The first time I asked a Vietnamese supplier to hold a quote for 90 days, I got a polite refusal—they said aluminum prices had already changed twice that month 1.
Typically, custom part prices from Vietnam can be fixed for 30 to 90 days, but longer locks require contract clauses, material buffers, or index-based adjustment terms.
Understanding how price validity works—and how to negotiate around raw material volatility—can save you margin and prevent surprise revisions mid-order.
What is a typical price validity period?
Most Vietnamese suppliers issue quotes with a price validity period of 14 to 30 days, sometimes stretching to 60 or 90 days for stable materials 2.
The exact period depends on the material type, order volume, currency fluctuation, and supplier policy.
Typical Price-Fix Durations by Context
| Order Type | Typical Validity Period |
|---|---|
| Prototype/small batch, volatile material | 7–14 days |
| Standard custom part, stable alloy | 30–60 days |
| Long-run part, tooling involved | 60–90 days |
| Contracted supply agreement | 90–180 days (with review) |
If a supplier gives you a short window (e.g., “valid for 10 days”), it often reflects:
- Volatile materials like copper, nickel, or stainless
- FX fluctuations between USD and VND
- Uncertainty in their own sub-supplier prices 3
Always confirm the validity deadline and place your PO before it expires, or request a reconfirmation if delayed.
Can price locks be extended in contract?
Yes, absolutely—but not for free.
You can negotiate longer price locks (e.g., 3–6 months) through supply contracts, often with conditions like volume commitments, escalation formulas, or buffer pricing.
Here’s what typically works:
Common Methods to Extend Price Lock Periods
-
Volume Commitment
- Offer larger batch quantities or rolling monthly orders
- Helps suppliers hedge material purchase in advance
-
Escalation Clause with Cap
- Define a clause like:
“Base price fixed for 90 days. Afterward, adjusted monthly based on LME aluminum index ±5% band.” 4
- Define a clause like:
-
Material Price Buffer
- Allow supplier to build 3–5% margin buffer into quote
- They hold the price longer, knowing they’re covered
-
Forward Currency Contract
- Lock FX rate through your bank or include FX clause in contract 5
-
Staged Delivery Orders
- Divide 6-month need into 3 lots, each pre-negotiated but released sequentially
Strategies to Negotiate Longer Price Validity
| Method | Typical Extension | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume commitment | +30 to +90 days | More stable pricing if bulk material is pre-bought |
| Escalation clause | 3–12 months | Allows indexed price movement tied to market |
| Margin buffer in quote | Up to 90 days | Raises price slightly to absorb market movement |
| Contractual pricing tiers | 6–12 months | Agree on stepped price bands by time or quantity |
You need to define these terms clearly in the purchase agreement and include sample adjustment formulas. Don’t rely on verbal assurances 6.
How do raw material fluctuations affect price lock?
Material cost is the #1 reason Vietnamese factories shorten quote validity.
When metal prices fluctuate quickly—like aluminum, copper, or stainless—suppliers limit their exposure by issuing short-duration price locks.
For example:
- Nickel (used in stainless steel) can swing 10% in a month
- Aluminum prices have jumped 15% in a single quarter in past years
- Copper is extremely volatile and closely watched (LME copper trends) 7
If your part relies heavily on one of these materials, expect:
- Shorter validity (e.g., 14–21 days)
- Cost-plus pricing based on current LME rates
- Material surcharge clauses in long-term contracts 8
Metal Volatility vs. Quote Validity
| Material | Price Volatility (2024–2025) | Recommended Validity Period |
|---|---|---|
| Mild Steel | Low | 30–60 days |
| Aluminum | Medium–High | 14–30 days |
| Stainless (Nickel) | High | 7–21 days |
| Brass / Copper | Very High | 7–14 days or indexed pricing |
To control this, some importers pre-agree to material surcharges or cost adjustments, triggered only when raw price shifts beyond a threshold (e.g., ±5%) 9.
What mechanisms to adjust price mid-contract?
When price cannot remain fixed for the entire duration, suppliers often ask for adjustment terms.
These are called “price escalation clauses” and are common in long-term tooling-based or repeat orders.
Here are mechanisms you can use:
Common Adjustment Mechanisms
-
Index-based adjustment
- Tie to LME price of base metal (e.g., aluminum, nickel, copper)
- Example: “New price = Base Price × (Current Index ÷ Reference Index)”
-
Currency adjustment clause
- FX swings >2% from baseline trigger re-negotiation
-
Tiered pricing by time or quantity
- First 1000 pcs: $X
- Next 1000 pcs (after 3 months): $X + 3%
-
Quarterly review
- Prices remain fixed for 3 months; reviewed each quarter
-
Surcharge pass-through
- Supplier provides raw material invoices; buyer pays difference if input price rises (example from U.S. steel contracts) 10
This helps balance risk for both buyer and supplier. You get predictability, and they’re protected from market shocks.
Conclusion
In most cases, custom part pricing from Vietnam is fixed for 30 to 90 days. You can extend that through contract clauses, cost buffers, or escalation mechanisms—but you must define these in writing, especially when sourcing volatile alloys like copper or stainless.
Footnotes
1. Example of aluminum price volatility in early 2025. ↩︎
2. Common quote validity periods observed in Vietnam metal sourcing. ↩︎
3. Influence of FX and sub-supplier pricing on quotation terms. ↩︎
4. London Metal Exchange (LME) index used for escalation clause reference. ↩︎
5. IMF guide on currency hedging and FX clause formulation. ↩︎
6. Importance of written pricing terms in supplier contracts. ↩︎
7. Copper market volatility tracked via Trading Economics data. ↩︎
8. Example of cost-plus and material surcharge mechanisms in supply contracts. ↩︎ 9. Explanation of buffer pricing and ±5% adjustment thresholds. ↩︎
10. Federal Register guidance on steel and raw material surcharges. ↩︎
