Vietnam T-shirts HS6109 Export Data 2025 September Overview

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

Vietnam's T-Shirts (HS Code 6109) Export in September 2025 reveals a high-risk, high-reward market dominated by the U.S., which accounts for 30% of shipments, exposing vulnerability to new tariffs. The U.S. demand reflects mass retail sourcing, while Japan and South Korea show premium potential with higher-value orders. European buyers act as regional hubs, but heavy U.S. reliance demands cost optimization and market diversification. This analysis covers the 2025 September period and is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Vietnam T-shirts (HS 6109) 2025 September 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 fast fashion and retail sectors due to consistent demand. As of September 2025, Vietnam faces a 20% U.S. tariff on direct exports under this code, with stricter transshipment rules (40% tariff) and tighter customs oversight per Decree 167/2025 [Vietnam Briefing]. Despite these hurdles, Vietnam remains a key exporter, leveraging its textile industry to meet U.S. and global needs.

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

Key Observations

September 2025 export value for Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 fell to $204.11 million, marking a slight quarter-over-quarter decline from August's $210.06 million but continuing a sharp downward trend from the March peak of $365.57 million.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The sequential drop in export values since March contradicts typical apparel seasonal cycles, where demand for items like T-shirts often strengthens through Q2 and Q3 ahead of Northern Hemisphere summer. Instead, values plummeted by over 40% from March to September, indicating that industry stock replenishment and seasonal factors were overshadowed by external disruptions. This decline accelerated post-July, with QoQ decreases highlighting sustained pressure on export volumes or pricing.

External Context and Outlook

The export slump aligns directly with the July 2025 implementation of a 20% U.S. tariff on Vietnamese apparel, which spurred a pre-deal import surge earlier in 2025 before dampening demand [Vizion API]. Enhanced U.S. customs compliance rules, including the end of de minimis exemptions in August (Express Trade Capital), further strained small shipments. For Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export 2025 September, these policy shifts are likely to sustain headwinds, keeping values subdued amid higher trade costs and reduced competitiveness.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In September 2025, Vietnam's T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export is dominated by sub-code 61099020 for non-cotton T-shirts, which holds the highest value share at 60.83 million USD. This sub-code, describing T-shirts of other textile materials, shows a higher estimated unit price of approximately 4.73 USD per piece compared to cotton variants, indicating a specialization in premium products. The sub-code 61099010 is isolated as an anomaly due to its low transaction frequency of only 277 shipments, which distorts the main analysis pool.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The export structure splits into two clear categories: cotton T-shirts (sub-codes 61091010 and 61091020) with lower unit prices around 3.75 USD and 3.09 USD per piece, and non-cotton T-shirts (sub-codes 61099020 and 61099030) with higher unit prices around 4.73 USD and 4.39 USD per piece. This differentiation suggests a trade in manufactured goods with varying quality grades, rather than fungible commodities, as material type drives value and pricing disparities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Exporters of Vietnam T-Shirts should focus on non-cotton products under HS Code 6109 to capitalize on stronger pricing power and higher margins. However, the 20% U.S. tariff on direct exports [FreightAmigo] necessitates cost efficiency and accurate HTS coding to maintain competitiveness in the 2025 September market. (FreightAmigo)

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

The United States is the dominant buyer for Vietnam T-Shirts HS Code 6109 Export 2025 September, taking over 30% of the total value and quantity. The near-identical value and quantity ratios show a balanced unit price, indicating these are standard, medium-value manufactured goods, not premium or commodity items. This points to large-volume apparel sourcing for mass retail.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The importers form clear groups. The first is the single massive US market. The second cluster includes Japan and South Korea, which have high value relative to their quantity, suggesting they buy more sophisticated or higher-quality T-shirts. The third group contains European nations like the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium; their patterns are consistent with acting as regional logistics and distribution hubs for goods entering the EU market, consolidating shipments for wider distribution.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Vietnamese exporters, the heavy reliance on the US market is a key strength but also a major risk due to new tariffs. The 20% U.S. tariff on direct exports [FreightAmigo] makes cost control critical. To protect margins, factories must optimize production and logistics. Diversifying into the higher-value Japanese and Korean markets can improve profitability. Furthermore, new Vietnamese customs rules require closer oversight of export declarations [Vietnam Briefing], so exporters must ensure full compliance to avoid shipping delays.

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The market for Vietnam T-Shirts Export 2025 September under HS Code 6109 is defined by two key price drivers. Product specification, specifically the use of non-cotton materials, commands a premium price. High-volume OEM contracts with dominant buyers also dictate pricing and volume. The primary supply chain implication is Vietnam's role as a large-scale assembly hub for global apparel brands. This creates a critical dependence on a few major buyers and exposes the sector to external risks like the 20% U.S. tariff, making cost efficiency and compliance paramount.

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

• Prioritize production of non-cotton T-shirts under sub-code 61099020. This uses the HS code data to target the product line with the highest unit price and margins, directly boosting profitability.
• Use buyer frequency data to identify and secure long-term contracts with high-volume clients. This ensures stable revenue by focusing resources on the core buyer group that drives over 80% of export value.
• Analyze shipment data for Japan and South Korea to develop a market entry strategy. This diversifies revenue away from tariff-heavy markets and capitalizes on their demand for higher-value products.
• Audit all export declarations against new Vietnamese customs rules before shipping. This prevents costly delays and ensures full compliance, protecting your supply chain's reliability for key buyers.

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 September?

The export value dropped sharply from $365.57 million in March to $204.11 million in September, primarily due to the 20% U.S. tariff implemented in July 2025, which dampened demand and disrupted seasonal trade patterns.

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

The U.S. dominates with over 30% of total exports, followed by Japan and South Korea, which purchase higher-value T-shirts, and European nations like the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium acting as regional distribution hubs.

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

Non-cotton T-shirts (sub-code 61099020) command a higher unit price ($4.73/piece) compared to cotton variants ($3.09–$3.75/piece), with Japan and South Korea favoring premium non-cotton products.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-volume buyers (81.8% of value) while diversifying into higher-margin markets like Japan and South Korea to offset U.S. tariff pressures.

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

U.S. buyers face higher costs due to tariffs, while Japanese and Korean buyers access premium products. European buyers benefit from consolidated logistics for regional distribution.

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

T-shirts are exported as finished apparel goods, with cotton variants serving mass retail and non-cotton products targeting higher-end markets.