China vs Vietnam: Import Tariff Comparison 2026
China faces Section 301 tariffs of up to 25%, plus the forced-labor Section 301 duty at the 12.5% tier that backfilled Section 122 after it lapsed on July 24, 2026, making Vietnam a compelling sourcing alternative for consumer electronics and related product categories. The total effective tariff rate on imports from China reaches 39%, combining the MFN base rate with China-specific Section 301 duties and the forced-labor Section 301 duty — Section 122 itself lapsed to 0% and no longer contributes to the total. By contrast, Vietnam faces a total effective rate of 14%, avoiding the Section 301 penalty entirely. This tariff differential has accelerated supply chain diversification away from China in 2026, with Vietnam emerging as one of the primary beneficiaries. For importers weighing both origins, the rate spread of 25% is a significant landed cost factor that directly affects margins and pricing decisions.
Tariff Rate Comparison
Consumer Electronics| Rate Type | China | VietnamSave 25.0pp vs highestbilateral |
|---|---|---|
| MFN Base RateMost Favored Nation tariff | 1.50% | 1.50% |
| Section 232Steel & aluminum tariff | N/A | N/A |
| Section 301Unfair-trade action under 19 U.S.C. 2411 | 25.00% | N/A |
| Section 301 (forced labor)Forced-labor duty applied to covered economies | 12.50% | 12.50% |
| Bilateral DealNegotiated country rate, compared against the other special layers | N/A | N/A |
| Total Effective Rate | 39.00% | 14.00% |
Rate Comparison by Product Category
| Product | China | Vietnam | Savings ($10K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| consumer electronics | 39.0% | 14.0% | $2,650 |
| clothing garments | 49.5% | 24.5% | $2,650 |
| furniture | 42.5% | 17.5% | $2,650 |
| footwear | 47.5% | 22.5% | $2,650 |
| industrial machinery | 39.5% | 14.5% | $2,650 |
Trade Agreement Status
China has no negotiated bilateral rate charged on its goods — any country-specific reciprocal rate it once carried was terminated on February 20, 2026 — and Section 122 lapsed to 0% on July 24, 2026, but China is on the forced-labor Section 301 covered list at the 12.5% tier, with Section 232 goods carved out and the charge on any given product depending on its MFN rate. Vietnam has no negotiated bilateral rate charged on its goods — any country-specific reciprocal rate it once carried was terminated on February 20, 2026 — and Section 122 lapsed to 0% on July 24, 2026, but Vietnam is on the forced-labor Section 301 covered list at the 12.5% tier, with Section 232 goods carved out and the charge on any given product depending on its MFN rate. For products under Section 232 national security tariffs, S232 rates govern: a bilateral deal rate does not displace them, and Section 122 never applied to S232-covered goods while it was in force, before it lapsed to zero on July 24, 2026. China-origin goods additionally face Section 301 tariffs that stack on top of all other duties, making trade agreement status a defining factor in the total tariff burden.
When to Source from Each Country
Vietnam offers lower tariff rates across all focus product categories in this comparison, making it the more cost-effective sourcing origin from a tariff perspective. Source from China when its supplier ecosystem, lead times, quality standards, or logistics infrastructure outweigh the tariff cost difference. Always model total landed cost — freight, insurance, MPF, and HMF — not just tariff rates, before making final sourcing decisions.
Full Landed Cost — $10,000 Shipment
Consumer ElectronicsChinaFull Landed Cost Breakdown
Based on a $10,000 ocean shipment (FOB value)
VietnamFull Landed Cost Breakdown
Based on a $10,000 ocean shipment (FOB value)
Savings Analysis
On a $10,000 shipment of consumer electronics, importing from Vietnam saves $2,650 in duties compared to China — a 64.1% reduction in total import costs. Vietnam incurs $1,484 in duties on the $10,000 shipment, while China incurs $4,134. This difference compounds across larger order volumes and is a key factor in supplier selection decisions for importers sourcing consumer electronics.
Frequently Asked Questions
The total effective tariff rate on consumer electronics is 39% from China and 14% from Vietnam under current 2026 tariff policy. These rates include the MFN base rate, any persisting bilateral deal rate, Section 232 duties for covered products, Section 301 tariffs for Chinese goods, and the forced-labor Section 301 duty that backfills the lapsed Section 122 surcharge for roughly 60 covered economies (Section 122 itself lapsed to 0% on July 24, 2026 and no longer applies). Use the CalcMyTariff.com calculator above to enter your specific invoice value and shipping details for a precise landed cost breakdown.
China does not have a formal trade agreement with the United States. Section 122 lapsed to 0% on July 24, 2026, so imports from China now face either a forced-labor Section 301 duty (if China is on the roughly 60-economy covered list) or the base MFN rate alone with no special-tariff layer.
Vietnam does not have a bilateral trade agreement with the US. Section 122 lapsed to 0% on July 24, 2026, so imports from Vietnam now face either a forced-labor Section 301 duty (if Vietnam is on the roughly 60-economy covered list) or the base MFN rate alone with no special-tariff layer.
Vietnam is cheaper for clothing garments with a 24.5% total tariff rate, compared to 49.5% from China. On a $10,000 shipment, this 25% rate difference saves $2,500 in duties when sourcing from Vietnam.
Section 122, enacted in February 2026 for up to 150 days, imposed a global surcharge on most US imports until it lapsed on July 24, 2026. Section 122 no longer applies to China — it lapsed on July 24, 2026 — but China is on the forced-labor Section 301 covered list at the 12.5% tier, which backfilled the lapsed surcharge. Section 122 no longer applies to Vietnam — it lapsed on July 24, 2026 — but Vietnam is on the forced-labor Section 301 covered list at the 12.5% tier, which backfilled the lapsed surcharge. Since the lapse, a forced-labor Section 301 duty (10%/12.5% on ~60 economies) has backfilled the surcharge for most importers — model the realized post-July-24 structure, forced-labor duty included, when planning shipments.
Tariff rates from Tax Foundation, USITC, and Penn Wharton Budget Model; retaliatory and industry data from the ITA Foreign Retaliations Database and U.S. Census Bureau (NAICS). Last verified .