United States Imposes Tariffs on Vietnamese Wooden Cabinets with Components Manufactured in China

According to updated information from the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam, Ministry of Industry and Trade, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has just issued a final determination on the scope inquiry and anti-circumvention investigation regarding wooden cabinets imported from Vietnam. This decision will significantly impact export services related to this product.

Regarding the scope inquiry, DOC maintains its preliminary conclusion, identifying 3 cases where wooden cabinets imported from Vietnam with components manufactured in China fall within the scope of current tariffs on China. This poses a major challenge for logistics companies in managing the origin of goods.

U.S. Imposes Tariffs on Vietnamese Wooden Cabinets with Components Manufactured in China

Exporting companies should note the following three cases: Products with doors, drawer faces, and wooden frames manufactured in China, then assembled in Vietnam; Products with semi-finished doors, drawer faces, and wooden frames manufactured in China, then further processed in Vietnam; Products with semi-finished parts of doors, drawer faces, and wooden frames manufactured in China, then further processed in Vietnam.

DOC will notify U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) about applying the Self-Certification Mechanism for wooden cabinets imported from Vietnam. International shipping services need to pay attention to this new regulation to ensure compliance with the correct procedures.

Vietnamese exporters need to complete the self-certification declaration form and provide supporting documents to U.S. importers. Forwarding companies can assist businesses in preparing and storing necessary records and documents for 5 years.

Regarding the anti-circumvention investigation, DOC has terminated the entire anti-circumvention investigation on wooden cabinets imported from Vietnam. This is good news for shipping services related to this product.

The Trade Remedies Authority recommends that exporting businesses understand and fully comply with U.S. regulations on the Self-Certification Mechanism. Container shipping and sea freight need to be carried out carefully, ensuring compliance with new regulations.

This case began in May and June 2022, after the U.S. imposed anti-dumping and countervailing duties on wooden cabinets originating from China in April 2020. Import-export services need to update this information to support customers most effectively in the coming time.

With close cooperation between exporting businesses and freight service providers, Vietnam’s wood industry has a solid foundation to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and continue sustainable development in the U.S. market in the coming time.