The U.S. Department of Commerce has recently issued its final affirmative determinations regarding anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on hardwood and decorative plywood imported from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
The final decision will significantly impact global plywood supply chains, especially for Chinese exporters supplying the U.S. market.
China Faces Combined Tariff Rate of Over 276%
According to the final ruling, Chinese hardwood decorative plywood producers and exporters will face:
- Anti-dumping duty: 187.27%
- Countervailing duty: 88.96%
The combined duty rate reaches 276.23%.
With such a high tariff burden, exporting this category of products directly from China to the U.S. market has become extremely challenging, and many suppliers may need to reconsider their current export strategies.
For comparison:
- Vietnam: Combined duty rates vary depending on companies, with many exporters facing approximately 137.8%.
- Indonesia: The combined rate is significantly lower, around 58.97% for many suppliers.
The large difference in tariff levels may further accelerate the shift of plywood production and supply chains toward Southeast Asia.
Vietnam and Indonesia Strengthen Their Position in the U.S. Market
In recent years, Vietnam and Indonesia have become important suppliers of hardwood plywood to the United States.
According to market data, in 2025:
- Vietnam exported approximately 980,000 cubic meters of hardwood plywood to the U.S.
- Indonesia exported approximately 891,000 cubic meters.
Together, the two countries accounted for nearly 60% of U.S. hardwood plywood imports.
Meanwhile, U.S. imports of hardwood plywood from China have declined significantly. In 2025, imports from China were approximately 52,800 cubic meters, compared with around 2 million cubic meters in 2016.
This represents a dramatic decrease over the past decade, showing a major restructuring of the global plywood supply chain.
Impact Goes Beyond Short-Term Export Orders
The latest trade decision does not only affect individual exporters. It may also influence the long-term strategy of the entire wood products industry.
Historically, Chinese manufacturers maintained strong competitiveness in high-value decorative plywood products due to:
- Advanced manufacturing capabilities
- Stable production capacity
- Strong supply chain integration
- Competitive product quality
However, the latest tariff measures specifically affect these higher-value segments, creating new challenges for companies that rely heavily on direct exports to the U.S.
Global Supply Chains Are Entering a New Adjustment Period
For international buyers, this development highlights the importance of supply chain diversification and risk management.
Manufacturers and exporters may need to explore new approaches, including:
- Establishing production bases in different regions
- Developing alternative market channels
- Strengthening overseas partnerships
- Optimizing global logistics and sourcing strategies
The future competition in the wood products industry will not only depend on production capacity and pricing, but also on how quickly companies can adapt to changing international trade policies.
