The Vietnam Shrimp Antidumping Duty landscape has taken an unexpected turn in 2025, sending ripples through the US seafood import market. If you’re involved in shrimp trading between Vietnam and the United States, you’ll want to pay close attention to these latest developments. Here at VNSeafoodInsider, we’ve been closely monitoring the situation, and frankly, the recent preliminary findings have caught many industry veterans by surprise.
The US Department of Commerce has just released its 19th administrative review results (POR 19), and let’s just say it’s not all smooth sailing for Vietnamese shrimp exporters. Some companies are celebrating zero dumping margins, while others are facing rates that would make even seasoned traders do a double-take.
Understanding the Current Vietnam Shrimp Antidumping Duty Situation
When we talk about antidumping duties, we’re essentially discussing the US government’s way of protecting its domestic shrimp industry from what it perceives as unfairly priced imports. Think of it as a referee in a trade game, ensuring everyone plays by the rules.
The latest review, covering the period from February 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024, has delivered mixed results that reflect the complex nature of international trade regulations. The Department of Commerce (DOC) examines Vietnamese shrimp exports to determine if they’re being sold below “fair value” in the US market.
This administrative review process isn’t just bureaucratic paperwork – it directly impacts the cost of Vietnamese shrimp on American dinner tables and the profit margins of importers across the country. For those of you in the business, these numbers can make or break quarterly projections.
Company-Specific Vietnam Shrimp Antidumping Duty Results
The Winners: Thông Thuận Co’s Success Story
In what might be considered the highlight of this review, Thông Thuận Co, including its Cam Ranh branch, received a zero dumping margin. This means the DOC determined that this company wasn’t selling shrimp below fair value – essentially giving them a clean bill of health in the antidumping department.
For Thông Thuận Co, this represents more than just a number on a government document. It’s a competitive advantage that could translate into significant market opportunities. US importers working with this company can breathe easier knowing their supply chain won’t be burdened by additional duties.
The Shock: STAPIMEX’s Steep Rate
On the flip side, STAPIMEX received a preliminary dumping rate of 35.29% – a figure that has sent shockwaves through the Vietnamese seafood industry. To put this in perspective, imagine having to pay an additional third of your product’s value just to get it through US customs. That’s not exactly what you’d call business-friendly.
What makes this rate particularly surprising is its magnitude. As the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) pointed out, no Vietnamese shrimp company had faced a double-digit preliminary duty rate in nearly two decades of administrative reviews.
The Ripple Effect on Other Companies
Perhaps most concerning for the broader industry is that 22 other companies with separate rate status received the same 35.29% rate as STAPIMEX. This departure from the usual practice of using a weighted average of mandatory respondents’ rates has raised eyebrows throughout the industry.
These companies, who weren’t selected as mandatory respondents in the review process, now find themselves facing the same steep duty rate despite not being directly examined by the DOC.
See more: Top 5 shrimp processing companies in Vietnam
Industry Response to Vietnam Shrimp Antidumping Duty Changes
VASEP’s Concerns and Historical Context
VASEP’s response to these preliminary findings reflects deep industry concern. The association has drawn parallels to a previous incident during the 12th review when FIMEX initially received a 25.76% preliminary rate that was later corrected to 4.58% due to calculation errors.
This historical precedent gives hope to affected companies, but it also highlights the potential for significant errors in such complex calculations. The association’s confidence that these rates might be corrected suggests they believe similar computational mistakes may have occurred.
STAPIMEX’s Strategic Response
STAPIMEX isn’t taking these findings lying down. The company has expressed confidence in its detailed accounting records and plans to submit additional evidence promptly. This proactive approach demonstrates the high stakes involved – when facing a 35.29% duty rate, every piece of documentation matters.
The company’s strategy appears focused on demonstrating that its pricing practices are fair and that no dumping has occurred. For those of you familiar with antidumping procedures, you know that the devil is often in the details of cost calculations and pricing methodologies.
Market Impact and Broader Implications
Immediate Market Disruption
The preliminary announcement has already created tangible market disruption. US importers, who rely on predictable duty rates for their business planning, now face uncertainty about future costs. This uncertainty can lead to delayed purchasing decisions and disrupted supply chains.
Vietnamese shrimp farmers, who are already dealing with various production challenges, now have additional concerns about market access. When your primary export market suddenly becomes less attractive due to duty rates, it affects decision-making from the farm level up.
See more: Top 3 Of The Best Frozen Shrimp Products for Importers
The Broader Trade Policy Context
These Vietnam Shrimp Antidumping Duty developments don’t exist in a vacuum. They come amid what VASEP describes as “the US administration’s broader high reciprocal tariff policies targeting Vietnam and other countries.” This suggests that trade tensions between the two nations might be influencing these proceedings.
For importers and industry stakeholders, understanding this broader context is crucial for long-term planning. Trade policies can shift, but the impact on established supply chains and business relationships can last for years.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect
The Path to Final Determination
The key date to mark on your calendar is December 2025, when the final determination is expected. This gives affected companies and VASEP several months to present additional evidence and challenge the preliminary findings.
During this period, expect to see intensive lobbying efforts, detailed submissions of financial data, and possibly even political intervention from Vietnamese trade officials. The stakes are simply too high for the industry to accept these rates without a fight.
Strategic Considerations for US Importers
If you’re a US importer currently working with Vietnamese suppliers, now is the time for strategic planning. Consider diversifying your supplier base to include companies with lower duty rates, or explore alternative sourcing options.
However, don’t panic just yet. Remember that these are preliminary findings, and history shows they can change significantly before the final determination. STAPIMEX and other affected companies still have opportunities to present their cases more effectively.
See more: Why Vietnamese Shrimp Faces the Heaviest Impact Under New U.S. Tariffs
Conclusion: Navigating the Vietnam Shrimp Antidumping Duty Landscape
The latest Vietnam Shrimp Antidumping Duty review results represent a tale of two industries – one celebrating regulatory success and another grappling with unexpected challenges. For Thông Thuận Co, the zero dumping margin opens doors to expanded market opportunities. For STAPIMEX and 22 other companies, the road ahead requires careful navigation and strategic response.
As we at VNSeafoodInsider continue monitoring these developments, we encourage you to stay informed and prepare for various scenarios. The December 2025 final determination will ultimately shape the Vietnamese shrimp trade landscape for years to come.
Whether you’re an importer, exporter, or industry observer, these changes remind us that international trade remains a complex, ever-evolving field where regulatory decisions can dramatically impact business fortunes. The key is staying informed, remaining flexible, and understanding that in trade, as in life, change is the only constant.
Stay tuned to VNSeafoodInsider for continued coverage of this developing story and its implications for the broader seafood trade industry.
Explore more: Top 5 exotic vietnam white fish that the importers should consider
Pingback: Vietnam Seafood Industry - 3 Tariff Response Scenarios Post-July 9th