The panel discussion is organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre on June 18. Photo by Nhandan.
These insights were shared at a panel discussion on June 18 organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC). The event focused on logistics solutions for import-export enterprises facing tariff challenges in the US, and provided updates on regulatory changes, tax and customs compliance, and strategies to improve export performance in shifting global trade conditions.
According to ITPC Deputy Director Ho Thi Quyen, Vietnam’s economy is showing signs of recovery, with exports posting strong growth. Data from the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance shows that total export value in the first five months of 2025 reached USD 180.23 billion, up 14 per cent year-on-year. The US remained Vietnam’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at USD 57.2 billion. Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of USD 49.9 billion with the US, an increase of 28.5 per cent compared to the same period last year.
ITPC Deputy Director Ho Thi Quyen speaks at the event. Photo by Nhandan
Logistics remains a key growth driver for the Vietnamese economy. As the sector faces both opportunities and mounting tariff risks, 2025 is expected to be a critical year for restructuring supply chains and enhancing cost control measures.
Nunzio De Filippis, CEO of Cargotrans USA, noted that the US is undergoing a major shift in trade policy, encouraging importers to diversify sourcing and reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers. He emphasised the rising role of bonded warehouses and Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in helping mitigate tariff exposure for exporters.
“This shift in US trade strategy opens significant opportunities for countries like Vietnam,” he said, adding that Vietnamese firms are increasingly seen as stable partners in Southeast Asia.
Nguyen Tran Khanh Hoang, CEO of Super Cargo Service Group, pointed to three key challenges Vietnamese exporters must address to capture these opportunities: high logistics costs, compliance risks in documentation, and vulnerability to trade fraud investigations. He also noted the pressure to meet stringent US logistics and regulatory standards.
To improve cost-efficiency, experts recommended adopting the “First Sale for Export” (FSFE) programme. Under this model, US importers can legally declare customs value based on the first sale price (from manufacturer to intermediary), rather than the second sale (intermediary to importer).
One case study showed that for a Vietnamese apparel shipment, applying FSFE could reduce the declared customs value from USD 100,000 to USD 85,000. This lowered tariff payments from USD 26,500 to USD 22,525, saving nearly USD 4,000 per shipment. For exporters shipping 100 containers per year, this could generate up to USD 400,000 in annual savings.
Additional cost-saving solutions include Incoterm auditing, which helps exclude domestic expenses from the dutiable value, and duty drawback schemes that allow for tax refunds on re-exported goods. These tools are seen as essential to boosting the competitiveness and resilience of Vietnamese exporters in the evolving global trade landscape.
