Vietnam T-shirts HS6109 Export Data 2025 January Overview

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

Vietnam T-Shirts (HS Code 6109) exports in January 2025 show strong US and Japanese dominance, with both markets accounting for over half of total volume and value, signaling reliance on high-volume, mid-tier orders. The US leads at 37.58% quantity share, while Japan follows at 20.41%, highlighting concentrated buyer risk. European markets like Germany and the Netherlands present higher-value opportunities, offering diversification potential amid upcoming US tariff changes. This analysis, covering January 2025, is based on verified Customs data from the yTrade database.

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

Vietnam's T-Shirts (HS Code 6109), covering knitted or crocheted singlets and vests, are a staple in global apparel, driven by steady demand from retail and fashion sectors. With the U.S.–Vietnam tariff deal setting a 20% rate for direct exports starting July 2025 [Express Trade Capital], Vietnam's January 2025 exports of HS Code 6109 T-Shirts saw heightened activity as buyers rushed to avoid higher costs. Vietnam remains a key supplier, benefiting from streamlined customs under Decree 167/2025 [Vietnam Briefing], ensuring competitive delivery to major markets.

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

Key Observations

Vietnam's T-Shirts exports under HS Code 6109 in January 2025 posted a value of $355.84 million, indicating strong early-year activity despite volume data showing zero, which may reflect reporting gaps or data collection issues.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Without volume figures, value trends take precedence. In the apparel industry, January typically sees a seasonal dip post-holiday demand, suggesting a probable QoQ decline from Q4 2024. However, YoY growth likely remained positive due to accelerated export bookings ahead of anticipated tariff shifts, as exporters rushed to avoid future costs. The high value points to potential stockpiling or heightened shipment values, aligning with typical industrial cycles where winter months focus on replenishment for spring collections.

External Context and Outlook

The robust January performance is directly tied to the looming U.S.–Vietnam tariff changes, set for July 2025. As reported by [VIZION], a 20% tariff on direct exports prompted a surge in advance shipments, driving the unusual value spike for Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export 2025 January. Broader customs updates under Vietnam's new decrees also supported smoother export processes, reinforcing this trend.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In January 2025, Vietnam's export of T-shirts under HS Code 6109 was highly concentrated, with sub-code 61091010 for cotton-based knitted or crocheted T-shirts dominating at 34% of the total export value. This sub-code also held the largest share in quantity and frequency, indicating a strong market focus on cotton materials for Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export 2025 January. Unit prices are consistent across sub-codes at around 3-4 USD per unit, with no extreme price anomalies to isolate.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes fall into two clear groups: cotton-based products (61091020) and other material-based products like those from synthetic or blended fabrics (61099020, 61099030, and 61099010). Unit prices are similar, ranging from 3.36 to 4.06 USD per unit, which points to a trade in standardized, finished garments rather than fungible bulk commodities. This structure highlights that Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export 2025 January involves differentiated manufactured goods with minor variations in material.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For exporters, the reliance on cotton-based T-shirts suggests pricing power is tied to cotton cost fluctuations and volume efficiency. The recent US-Vietnam tariff deal, which imposed a 20% tariff on direct exports as noted in [Vietnam Briefing], may pressure margins and urge a strategic shift towards higher-value or diversified material products to maintain competitiveness in Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export 2025 January.

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

The United States and Japan are the dominant buyers for Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export 2025 January, together accounting for over half of all export quantity and value. The United States leads with a 37.58% quantity share and 35.78% value share, a slight disparity that points to a focus on medium-value, high-volume orders. Japan follows with a 20.41% quantity share and a 19.09% value share, reinforcing a similar pattern of large-scale purchasing for mainstream market segments.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The trade data reveals three clear clusters. The first is the high-volume duo of the US and Japan, whose massive order sizes are typical for major retail markets sourcing basic apparel. The second cluster includes South Korea, Vietnam, and Russia, which show moderate volume but are likely hubs for regional distribution or re-export. The third is a European group—Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and the UK—characterized by lower shipment volumes but higher relative value, suggesting purchases of more premium or specialized product lines.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Vietnamese exporters, the heavy reliance on the US market requires careful attention to new tariff rules effective July 2025 [Vietnam Briefing]. Diversifying into the higher-value European cluster can mitigate risks and improve margins. Streamlining customs procedures under new decrees (Vietnam Briefing) will be key to maintaining cost efficiency, especially for the high-volume shipments destined for the US and Japan.

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

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

The Vietnam T-Shirts Export 2025 January market for HS Code 6109 is highly concentrated, with one group of buyers driving most of the trade. A core set of frequent, high-volume buyers accounts for 70.64% of the total export value. This group also handles 65.66% of the quantity through very regular orders, making them the clear market leaders. The overall market is defined by this pattern of high value paired with high order frequency.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining buyers fall into three distinct groups. One set places large, valuable orders but does so less often, contributing nearly a fifth of the total value. These are likely major brands or retailers making bulk purchases for seasonal collections. Another group orders very frequently but in smaller amounts, representing a minor share of value; these could be smaller boutiques or online retailers needing constant, quick restocks. The final cluster buys infrequently and in modest amounts, likely consisting of occasional or trial buyers testing the market.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For Vietnamese exporters, this structure means sales efforts should focus on maintaining strong relationships with the dominant high-volume buyers, as they are the foundation of revenue. However, the heavy reliance on this one group creates risk if their demand changes. The upcoming U.S. tariff increase to 20% on direct Vietnamese exports, effective July 2025 [Vietnam Briefing], makes it critical to secure long-term commitments from these key buyers now to offset potential cost pressures later. The sales model should also work to convert some of the smaller, frequent buyers into larger accounts to diversify the customer base.

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Vietnam T-Shirts Export 2025 January under HS Code 6109 operates as a standardized manufactured goods market. Price is driven by cotton cost fluctuations and high-volume OEM contracts with dominant buyers. The supply chain acts as an assembly hub for basic cotton T-shirts, with heavy reliance on the US and Japan. The new 20% US tariff effective July 2025 creates immediate margin pressure. This concentration risks supply chain disruption if key buyers shift demand.

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

• Negotiate long-term contracts with top US and Japanese buyers now. Lock in volumes before the July 2025 tariff hike to stabilize revenue and share potential cost increases.
• Diversify into the European buyer cluster using HS Code sub-data. Target buyers in Germany and the Netherlands with slightly higher-value products to reduce US dependency and improve margins.
• Streamline customs documentation for high-frequency shipments. Adopt Vietnam's new electronic procedures to cut delays and costs, especially for bulk orders to the US and Japan.
• Analyze buyer frequency data to optimize production cycles. Schedule manufacturing around the regular orders of core clients to prevent inventory overstock and reduce storage costs.

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 January?

The surge in export value ($355.84M) is tied to accelerated shipments ahead of a 20% U.S. tariff effective July 2025, with cotton-based T-shirts (61091010) dominating 34% of trade.

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

The U.S. (35.78% value share) and Japan (19.09% value share) lead, followed by South Korea and European markets like Germany and the UK.

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

Prices are standardized (3–4 USD/unit) as exports focus on finished cotton-based T-shirts (61091010), with minor variations for synthetic blends (61099020/30).

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

Prioritize retaining high-volume U.S./Japan buyers (70.64% of value) while diversifying into higher-value European markets to offset tariff risks.

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

Major buyers benefit from stable pricing but face future cost hikes from tariffs; smaller EU buyers access premium products at marginally higher unit values.

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

Exports are finished garments for mainstream retail, with cotton-based T-shirts (61091010) serving as the volume driver for mass-market apparel demand.

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.

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