What you'll actually pay to import from Vietnam
US tariffs on China and Vietnam have changed many times since 2018, sometimes with only days of notice. Anyone promising a fixed number is guessing. Here's how the duties stack up, where to check them, and what we will and won't do.
Last reviewed: October 31, 2026. Check rates against the official sources below before you make a decision.
The layers of US duty
Your total duty is the sum of every layer that applies to your HTS code and country of origin.
| Layer | Made in China | Made in Vietnam | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base (MFN) duty Normal tariff schedule rate | Applies | Applies (same rate) | USITC HTS search |
| Section 301 China-specific trade duties since 2018 | Applies to most goods, commonly 7.5% to 25% and higher for some lines | Does not apply | USTR Section 301 |
| Country-specific emergency or reciprocal tariffs Set by executive action and changed often | Has applied at various rates | Has applied at various rates | CBP trade remedies · Federal Register |
| Section 232 Product-based duties, e.g. steel, aluminum, certain wood products and furniture | Applies if your product is covered | Applies if your product is covered | CBP Section 232 |
| Anti-dumping / countervailing Product- and sometimes company-specific | Possible | Possible | ITA AD/CVD |
What this means for ceramics
For most ceramics and planters, the big difference is the China-only Section 301 layer, which Vietnamese goods don't pay. Both countries pay the same base rate, and both currently face other add-on duties. Look up your exact HTS code, because planters, tableware and decorative ceramics are classified differently.
What we do during your assessment
We look up the current layers for your likely HTS codes from the sources above and show the dates we checked. We'll also tell you when to confirm with a licensed customs broker. We're not one.
No transshipment. No exceptions.
Transshipment means routing Chinese-made goods through Vietnam, or doing minor finishing there, and declaring them as Vietnamese to avoid China tariffs. It's customs fraud. US Customs actively investigates it, and the penalties fall on the US importer.
- ✓We only shortlist factories that actually make your product in Vietnam, and we verify it in person.
- ✓We flag products where key components come from China, and explain how that affects country of origin.
- ✓We'll walk away from any factory that offers relabeling or a “Vietnam origin” certificate it can't back up.
- ✓We'll walk away from any client who asks for it, too.
Country of origin depends on where a product is “substantially transformed.” See CBP rulings and talk to a customs broker if your product uses imported components.
See if Vietnam makes sense for your product
A free 30-minute assessment. We'll look at your product, current costs and volumes, and tell you honestly whether moving is worth it.
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