U.S. Adds 12.5% Tariff to Vietnam Quartz Imports: What Buyers Need to Recalculate Now
- Author: info VIC - Time
- Business news
The United States has introduced a new Section 301 tariff on goods from 60 economies following investigations related to forced-labor import restrictions.
For the quartz industry, the key change is clear: goods originating from Vietnam and Thailand are now generally subject to an additional 12.5% tariff, while goods from India, Malaysia and Indonesia are subject to 10%.
The new rates apply to covered goods entered into the United States from July 24, 2026. The tariff is added to the normal duty under the product’s applicable HTSUS classification.
1. New Section 301 Rates for Major Quartz Supply Countries
The new tariff structure creates two main groups among Asian quartz suppliers.
| Country of origin | New Section 301 tariff |
|---|---|
| Vietnam | 12.5% |
| Thailand | 12.5% |
| India | 10% |
| Malaysia | 10% |
| Indonesia | 10% |
For U.S. quartz importers, Vietnam and Thailand now carry a 2.5-percentage-point higher Section 301 duty than India, Malaysia and Indonesia.
However, this difference should be measured in dollars before buyers reconsider their sourcing strategy.
2. How Much Will the New Tariff Add to a Quartz Shipment?
Agglomerated quartz slabs commonly used for countertops are listed in the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule under HTSUS 6810.99.00.20 when they meet the specified slab dimensions. The current general duty rate for this classification is listed as Free.
Therefore, for a qualifying Vietnamese quartz slab shipment that is not covered by an exemption or another trade measure, the new 12.5% Section 301 tariff may become the main ordinary customs duty.
| Declared customs value | Vietnam or Thailand at 12.5% | India, Malaysia or Indonesia at 10% | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $6,250 | $5,000 | $1,250 |
| $100,000 | $12,500 | $10,000 | $2,500 |
| $200,000 | $25,000 | $20,000 | $5,000 |
For a quartz shipment valued at $100,000, sourcing from Vietnam instead of a 10% country creates an additional Section 301 cost of $2,500, not $12,500.
This distinction is important. The commercial disadvantage of Vietnam compared with India, Malaysia or Indonesia is the 2.5% difference, while the full 12.5% represents the total new Section 301 charge on the Vietnamese shipment.
3. A 10% Tariff Does Not Automatically Mean a Lower Landed Cost
Importers should not assume that quartz from India will automatically be cheaper because India receives the lower 10% Section 301 rate.
Quartz surface products from India are already covered by separate U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty orders. Those duties are independent of the new Section 301 tariff and may significantly change the final landed cost depending on the manufacturer and applicable cash-deposit rate.
Country of shipment is also not always the same as country of origin. The U.S. Department of Commerce has previously determined that Chinese quartz slabs processed in Malaysia can remain subject to the scope of the Chinese quartz AD/CVD orders. Simply cutting, polishing or finishing Chinese material in another country may not change its duty exposure.
The correct comparison is therefore:
Normal duty + Section 301 duty + applicable AD/CVD duties + freight + quality and claim costs
A 10% Section 301 rate provides little advantage when the product is exposed to substantially higher trade-remedy duties or origin risks.
4. When Does Vietnam Remain the Better Quartz Source?
The 2.5% tariff difference can be translated into a clear purchasing threshold.
On a shipment with a customs value of $100,000, a Vietnamese quartz supplier needs to offset only $2,500 through lower factory pricing, better slab yield, reduced breakage, fewer replacements or more efficient container loading to neutralize the tariff gap.
For example, the Vietnam offer may remain more competitive when it provides a $3,000 lower FOB value than an equivalent supplier from a 10% country. The Vietnamese shipment would still have a lower total cost even after accounting for the additional 2.5% Section 301 difference.
This is particularly relevant for importers purchasing consistent programs of basic white, Carrara and Calacatta quartz. Color inconsistency, damaged slabs or rejected batches can cost more than the tariff difference between the two country groups.
Buyers should therefore compare the landed cost per usable slab or usable square foot, not only the tariff percentage shown beside the country name.
5. What Quartz Importers Should Review Immediately
Importers should first confirm whether their quartz slabs are entered under HTSUS 6810.99.00.20 or another classification. Prefabricated countertops, vanity tops and fully fabricated pieces may require a different classification review.
Open purchase orders should then be recalculated based on the shipment’s customs value and country of origin. On a $200,000 order from Vietnam, the new Section 301 charge may reach $25,000. When comparing that order with a 10% country, however, the relevant sourcing difference is $5,000.
Buyers should also verify the true manufacturing origin of the slabs and request consistent production, invoice and Certificate of Origin records. Changing the shipping country or completing limited processing in another market does not necessarily change the product’s origin or remove existing trade-remedy exposure.
6. What the New Tariff Means for Vietnam Quartz
The 12.5% rate increases the cost of importing Vietnamese quartz, but it does not automatically make Vietnam uncompetitive.
For most sourcing decisions, the real disadvantage compared with India, Malaysia and Indonesia is only $2,500 for every $100,000 of customs value. That difference can be outweighed by factory pricing, reliable quality, stronger documentation and lower replacement costs.
The more important question for U.S. importers is not simply, “Which country has the lowest Section 301 rate?”
It is:
Which supplier delivers the lowest verified landed cost without creating additional AD/CVD, origin, quality or replacement risk?
VICCORP is reviewing the new Section 301 structure and will continue supporting quartz buyers with Vietnam-origin documentation, product specifications, commercial invoices, packing lists and container-loading information.
This article is for general industry information and does not constitute legal or customs advice. Importers should confirm product classification, exemptions and total duty exposure with a licensed customs broker or trade counsel.
