Imports from China reach USD 187.34 billion: interpreting the data for year-end planning

Key points in the October 3 report

According to the Statistics Office, in the first nine months of 2026, China was Vietnam's largest import market, with import turnover of USD 187.34 billion. Vietnam's total merchandise imports during the same period reached USD 453.72 billion, up 36.7% year on year. These figures cover the entire economy for the nine-month reporting period; they are not sales figures for a single product category or growth rates for individual suppliers.

Who is this information useful for?

Businesses purchasing components, materials, equipment, or resale goods from China have an additional reference point when reviewing their supply sources. Editorial analysis: the large scale of trade is a reason to manage suppliers and replenishment schedules using company-specific data. Total import turnover alone cannot establish that a product is in short supply, prices are about to rise, or an immediate purchase is necessary.

Three things to check before placing year-end orders

1. Prepare an inventory table by SKU: goods available for sale or production, quantities reserved for customer orders, goods in transit, and required replenishment dates. Separate consistently selling SKUs from new products being tested in the market to avoid applying the same order quantities to both.

2. Ask each supplier to confirm the completion date, inspection-ready date, and delivery location. If purchasing the same type of goods from two sources, compare specifications and approved samples; do not assume that two items with similar-looking images are interchangeable.

3. Prepare at least two options: receive the goods in one shipment or split them into batches. Compare total merchandise costs, costs for each delivery, and the number of days capital remains tied up in inventory. Make a decision only after identifying which amounts are confirmed quotations and which are still estimates.

Include change conditions in the discussion

Clearly state who is authorized to approve changes when a supplier substitutes materials, changes packaging specifications, or delivers short quantities. For example, an accessories shipment planned in two batches requires two separate delivery lists, using the same SKU identification method. When one batch is delayed, the buyer can then determine which portion affects production or sales orders, rather than only knowing that the entire order is “not yet complete.”

Limitations when using the data

This article uses the reporting period published on October 3, 2026 and does not forecast freight costs, exchange rates, or customs clearance times. The preparation steps above are editorial management recommendations. For a specific order, provide the product list, quantities, goods-ready date, and delivery location so that all parties can check fulfillment capacity before finalizing the schedule.