffs related to Section 301 (mainly targeting goods of Chinese origin). If the product contains components from another country, CBP may scrutinize the country of origin to assess whether further tariffs apply.
In practice, the total import tax is calculated like this:
(Customs Value) × (Duty Rate) + MPF + HMF (if applicable) = Total Import Tax
For example, if you’re importing $15,000 worth of textiles with a 16% duty:
- Customs Duty = $15,000 × 16% = $2,400
- MPF = $15,000 × 0.3464% = $51.96
- HMF (if shipped by sea) = $15,000 × 0.125% = $18.75
Total Import Tax = $2,470.71
Knowing these components in advance lets you forecast costs, choose optimal shipping routes, and work with suppliers to minimize financial impact.
Common HS Codes and Duty Rates for Vietnam Products
Every product imported into the US is assigned a specific HS (Harmonized System) Code, which determines the duty rate you’ll be charged. If you’re sourcing from Vietnam, it’s critical to classify your goods correctly, because even a small misclassification could result in higher taxes, penalties, or delayed clearance.
Below are some of the most commonly exported product categories from Vietnam and their typical import tax rates when shipped to the US.
1. Textiles and Apparel
Vietnam is a global powerhouse in garment production. However, these products often carry higher duty rates due to US trade policies protecting domestic manufacturers.
- T-shirts, dresses, jackets, and sweaters often fall under HS codes like 6109, 6204, or 6110.
- Duty rates range from 16% to 32%, depending on the material (cotton, polyester, etc.), gender of clothing, and knit vs. woven.
2. Wooden Furniture
Furniture is one of Vietnam’s top export categories to the US. Many products fall under HS code 9403.
- Items like chairs, beds, cabinets, and tables are usually taxed at 0% to 10%.
- In many cases, wooden furniture enjoys very low duty rates, making Vietnam highly competitive for furniture importers.
3. Electronics and Electrical Components
If you’re sourcing LED lighting, power supplies, circuit boards, or wires from Vietnam:
- Products are often classified under codes like 8504 or 8544.
- These goods typically attract low tariffs, generally between 0% and 5%.
4. Footwear
Footwear is another major export from Vietnam, especially sports shoes and leather shoes.
- HS codes often start with 6403 or 6404.
- Importers usually pay 10% to 20% in duties, depending on materials, construction, and function.
5. Handicrafts and Bamboo Products
Vietnam’s traditional crafts, baskets, bamboo decor, woven items, are popular for eco-conscious brands and home decor retailers.
- These are often listed under codes starting with 4601 or 4602.
- The import duties tend to be modest, usually between 0% and 5%, making them attractive for bulk import.
How to Lower Import Tax from Vietnam to US
While import tax is unavoidable in most cases, there are several smart tactics businesses use to minimize what they pay. Reducing your tax burden can lead to significant savings over time, especially for large or repeat shipments.
Here’s how to optimize your import process and lower your costs:
1. Accurately Classify Your Products
The most common cause of overpayment is assigning the wrong HS Code.
- Make sure your customs broker or freight forwarder has the correct technical specs and product descriptions.
- Request your supplier include the proposed HS Code on the commercial invoice, but verify it before filing.
2. Bundle and Consolidate Shipments
Shipping more frequently in small batches can increase total fees.
- Consolidating your shipments allows you to reduce the per-shipment burden of fixed fees like the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF).
- Fewer entries also reduce the chances of customs inspections and delays.
3. Work with a Licensed US Customs Broker
Customs brokers can help you:
- Identify the most favorable classifications
- Spot incorrect documentation before customs does
- Avoid delays and unnecessary inspections
While brokers charge a fee, they often save you more than they cost by reducing errors and duties.
4. Use Correct Declared Values
Import taxes are based on the declared customs value, usually the transaction price.
- Don’t understate the value, it’s illegal and risky.
- But also don’t overstate it. Make sure your declared value reflects the actual price paid, not inflated figures that lead to higher taxes.
5. Avoid Chinese-Origin Goods Relabeled as Vietnamese
Due to high US tariffs on Chinese products, some suppliers may attempt to reroute Chinese-origin goods through Vietnam. Be cautious:
- If a product is not substantially transformed in Vietnam, it may still be classified as Chinese-origin, and subject to Section 301 tariffs.
- This can trigger customs audits, seizure, or retroactive duties.
Always verify true origin and request documentation proving manufacturing took place in Vietnam.
6. Consider Special Duty Programs or Tariff Exclusions
While Vietnam doesn’t currently benefit from a US Free Trade Agreement, some products may qualify for:
- GSP (Generalized System of Preferences), though limited, some handcrafted or eco products may be eligible.
- Tariff exclusions renewed annually for specific product categories.
Check with your broker or trade advisor to see if you qualify.
Know Your Costs, Import Smarter
Importing from Vietnam offers huge opportunities for US businesses, from competitive manufacturing costs to high-quality products across textiles, furniture, electronics, and more. But success depends on understanding the true cost of sourcing, and that starts with being clear about import tax from Vietnam to the US.
By knowing how duties are calculated, classifying your goods correctly, and working with reliable suppliers and brokers, you can avoid surprises and keep your import operations smooth and profitable.
At VALO Vietnam, we do more than connect you with top suppliers, we help you import smarter.
- Call us 24/7: +84 79 928 7929
- Email: alo@valovietnam.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is there always an import tax when buying from Vietnam?
Yes, most products imported from Vietnam into the US are subject to customs duties and fees. The exact amount depends on the product type, HS Code, and declared value.
- Are Vietnamese products affected by US tariffs like Chinese goods?
In general, Vietnam is not affected by Section 301 tariffs that apply to Chinese products. However, if a product was originally made in China and only minimally processed in Vietnam, it may still be treated as Chinese-origin.
- Can I avoid paying import tax completely?
In most cases, no, unless the goods qualify for an exemption under a special program (e.g. GSP). However, there are ways to reduce your total duties, such as choosing low-duty items, consolidating shipments, or properly classifying your goods.
- Who handles the import tax payment, the buyer or supplier?
The importer of record (usually the US buyer) is responsible for paying import tax, not the Vietnamese supplier. If you’re using a freight forwarder or customs broker, they will help you calculate and pay these fees on your behalf.
- Can VALO help me with customs and shipping?
VALO does not directly manage logistics or customs clearance, but we connect you with experienced freight forwarders, customs brokers, and verified suppliers in Vietnam who can support every step of your sourcing process.