2025 Vietnam Rubber Footwear (HS 6402) Export: Surge & Shift

Key Takeaways

Rubber Footwear, classified under HS Code 6402 (Footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics), exhibited high volatility from January to October 2025.

• Market Pulse: Exports surged 19% in October to $429.5M after a six-month decline, peaking at $470M in April before a 23% drop, reflecting seasonal demand shifts and holiday-order timing.
• Structural Shift: Vietnam Rubber Footwear Export relies heavily on the U.S. (33.75% of value), with buyer concentration (85% from repeat clients) creating stability but vulnerability to single-market shocks.
• Product Logic: HS Code 6402 trade data shows a split: 80% of exports are low-margin, high-volume rubber footwear, while niche categories like ski-boots command $70+ unit prices, signaling untapped premium potential.

This overview covers the period from January to October 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Vietnam Rubber Footwear (HS Code 6402) Key Metrics Trend

Market Trend Summary

Vietnam's Rubber Footwear export trend for 2025 displayed a volatile trajectory from January to October, characterized by a strong opening quarter followed by a six-month contraction and a sharp October recovery. Exports began at $403.9M in January, peaked at $470M in April, then declined consistently through September to $360.8M—a cumulative 23% drop from the April high. The trend reversed decisively in October with a 19% monthly surge to $429.5M, indicating renewed momentum heading into the year’s final quarter.

Drivers & Industry Context

The mid-year decline aligns with typical seasonal softening in global footwear demand, while the October rebound correlates with Vietnam’s broader export acceleration to key markets like the U.S., where shipments grew 26.4% year-over-year in the first eight months of 2025 [Ice Miller]. This surge likely reflects front-loaded orders for the holiday season and manufacturers capitalizing on tariff advantages under precise HS code classification. The value derived from HS Code 6402 remains strategically significant, as evidenced by its historical contribution of over $690M to sector revenue, with 2025’s volatility underscoring the category’s sensitivity to global buying cycles and logistics optimization (Ice Miller).

Table: Vietnam Rubber Footwear Export Trend (Source: yTrade)

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Vietnam HS Code 6402 Export Breakdown

Market Composition & Top Categories

According to yTrade data, Vietnam HS Code 6402 Export from January to October 2025 is dominated by general rubber footwear not covering the ankle (HS 64029990), which holds over 80% of both export value and quantity. Sports footwear and ankle-covering variants collectively account for the remaining significant share, while minor sub-codes include specialized items like ski-boots and thong sandals. This structure highlights a market centered on high-volume, standardized products.

Value Chain & Strategic Insights

Unit prices range from under $2 for basic thong sandals to over $70 for premium ski-boots, indicating a bifurcated market where value is driven by specialization rather than pure commodity pricing. The HS Code 6402 breakdown reveals a trade structure split between mass-produced, lower-margin goods and niche, high-value segments, suggesting competitive pressure on volume lines but opportunities in differentiated products. Exporters should focus on upgrading to higher-value categories to mitigate price sensitivity.

Table: Vietnam HS Code 6402) Export Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Vietnam Rubber Footwear Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration & Market Risk

Vietnam's Rubber Footwear export destinations show extreme concentration, with the United States accounting for 33.75% of total export value from January to October 2025. This heavy reliance on a single market introduces significant volatility risk, as any economic or policy shifts in the U.S. could directly impact Vietnam's export stability. Diversification is limited, with the next largest partners like the Netherlands and China holding less than 8% value share each.

Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation

The United States, as the top trade partner for Rubber Footwear, exhibits value and quantity ratios nearly equal (33.75 vs. 33.72), indicating balanced unit pricing without premium or discount extremes. The lower frequency ratio (23.73) compared to quantity suggests consolidated, large-volume shipments typical of wholesale or distribution channels. This behavior points to a market driven by volume scale rather than margin potential, favoring efficient bulk procurement over fragmented retail demand.

Table: Vietnam Rubber Footwear (HS Code 6402) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Vietnam Rubber Footwear (HS Code 6402) Complete Destination Countries Profile

Vietnam Rubber Footwear Buyer Companies Analysis

Buyer Concentration & Market Structure

According to yTrade data, the Vietnam Rubber Footwear export market from January to October 2025 is heavily concentrated, with loyal, high-volume repeat buyers accounting for 84.83% of total value. This dominance indicates a stable, contract-based supply chain, likely driven by large retailers or manufacturers who rely on consistent, high-quantity orders. Such a structure suggests that Vietnam Rubber Footwear buyers are primarily entrenched in long-term partnerships rather than sporadic transactions.

Purchasing Behavior & Sales Strategy

The high concentration in key accounts underscores a significant risk: losing even one major buyer could severely impact revenue, emphasizing the need for diversified client outreach. Sellers should prioritize relationship management and offer value-added services like flexible logistics to retain these repeat customers, while also exploring digital channels to capture smaller, fragmented buyers. Monitoring HS Code 6402 buyer trends will help adapt to any shifts in purchasing patterns, ensuring sustained growth despite market reliance on a few large players.

Table: Vietnam Rubber Footwear (HS Code 6402) Top Buyers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Rubber Footwear Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify buyers: Target fragmented buyers via digital channels to reduce reliance on the 85% repeat-client base, mitigating revenue risk from losing key accounts.
• Shift geographic focus: Expand exports to secondary markets like the Netherlands and China (each <8% share) to offset U.S. dependency and tariff volatility.
• Upgrade product mix: Allocate resources to high-value HS Code 6402 subcategories (e.g., ski-boots) where unit prices exceed $70, countering commoditized bulk segments.
• Optimize logistics: Negotiate bulk-shipment discounts for the U.S. market, where low frequency (23.73 vs. 33.72 quantity ratio) confirms wholesale-driven volume efficiency.
• Monitor tariff windows: Capitalize on Vietnam-U.S. trade agreements by aligning production cycles with policy advantages, as seen in October’s 26.4% YoY surge.

Take Action Now —— Explore Vietnam Rubber Footwear HS Code 6402 Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Vietnam Rubber Footwear Export in 2025?

Vietnam's Rubber Footwear exports in 2025 saw a volatile trajectory, peaking in April ($470M) before a 23% decline through September, followed by a 19% October rebound. This reflects seasonal demand shifts and front-loaded holiday orders, particularly to the U.S., where tariff advantages under HS Code 6402 boosted shipments.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Vietnam Rubber Footwear (HS Code 6402) in 2025?

The U.S. dominates with 33.75% of export value, followed by the Netherlands and China at under 8% each. This extreme geographic concentration highlights reliance on a single market.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Vietnam Rubber Footwear Export in 2025?

Prices range from under $2 for basic thong sandals to over $70 for premium ski-boots (HS 64029990). The bifurcation stems from niche high-value segments versus mass-produced, lower-margin goods.

Q4. What should exporters in Vietnam focus on in the current Rubber Footwear export market?

Exporters must retain high-volume repeat buyers (84.83% of value) through relationship management while diversifying clients to mitigate reliance on a few major accounts. Upgrading to specialized, higher-value products can also reduce price sensitivity.

Q5. What does this Vietnam Rubber Footwear export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers benefit from stable bulk procurement (evidenced by consolidated U.S. shipments) but face competition for differentiated products. The market favors volume-driven partnerships over fragmented retail demand.

Q6. How is Rubber Footwear typically used in this trade flow?

Vietnam primarily exports general rubber footwear (80% share), including standardized items like non-ankle-covering shoes, with niche segments like ski-boots serving specialized markets.

Detailed Monthly and Quarterly Report

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