US Tariffs on Vietnamese Imports 2026 — Rates, Trade Trends & What Importers Need to Know

Vietnam has surged to become the third-largest source of US imports, behind only China and Mexico. The country has been the biggest beneficiary of the China+1 supply chain strategy, attracting massive foreign investment as companies seek to reduce their dependence on Chinese manufacturing. But Vietnam's growing trade surplus with the US has also drawn scrutiny, and the tariff landscape for Vietnamese imports has become increasingly complex.

This guide covers the current duty rates on Vietnamese imports, the impact of the Supreme Court ruling, anti-dumping duties, the China+1 trend, and what importers need to watch in 2026.

Current Tariff Rates on Vietnamese Imports

The United States does not have a free trade agreement with Vietnam. Vietnamese goods enter the US under MFN (most-favored-nation) rates -- the standard tariff rates applied to all World Trade Organization members. These rates vary widely by product category.

What Changed After the Supreme Court Ruling

Vietnam was one of the hardest-hit countries under the IEEPA "reciprocal" tariff regime. The administration had imposed a 46% tariff on Vietnamese imports, arguing that Vietnam's trade practices warranted one of the highest country-specific rates. For context, Vietnam's bilateral trade surplus with the US reached approximately $123 billion in 2025.

The Supreme Court's February 2026 ruling struck down the 46% rate along with all other IEEPA tariffs. The replacement Section 122 surcharge of up to 15% is a dramatic reduction, cutting the additional tariff burden on Vietnamese goods by roughly two-thirds.

Importers who paid the 46% IEEPA rate are entitled to refunds on the portion exceeding what they would have owed under pre-IEEPA rates. This represents a substantial refund opportunity for businesses with significant Vietnam sourcing.

Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties

Several Vietnamese product categories are subject to anti-dumping duty (ADD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders. These are separate from the tariffs discussed above and are imposed when the Department of Commerce determines that goods are being sold below fair market value or are benefiting from unfair government subsidies.

Seafood: Shrimp and Fish

Vietnam is a major seafood exporter to the US, but both shrimp and pangasius (basa) fish face longstanding anti-dumping duties. Shrimp duties are reviewed annually, and rates can fluctuate significantly between review periods. For the most current rates, check with your customs broker or the Department of Commerce's enforcement website. Browse Chapter 3 (seafood) for specific HTS codes.

The China+1 Supply Chain Shift

Vietnam has been the primary beneficiary of the China+1 strategy -- the practice of diversifying manufacturing out of China to reduce tariff exposure and supply chain risk. US imports from Vietnam have grown approximately 300% since 2018, when the original Section 301 tariffs on China were first imposed.

Key sectors driving the shift to Vietnam:

Electronics Assembly

Vietnam is now a major hub for electronics assembly, with Samsung, Apple suppliers, Intel, and dozens of other tech companies operating there. Samsung alone produces roughly half of its global smartphone output in Vietnam. Electronics components often enter duty-free or at very low MFN rates (0-5%), making the Section 122 surcharge the primary tariff concern.

Textiles and Footwear

Vietnam is the second-largest apparel and footwear exporter to the US after China. Major brands like Nike, Adidas, and H&M source heavily from Vietnamese factories. However, textile MFN rates are among the highest in the US tariff schedule (often 10-32%), and the Section 122 surcharge pushes total rates to 25-47% for many apparel categories.

Furniture

Vietnamese furniture exports to the US have boomed, particularly wood furniture that previously came from China. MFN rates on most furniture are low (0-5%), making Vietnam a cost-effective source. However, anti-dumping investigations have targeted certain wood products where Chinese wood is transshipped through Vietnam.

Seafood

Despite anti-dumping duties, Vietnam remains a top seafood supplier to the US. Shrimp and pangasius are the biggest categories. Importers must navigate both the ADD rates and the Section 122 surcharge. Some importers have shifted to other sources like Ecuador and India for shrimp to avoid the Vietnamese ADD rates.

Trade Deficit Concerns and Potential Risks

Vietnam's rapidly growing trade surplus with the US -- approximately $123 billion in 2025, up from $40 billion in 2018 -- has attracted significant attention from US trade officials. Several risks are emerging:

• Currency manipulation monitoring: The US Treasury has repeatedly placed Vietnam on its currency manipulation monitoring list, citing concerns about dong depreciation and foreign exchange interventions
• New Section 301 investigations: The USTR could launch a Section 301 investigation into Vietnamese trade practices, which could result in Vietnam-specific tariffs similar to those on China
• Anti-circumvention enforcement: CBP is increasingly targeting goods that are merely transshipped through Vietnam with minimal processing to avoid Chinese tariffs
• Country-of-origin verification: Expect more audits and verification requests from CBP on Vietnamese imports, particularly in categories where China was previously the dominant supplier

What Importers Should Do Now

1. Verify country of origin. Ensure your Vietnamese suppliers are performing genuine manufacturing, not just relabeling or minimally processing Chinese goods. Document the manufacturing process thoroughly.
2. Check for AD/CVD exposure. Before sourcing a new product from Vietnam, check whether it is subject to anti-dumping or countervailing duty orders. The financial impact can be enormous.
3. File IEEPA refund claims. If you paid the 46% IEEPA tariff on Vietnamese imports, file refund claims with CBP for the difference between what you paid and the current MFN + Section 122 rate.
4. Diversify within Southeast Asia. Do not put all your non-China eggs in the Vietnam basket. Consider spreading sourcing across Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and India to reduce concentration risk.
5. Monitor trade negotiations. The US and Vietnam have been discussing a potential bilateral trade agreement. Any agreement could significantly change the tariff landscape, potentially for the better.
6. Plan for the Section 122 expiration. The 15% surcharge has a 150-day limit. Model your costs both with and without it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tariff rate do Vietnamese imports face in 2026?

Vietnamese imports face MFN (most-favored-nation) duty rates that vary by product (typically 0-20%), plus the Section 122 surcharge of up to 15%. The US has no free trade agreement with Vietnam, so there are no preferential rates. Some products also face anti-dumping or countervailing duties. The IEEPA tariffs of 46% were struck down in February 2026.

Is Vietnam a good alternative to China for sourcing?

Vietnam is the most popular China+1 alternative and offers significantly lower tariff rates than China for most products (no Section 301 tariffs apply). However, Vietnam faces its own challenges: anti-dumping orders on several products, growing trade deficit scrutiny from the US, anti-circumvention investigations on products using Chinese components, and infrastructure limitations. It works best for textiles, footwear, electronics assembly, and furniture.

What anti-dumping duties apply to Vietnamese products?

Vietnam faces anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on several product categories including certain frozen fish fillets (pangasius/basa), frozen warmwater shrimp, solar cells and modules (anti-circumvention), steel products (wire rod, cold-rolled steel), and certain rubber products. Rates vary widely by product and exporter, from single digits to over 100%.

What happened to the 46% IEEPA tariff on Vietnam?

The 46% reciprocal tariff on Vietnamese imports was imposed under IEEPA authority in 2025 and was struck down by the Supreme Court in February 2026. It has been replaced by the Section 122 surcharge of up to 15%. Importers who paid the 46% IEEPA rate are entitled to refunds on the difference.

Are solar panels from Vietnam subject to anti-circumvention tariffs?

Yes. The US Department of Commerce has found that solar cells and modules assembled in Vietnam using Chinese components are circumventing the anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on Chinese solar products. Duties of 50-250% can apply depending on the specific exporter and level of Chinese content. A temporary exemption that had been in place expired in June 2024.

Related Country Guides

• China Import Tariffs Guide 2026 -- The primary source Vietnam is replacing
• Mexico Import Tariffs Guide 2026 -- Nearshoring alternative with USMCA
• India Import Tariffs Guide 2026 -- Another emerging China+1 destination
• Canada Import Tariffs Guide 2026 -- USMCA partner with duty-free benefits