Vietnam T-shirts HS6109 Export Data 2025 February Overview

Vietnam T-shirts (HS 6109) 2025 February Export: Key Takeaways

In February 2025, Vietnam's T-Shirts (HS Code 6109) exports were dominated by the U.S., capturing 31.29% of total value, with key markets like Japan and South Korea driving high-volume, cost-sensitive demand, while China and Europe showed premium potential. The analysis, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, highlights strategic opportunities in mass-market efficiency and niche quality segments, with critical attention needed on impending U.S. tariff shifts.

Vietnam T-shirts (HS 6109) 2025 February Export Background

Vietnam's T-Shirts (HS Code 6109: T-shirts, singlets, and other vests, knitted or crocheted) are a staple in global apparel trade, fueling retail and fashion industries due to consistent demand. As of February 2025, Vietnam faces a 20% U.S. tariff on these exports, with stricter customs rules taking effect in July [Vietnam Briefing]. The country remains a key exporter, but transshipment risks could push tariffs to 40%, making compliance critical for Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export 2025 February trade flows.

Vietnam T-shirts (HS 6109) 2025 February Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export value fell sharply in 2025 February, dropping 15.3% month-over-month from $355.84 million to $301.56 million. This decline suggests buyers pulled back ahead of expected U.S. tariff changes.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The month-over-month drop reflects typical post-holiday demand easing, but the scale points to deeper caution. Exporters likely faced order delays or cancellations as importers reassessed cost risks. Without volume data, the value slump implies either lower shipment quantities or price discounts to maintain competitiveness.

External Context and Outlook

This pullback aligns directly with U.S. trade policy uncertainty. [Willcox Savage] reported a proposed 46% tariff increase on Vietnamese imports, with a preliminary deal reached just days before a July 2025 deadline. Buyers acted early to avoid potential cost spikes, especially for transshipment-sensitive categories like garments (Willcox Savage). The outlook remains volatile pending final tariff terms and customs enforcement changes from July.

Vietnam T-shirts (HS 6109) 2025 February Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In February 2025, Vietnam's export of T-shirts under HS Code 6109 is dominated by cotton-based products, specifically sub-code 61091010 for T-shirts, singlets and other vests of cotton, knitted or crocheted. This sub-code accounts for the highest export value and quantity, with an estimated unit price of approximately 3.90 USD per piece, compared to slightly lower prices for similar cotton variants like 61091020 at around 3.20 USD per piece. No extreme price anomalies are present in the data, indicating a stable market concentration.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes fall into two categories: cotton T-shirts (61091020) and non-cotton T-shirts (61099020, 61099030, and 61099010) made from other textile materials. Cotton products lead in both value and volume, while non-cotton variants show moderate unit prices ranging from 3.72 to 4.30 USD per piece. This structure reflects trade in differentiated manufactured goods, not fungible bulk commodities, with price variations based on material type rather than raw commodity indices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export 2025 February, exporters face reduced pricing power due to external pressures like the 20% U.S. tariff on Vietnamese apparel [Vietnam Briefing], which may squeeze margins. Strategic focus should be on ensuring origin compliance and diversifying materials to mitigate tariff risks and maintain competitiveness in key markets.

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Vietnam T-shirts (HS 6109) 2025 February Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In February 2025, the United States is the dominant importer of Vietnam T-Shirts under HS Code 6109, accounting for 31.29% of the total export value. The value ratio is lower than the quantity ratio for the US, Japan, and South Korea, indicating these markets prioritize high-volume, lower-priced items, typical for mass-produced apparel. This pattern suggests a focus on cost-effective sourcing for large consumer bases.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top importers form two clusters: first, the US, Japan, and South Korea, with high volume and value but lower unit prices, driven by strong demand for affordable clothing in developed economies. Second, countries like China, Netherlands, and European nations show higher value per unit, likely due to niche markets or premium product demand, with China possibly serving as a hub for value-added processing or domestic consumption of higher-quality goods.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For mass markets like the US, suppliers should optimize production efficiency and cost control to maintain competitiveness, especially with impending tariff changes [vietnam-briefing.com]. For premium segments, focus on quality and compliance to leverage higher margins. Monitoring trade policies, such as the 20% U.S. tariff effective July 2025 (vietnam-briefing.com), is crucial for risk management in Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export 2025 February.

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Vietnam T-shirts (HS 6109) 2025 February Export: Buyer Cluster

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

The Vietnam T-Shirts Export market in February 2025, under HS Code 6109, is heavily concentrated among four segments of buyers. The market is dominated by a group that places large, frequent orders, accounting for 80.09% of the total export value and 72.04% of order frequency. This shows a market where high-volume, regular transactions drive most of the trade, with median characteristics leaning towards consistent, high-value exchanges.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The other buyer groups play distinct roles. Buyers with high-value but infrequent orders, making up 11.18% of value, likely represent major brands or retailers that bulk purchase seasonally. Those with low-value but high-frequency orders, at 2.21% of value, are probably smaller businesses or e-commerce sellers requiring steady, small shipments. The group with low-value and low-frequency orders, contributing 6.52% of value, consists of occasional or trial buyers, such as new market entrants or individual purchasers.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For exporters in Vietnam, the focus should be on maintaining relationships with high-volume, frequent buyers to secure stable revenue. The risk lies in over-reliance on this dominant group, which could be impacted by tariff changes. The U.S. imposed a 20% tariff on Vietnamese textiles in 2025, with potential increases to 40% for transshipment issues [Vietnam Briefing](Vietnam Briefing). This necessitates diversifying sales to include infrequent high-value buyers and improving compliance to avoid tariff spikes.

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Vietnam T-shirts (HS 6109) 2025 February Export: Action Plan for T-shirts Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Vietnam T-Shirts Export 2025 February under HS Code 6109 operates as a manufactured goods market. Price is driven by material type (cotton vs. non-cotton) and large-volume OEM contracts, not commodity indices. The U.S. market dominates with high-volume, low-price demand. This creates a supply chain built for mass assembly, but it faces margin pressure from a 20% U.S. tariff. Vietnam acts as an assembly hub with high dependence on key buyers and markets.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for T-Shirts Market Execution

• Segment buyers by order frequency and value. Focus retention efforts on high-volume, frequent purchasers to stabilize revenue streams. This protects against demand shocks.
• Analyze HS Code 6109 sub-codes for material cost shifts. Adjust product mix toward higher-margin non-cotton items if tariffs squeeze cotton margins. This defends profitability.
• Map shipping routes to top destinations like the U.S. and Japan. Optimize logistics for cost efficiency in high-volume lanes. This reduces delivered cost.
• Screen new buyers for geographic and order pattern diversity. Target clients in premium markets like the EU to offset over-reliance on U.S. volume. This diversifies market risk.
• Monitor U.S. customs data for tariff enforcement patterns. Adapt compliance procedures to avoid transshipment penalties. This prevents cost spikes.

Moving Forward: Beyond Basic Trade Data

Traditional market analysis misses critical details. It overlooks sub-component cost trends and individual buyer payment behaviors. Access to detailed shipment-level data is essential. It reveals real-time pricing shifts and buyer reliability. This depth transforms risk into strategy for Vietnam T-Shirts Export 2025 February under HS Code 6109.

Take Action Now —— Explore Vietnam T-Shirts Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Vietnam T-Shirts Export 2025 February?

The 15.3% month-over-month drop in export value reflects buyer caution ahead of expected U.S. tariff changes, with potential increases from 20% to 40% for transshipment-sensitive categories like garments.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Vietnam T-Shirts Export 2025 February?

The U.S. dominates with 31.29% of export value, followed by Japan and South Korea, which prioritize high-volume, lower-priced items for mass consumer markets.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Vietnam T-Shirts Export 2025 February partner countries?

Cotton-based T-shirts (sub-code 61091010) average $3.90 per piece, while non-cotton variants range from $3.72 to $4.30, reflecting material-driven price differentiation rather than bulk commodity pricing.

Q4. What should exporters in Vietnam focus on in the current T-Shirts export market?

Exporters must prioritize relationships with high-volume, frequent buyers (80.09% of export value) while diversifying materials and ensuring origin compliance to mitigate U.S. tariff risks.

Q5. What does this Vietnam T-Shirts export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers in the U.S., Japan, and South Korea benefit from cost-efficient mass-produced apparel, but must anticipate price volatility due to tariff adjustments and supply chain disruptions.

Q6. How is T-Shirts typically used in this trade flow?

T-shirts are traded as differentiated manufactured goods, primarily cotton-based, for retail consumption in high-demand markets like the U.S. and East Asia.

Q7. What is yTrade?

yTrade is a global trade data platform that provides SaaS and API access to provide accurate, structured, and searchable import-export trade data for international business decisions. It enables users to access verified shipment records, analyse buyer and supplier activity, review company trade overviews, assess compliance risks, and monitor real market demand — all from a single, scalable system.

Q8. How can yTrade benefit my business?

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Q9. What features does yTrade offer?

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