Are there any U.S. trade restrictions on companies that import custom metal parts from Vietnam?

I used to think that importing custom metal parts from Vietnam was a smart way to avoid China tariffs—until I saw the actual U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule ¹.

Yes, there are significant U.S. trade restrictions. Vietnamese metal parts that contain steel or aluminum are subject to a 25% national-security tariff under Section 232 ². Some products face anti-dumping duties ³ up to 88%, and transshipment penalties ⁴ apply for misdeclared origins.

If you're sourcing from Vietnam to avoid China tariffs, you’re not alone—but you could still face harsh duties if you’re not careful. Let’s break this down.

What tariffs apply to custom metal parts from Vietnam?

I remember opening an invoice one day and finding an unexpected 25% added—turns out, that was a Section 232 tariff. It hit harder than I expected.

Most custom metal parts made in Vietnam that include steel or aluminum are now subject to a 25% Section 232 tariff. Other goods may face a 10–20% reciprocal tariff.

Tariff policies for Vietnamese exports have tightened significantly since March 2025 trade updates ⁵. Here's a quick overview of how it works:

U.S. Tariff Structure for Vietnamese Metal Parts

The Section 232 measure applies uniformly regardless of origin documentation. It doesn’t matter if your supplier is fully compliant; if the metal part has qualifying steel/aluminum content, the tariff hits. The 10% reciprocal tariff doesn’t reduce it either, because Section 232-covered goods are specifically excluded from that rule.

Also, since 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection ⁶ no longer recognizes prior product exclusions or quotas under Section 232. This means any Vietnamese part containing steel or aluminum must be priced with that 25% added in, unless it's outside the defined HTSUS subheadings ⁷.

How can I avoid U.S. tariffs on Vietnamese metal parts?

When I realized my landed cost shot up by nearly a third, I knew I needed to get creative—fast.

You can reduce tariff impact by selecting alternative materials, verifying HTS codes, documenting country-of-origin properly, and confirming that parts are not made from anti-dumping-affected substrates.

There’s no magic bullet to eliminate U.S. tariffs, but here are smart ways to minimize exposure:

Strategies to Minimize Tariff Costs

Also, watch for HTS subheadings that have been added to the expanded 232 list. Even parts that aren't obviously structural steel—like brackets, bushings, or housings—may fall under these new rules due to metal content.

If your product isn’t covered by any Section 232 category, you may still face the 10% or 20% reciprocal tariff—but that’s far better than a 25%+88% stack.

Are there anti-dumping duties on Vietnam-made components?

I had a shipment of galvanized brackets priced perfectly—until I discovered they fell under a coated steel category with anti-dumping duty rates as high as 88%.

Yes, the U.S. imposes anti-dumping duties of up to 88% on Vietnamese steel products, especially coated or corrosion-resistant steel. These apply to parts containing those materials.

These anti-dumping tariffs come from a U.S. Department of Commerce investigation ⁹ following a 2024 ruling. Here’s what’s affected:

Vietnamese Companies Under Anti-Dumping Review (2025)

If your part includes galvanized steel from any of the companies above—or similar materials—it could fall under the anti-dumping order.

To stay clear:

• Avoid coated steel substrates from known dumping categories.
• Ask your supplier for mill test reports and origin documentation for substrates.
• Consider non-coated steel or anodized aluminum if application allows.

It's not just about the final shape—anti-dumping duties apply based on the substrate origin and material even if the part was significantly processed in Vietnam.

How does transshipment affect Vietnam-origin imports?

One supplier once told me, “Don’t worry, we just repacked the Chinese parts in Vietnam”—that almost cost me a customs audit.

If a product isn’t substantially transformed in Vietnam, it may be classified by U.S. Customs as Chinese origin, resulting in up to 40% tariffs and penalties.

Transshipment is a hot-button issue. Here’s how the U.S. enforces it:

• Goods routed through Vietnam but made in China may be reclassified as Chinese origin.
• If discovered, you’ll face a 40% tariff instead of the standard rate.
• Violations may trigger civil penalties under 19 U.S.C. § 1592 ¹⁰, plus full back-duty liabilities.

The rule of thumb is this: if a part isn’t substantially transformed—meaning value-added steps like machining, molding, or coating done in Vietnam—it won’t qualify as Vietnamese origin.

Vietnam’s own origin certification rules require that 30%+ of the value must be created in-country. The U.S. uses similar logic when auditing imports.

What qualifies as “substantial transformation”?

Bottom line: If your supplier is just relabeling or assembling Chinese inputs in Vietnam, you're taking on huge risk—even if it seems cheaper upfront.

Conclusion

Yes, the U.S. imposes strict tariffs and duties on custom metal parts from Vietnam—so importers must plan with precision.

Footnotes

1. Official U.S. tariff classification system. ↩︎
2. Commerce Department’s Section 232 tariff explanation. ↩︎
3. U.S. trade.gov guide on anti-dumping duties. ↩︎
4. CBP rules on transshipment violations. ↩︎
5. Federal Register trade policy updates. ↩︎
6. U.S. Customs and Border Protection information. ↩︎
7. Current HTSUS tariff subheadings list. ↩︎
8. National Customs Brokers association resource. ↩︎
9. DOC enforcement on anti-dumping rulings. ↩︎
10. U.S. Code penalties for customs violations. ↩︎