US phone imports from Vietnam drop to lowest level

US imports of phones and parts from Vietnam fell to their lowest level since May 2020 in November, according to official Vietnamese data.

Vietnam is a key supplier to the US, with its smartphone export figures largely reflecting shipments from Samsung, which has major manufacturing operations in the country.

Vietnam’s phone exports to the US dropped to under US$410 million in November, marking a fourth straight monthly decline.

The fall followed the introduction of 20% tariffs on Vietnamese goods in August, though smartphones are exempt from these tariffs.

Vietnam’s phone production has been down year-on-year since August.

Shipments earlier in 2025 were strong, keeping the country’s phone exports flat for the first 11 months compared to 2024.

A source with knowledge of Samsung’s operations said the company is adjusting production and exports in response to weaker consumer demand.

The drop in smartphone exports also led Vietnam’s total exports to hit their lowest level since April, reaching nearly US$4 billion in November.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Vietnam’s phone export dip raises questions about parts vs. finished‑goods mix

The piece lumps phones with parts, mentions smartphone tariff exemptions, yet gives no split for US‑bound shipments or which part lines face duties 1.
Vietnam exported $53.9 billion in phones and components in 2024, yet no breakdown ties November’s drop to tariffs on parts or weaker demand for finished devices 2 1.
Use Harmonized System (HS) codes to sort the flows 3. HS 8517 covers telephones plus related gear including smartphones. HS is the global customs classification used in trade statistics. Parsing that code separates finished devices from other telecom hardware.
The breakdown matters since tariffs on parts can differ from smartphones 1. A source says Samsung is adjusting production and exports as demand softens 1.

US importers can limit tariff risk by diversifying component sourcing

If some Vietnam‑made parts face tariffs, US electronics distributors and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) can vet suppliers in Thailand, India or Mexico that have gained share in US HS 8517 imports 4.
Thailand’s share of US cell phone imports rose from 3.18% in 2018 to 11.91%, and India’s climbed from 0.18% to 18.96%, which signals viable production shifts as supply chains diversify 4.
Investors can track logistics providers and contract manufacturers in these markets as US buyers diversify sourcing to blunt policy swings 5.
Knowing the codes for parts versus finished goods lets US handset and component procurement teams stay compliant and shape sourcing plans 6.