News

The U.S. import market is entering a phase of tightened customs and tariff control, with significant impacts on textiles, steel-aluminum, and furniture sectors.

Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of customs value (min $32.71 – max $634.62 for FY2025)

Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% of ocean import value

Reciprocal Tariff: 20% for Vietnam-origin goods and 40% for transshipment cargo, pending detailed guidance from CBP.

For Vietnam’s textile exports, duty rates vary by HS Code and material composition:

• Cotton knit shirt: 19.7%

• Polyester knit/pullover: 32%

• Cotton pullover: 16.5%

• Dress (poly/spandex): 16%

Synthetic fibers such as polyester and spandex remain subject to higher duty compared to natural cotton. Accurate HS classification and fiber declaration are crucial to avoid penalties.

Upcoming policy changes include:

• 50% tariff on steel and aluminum effective August 18, 2025

• 10-25% on wood and furniture from October 14, 2025, rising to 50% for non-FTA countries in 2026

• Removal of the De Minimis exemption (under $800) from August 29, 2025

These measures mark a new phase of U.S. import regulation, as trade policy increasingly serves as a lever to balance commerce and realign global supply chains.

The U.S. remains a high-value but highly regulated market — where preparedness, compliance, and precision define competitiveness.