2025 Vietnam Telephone Sets Export (HS 8517): Stable Yet Volatile

Key Takeaways

Telephone Sets, classified under HS Code 8517 (Telephone sets; other apparatus for transmission or reception of voice, images or other data), exhibited volatile but stable export values from January to October 2025, with a sideways trend around $6.4B despite sharp monthly swings. Smartphones (HS Code 85171300) dominated Vietnam's exports at 45.72% of value, highlighting a top-heavy market split between high-value finished goods and low-cost components. The U.S. accounted for 27.58% of export value, signaling premium demand but also concentration risk, while Vietnam's 15.56% re-imports suggest supply chain adjustments. Buyer behavior leans heavily on repeat bulk orders (88.88% of value), emphasizing contract stability over spot trading. Regulatory shifts like Vietnam's 2025 customs reforms and dual-use controls added temporary volatility without derailing momentum. This overview covers the period from January to October 2025 and is based on sanitized customs data from the yTrade database.

Vietnam HS Code 8517 Export Breakdown

Market Composition & Top Categories

Smartphones for cellular networks (HS Code 85171300) dominate Vietnam's HS Code 8517 export, accounting for 45.72% of the total export value from January to October 2025. According to yTrade data, this category saw over 263,000 shipments, highlighting its central role. The remaining exports are largely communication apparatus parts and other networking equipment, with parts like those under HS Code 85177921 contributing 20.61% of value, indicating a diversified but top-heavy market structure.

Value Chain & Strategic Insights

Unit prices range from $3.84 for basic parts to $273.90 for smartphones, underscoring a market split between low-value, commodity-like components and high-value, specialized finished goods. This HS Code 8517 trade structure points to a quality-sensitive sector for end-products, where branding and technology drive premiums, while parts remain cost-competitive. Vietnam's export strategy likely focuses on high-margin finished devices, leveraging its manufacturing prowess in this segment.

Table: Vietnam HS Code 8517) Export Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 8517 Breakdown

Vietnam Telephone Sets Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration & Market Risk

From January to October 2025, the United States dominates Vietnam's Telephone Sets export destinations, representing 27.58% of total export value, indicating heavy reliance on US market demand. However, Vietnam itself is the second-largest "destination" with 15.56% value share, classified as re-importation due to round-tripping in bonded zones or potential quality returns, suggesting supply chain adjustments rather than genuine external trade. This geographic concentration on the US exposes Vietnam to significant market risk if American economic conditions shift. Other key partners like South Korea (5.07% value share) offer diversification but remain secondary. The data underscores a need for Vietnam to stabilize its export flows beyond domestic re-imports and US dependence.

Buyer Profiling: Premium, Bulk, or Retail?

For foreign trade partners, the US shows a frequency ratio of 20.21% vastly exceeding its quantity ratio of 3.00%, signaling high-frequency, small-lot purchases driven by e-commerce or just-in-time replenishment. The value ratio of 27.58% far outweighs the quantity ratio, confirming demand for high-value, finished specifications and a premium market focused on margin extraction. In contrast, partners like China Mainland exhibit more balanced ratios (value 4.06% vs. quantity 5.46%), indicating mixed intent. The US market prioritizes profit through premium goods, while others may engage in volume-driven deals. Traders should target the US for margin opportunities and monitor other regions for scale potential.

Table: Vietnam Telephone Sets (HS Code 8517) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Vietnam Telephone Sets (HS Code 8517) Complete Destination Countries Profile

Vietnam Telephone Sets Buyer Companies Analysis

Buyer Concentration & Market Structure

According to yTrade data, Vietnam's Telephone Sets export market is overwhelmingly dominated by a core group of high-volume, repeat buyers. This segment accounts for 88.88% of total export value and 83.76% of shipment frequency, indicating a market built on stable, contract-based supply chains rather than spot trading. Representative companies like Samsung Electronics UK Ltd. and Cloud Network Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd. act as anchor clients, driving consistent bulk orders. This concentration reveals that Vietnam's HS Code 8517 buyers are primarily integrated manufacturing partners or global distributors with predictable demand cycles, not fragmented traders.

Purchasing Behavior & Sales Strategy

The heavy reliance on a few key accounts creates significant concentration risk; losing one major buyer could severely impact export revenue. Suppliers should prioritize relationship management and contract security with these high-volume repeaters to ensure stability. Diversifying into the smaller but valuable project-based buyers (9.07% value share) could mitigate this risk. From January to October 2025, the U.S.–Vietnam tariff deal [Express Trade Capital] may open additional opportunities for American-made components, aligning with these buyers' sourcing patterns. Monitoring HS Code 8517 buyer trends for any shift toward dual-use export controls is also advised, given recent regulatory changes.

Table: Vietnam Telephone Sets (HS Code 8517) Top Buyers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Vietnam Telephone Sets Buyers list

Action Plan for Telephone Sets Market Operation and Expansion

• Secure anchor client contracts: Lock in long-term agreements with high-volume buyers like Samsung Electronics UK Ltd. to mitigate concentration risk, given 88.88% of export value relies on repeat orders.
• Diversify U.S. exposure: Target secondary markets like South Korea (5.07% value share) to reduce dependence on the premium but volatile U.S. segment.
• Optimize for regulatory shifts: Align logistics with Vietnam’s Decree 167/2025 for faster clearance, capitalizing on post-reform shipment surges seen in May and July 2025.
• Monitor dual-use controls: Track HS Code 8517 for potential export restrictions on advanced devices, as seen in October’s decline linked to new regulations.
• Leverage premium pricing in the U.S.: Focus on high-margin finished smartphones (unit price $273.90) to exploit the U.S. market’s value-over-volume preference.

Take Action Now —— Explore Vietnam Telephone Sets HS Code 8517 Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Vietnam Telephone Sets Export in 2025?

Vietnam's Telephone Sets exports saw volatility in 2025 due to customs reforms and dual-use export controls, causing temporary shipment delays and rebounds. The market stabilized around $6.4B by October, reflecting regulatory adjustments rather than sustained shifts.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Vietnam Telephone Sets (HS Code 8517) in 2025?

The U.S. dominates with 27.58% of export value, followed by Vietnam itself (15.56% from re-imports) and South Korea (5.07%). This highlights heavy reliance on the U.S. market.

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

Prices range from $3.84 for parts to $273.90 for smartphones, driven by a split between low-value components (e.g., HS Code 85177921) and high-value finished goods (e.g., HS Code 85171300).

Q4. What should exporters in Vietnam focus on in the current Telephone Sets export market?

Exporters must prioritize high-volume repeat buyers (88.88% of value) while diversifying into project-based clients to mitigate concentration risk. The U.S. market offers premium margins, but reliance on it requires caution.

Q5. What does this Vietnam Telephone Sets export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

U.S. buyers benefit from high-value, small-lot shipments, while others like China engage in volume-driven deals. Buyers should align sourcing strategies with Vietnam’s focus on finished smartphones for premium markets.

Q6. How is Telephone Sets typically used in this trade flow?

Smartphones (HS Code 85171300) dominate as end-products, while parts support manufacturing. The trade reflects Vietnam’s role in high-margin finished goods and cost-competitive component supply.

Detailed Monthly and Quarterly Report

Vietnam HS Code 8517 Export Data Snapshot 2025 JAN

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