Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters HS6110 Export Data 2025 May Overview

Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters (HS 6110) 2025 May Export: Key Takeaways

Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters (HS Code 6110) Export 2025 May reveals heavy reliance on the U.S., which accounts for 59.24% of export value, signaling high geographic concentration risk. The U.S. market’s large, high-value orders contrast with smaller buyers like Japan and the Netherlands, which focus on mid-tier goods, while Vietnam and Russia serve as lower-cost transshipment points. This analysis, covering 2025 May, is based on processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters (HS 6110) 2025 May Export Background

Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters (HS Code 6110), covering pullovers, cardigans, and similar knitted garments, are staples in global fashion retail, with steady demand from brands prioritizing versatile, seasonless apparel. The U.S. imposed a 20% tariff on Vietnam’s direct exports starting July 2025 [VIZION], sparking a May 2025 export surge as manufacturers raced to beat the hike. Vietnam remains a key supplier, leveraging its cost-efficient knitwear production to meet U.S. and EU market needs despite rising trade barriers.

Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters (HS 6110) 2025 May Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters HS Code 6110 Export 2025 May surged to $381.05 million, marking a 28.8% month-over-month increase from April and establishing the highest monthly value recorded in 2025.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The sharp May spike reflects accelerated shipment activity ahead of new U.S. trade barriers, breaking from typical seasonal apparel export patterns. First-quarter figures showed moderate growth, but May’s leap demonstrates how policy deadlines can override ordinary demand cycles. Exporters clearly prioritized moving goods before costly changes took effect, driving exceptional monthly performance.

External Context and Outlook

This volatility directly corresponds to the new U.S.-Vietnam trade framework imposing a 20% tariff on direct Vietnamese exports like knitwear starting July 2025 [VIZION]. The surge represents a classic "rush before the tariff" effect, with exporters accelerating shipments to avoid higher costs. While this provided a short-term boost, the new duty structure may pressure future Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters HS Code 6110 Export 2025 May volumes once the pre-deadline inventory surge subsides.

Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters (HS 6110) 2025 May Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In May 2025, Vietnam's export of knitwear sweaters under HS Code 6110 was heavily concentrated in cotton-based products, specifically sub-code 61102000 for jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, and similar articles of cotton. This sub-code accounted for nearly half of the export value and over half of the quantity, indicating high volume but lower unit prices, as the value share of 49.55% is less than the quantity share of 57.11%. Extreme high-value anomalies are present in cashmere and other fine animal hair products (sub-codes 61101200 and 61101900), which are isolated due to their minimal volumes and significantly higher implied unit values.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes can be grouped into three categories based on material: cotton (61102000), man-made fibres (61103000), and wool or other materials (61101100 and 61109000). Cotton and man-made fibres dominate with high volume and moderate value, while wool-based products have higher unit values. This structure reflects a trade in differentiated manufactured goods, not bulk commodities, as variations in material and implied pricing suggest product differentiation rather than uniform commodity trading.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For Vietnam knitwear sweaters HS Code 6110 export in 2025 May, the concentration in lower-value cotton products limits pricing power for mass-market items, while niche materials like wool offer better margins. The impending U.S. tariff increase to 20% in July 2025, as reported by (VIZION), likely drove accelerated exports in May to avoid higher costs, emphasizing the need for diversification into higher-value segments to mitigate tariff impacts and enhance competitiveness.

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Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters (HS 6110) 2025 May Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

The United States is the dominant buyer of Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters HS Code 6110 Export 2025 May, taking 59.24% of the total export value. The significant gap between its value share (59.24%) and its order frequency share (47.00%) points to a pattern of large, high-value orders, confirming the US as the primary market for premium, bulk shipments.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The importers form three clear groups. The first is the US, standing alone as the bulk buyer. The second cluster includes Japan, Netherlands, and Canada; these countries have moderate order values but higher value-per-shipment ratios, suggesting a focus on consistent, mid-tier quality goods. The third group contains Vietnam itself and Russia, which show higher quantity shares relative to their value, indicating these are likely lower-cost sourcing or transshipment points for basic products.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Vietnamese exporters, the heavy reliance on the US market is a key risk. The new 20% U.S. tariff on direct exports from Vietnam, which led to a surge in shipments ahead of its implementation [VIZION], demands a strategy to diversify into other developed markets like Japan and the Netherlands to spread risk. Companies must also streamline customs procedures to maintain cost competitiveness, especially with Vietnam's push for clearer export rules [Vietnam Briefing].

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Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters (HS 6110) 2025 May Export: Action Plan for Knitwear Sweaters Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters Export 2025 May under HS Code 6110 reveals a market driven by three core price factors. First, product material defines value: bulk cotton items (61102000) have low margins, while wool and specialty fibers (61101100, 61101900) command premium prices. Second, large bulk orders from dominant US buyers compress per-unit costs but increase policy risk. Third, the urgent May export surge was directly triggered by the impending 20% US tariff effective July 2025. This creates a supply chain heavily reliant on the US market (59.24% of value) and high-volume buyers (68.50% of value), making it vulnerable to policy shifts and demand concentration. Vietnam acts as an assembly hub for differentiated manufactured goods, with limited pricing power in its dominant product segment.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Knitwear Sweaters Market Execution

• Shift product mix toward wool and specialty fibers using HS Code data. This directly increases unit profitability and reduces exposure to low-margin cotton competition.
• Diversify buyers by targeting high-value, moderate-frequency importers in Japan and the EU. This builds a more stable revenue base less sensitive to single-market tariff changes.
• Accelerate customs and logistics prep for all US-bound shipments before July 2025. This avoids the 20% tariff hit and protects existing contract margins.
• Analyze transaction frequency of top buyers to anticipate reorder cycles. This allows for better production planning and reduces inventory risk post-tariff.
• Develop new buyer relationships in non-US markets using trade data on import patterns. This spreads risk and taps into demand for mid-tier consistent quality products.

Take Action Now —— Explore Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters Export 2025 May?

The surge in exports to $381.05 million (a 28.8% monthly increase) was driven by accelerated shipments ahead of a 20% U.S. tariff set for July 2025, overriding typical seasonal demand patterns.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters Export 2025 May?

The U.S. dominated with 59.24% of export value, followed by Japan, the Netherlands, and Canada, which formed a secondary cluster focused on mid-tier quality goods.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters Export 2025 May partner countries?

Price gaps stem from material differentiation: cotton-based products (e.g., sub-code 61102000) dominate volume but have lower unit values, while wool and cashmere items (e.g., 61101100) command premium pricing.

Q4. What should exporters in Vietnam focus on in the current Knitwear Sweaters export market?

Exporters must prioritize retaining high-value, high-frequency buyers (68.50% of trade value) while diversifying into non-U.S. markets like Japan to mitigate tariff risks.

Q5. What does this Vietnam Knitwear Sweaters export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

U.S. buyers benefit from bulk discounts but face future cost hikes post-tariff, while EU/Japanese buyers access steadier mid-range pricing with lower policy volatility.

Q6. How is Knitwear Sweaters typically used in this trade flow?

The products are differentiated manufactured goods, primarily cotton jerseys/pullovers for mass retail, with niche wool/cashmere items serving premium segments.