Apparel Manufacturer in Vietnam for EU Brands — Import at 0% Duty Under EVFTA.

EU fashion brands sourcing from Vietnam qualify for 0% import duty under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Vietnam-produced, US-managed, full C/O documentation on every shipment — making your supply chain both cost-efficient and legally protected.

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How EVFTA Works for Your Brand

150+

Units

Minimum order per style & colorway

0%

Import Duty

For EU brands under EVFTA

100%

Documented

C/O prepared on every EU shipment

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into force on 1 August 2020. It is a comprehensive trade agreement between the European Union and Vietnam that eliminates or significantly reduces import duties on goods traded between the two regions.

What is EVFTA and what does it mean for your apparel brand?

For EU fashion brands sourcing apparel from Vietnam, the EVFTA delivers a direct and significant cost advantage:

  • Before EVFTA: Standard EU import duty on garments from Vietnam was 12% of the customs value — applied to every unit imported.

  • After EVFTA: That duty has been phased down to 0% for qualifying goods, provided the shipment is accompanied by a valid Certificate of Origin (EUR.1 or REX Declaration).

  • On a €200,000 annual import from Vietnam, this represents a €24,000 annual saving — on top of Vietnam's already competitive production pricing.

  • The duty reduction applies to the majority of apparel and textile product categories under HS Chapters 61 and 62 — covering knit and woven garments including tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, and sportswear.

The China Plus One strategy is the industry's response: maintain a China relationship if needed, but build a second, reliable production base outside China. Vietnam is the most established and capable destination for apparel brands making this move.

What Section 301 Is Costing Your Brand — The Numbers


Example: An EU brand importing 1,000 units of womenswear dresses at €22 customs value per unit.

Without EVFTA (Standard Duty 12%)

Customs value per unit: €22.00
Import duty (12%): €2.64
Total duty on 1,000 units: €2,640
Annual (10,000 units): €26,400

With EVFTA (0% Duty, EUR.1 C/O)

Customs value per unit: €22.00
Import duty: €0.00
Total duty on 1,000 units: €0.00
Annual (10,000 units): €0
💾 Your EVFTA Savings

Annual saving on 10,000 units: €26,400

On €500K annual import value: €60,000+ saved

These figures are illustrative. Actual savings depend on HS code, declared customs value, and import volume. We prepare the EUR.1 Certificate of Origin on every EU shipment to ensure you capture the full EVFTA benefit.

Rules of Origin — What Qualifies

Technical requirements for EVFTA preferential duty eligibility

The Double Transformation Rule

For a garment to qualify for 0% import duty under EVFTA, it must meet the Rules of Origin requirement — specifically the "double transformation" rule:

The yarn must be spun AND the fabric woven or knitted AND the garment cut and sewn — all within Vietnam or another qualifying country (EU, ASEAN member states with relevant agreements).

In Practice for Most Apparel Orders

Fabric sourced from Vietnam or qualifying countries ✓ Qualifies for 0% duty
Fabric sourced from China, then cut & sewn in Vietnam ✗ Does NOT qualify
Fabric sourced from ASEAN countries (Thailand, Indonesia, etc.) ~ May qualify depending on specific bilateral agreement

How We Handle This

  • When you place an order with us, we source fabrics that meet EVFTA Rules of Origin requirements — Vietnamese or qualifying-origin fabric where possible.
  • We document the fabric origin at the sourcing stage and prepare the EUR.1 Certificate of Origin with full traceability to confirm compliance.
  • If your product uses fabrics that may not qualify, we will advise you at the quote stage — before production begins — so you can make an informed decision on sourcing.

Apparel categories we manufacture for EU brands

What We Produce for EU Brands

We produce across the full range of apparel categories for EU fashion labels, boutiques, and brands:

All categories: MOQ from 150 units. Full-package production. EUR.1 C/O on every shipment.

From order to EU customs clearance — how we work

How It Works for EU Brands

Share your design brief, tech pack, or reference garments. Include your target EU market, product category, and required quantity.

Submit Your Brief

We confirm fabric sourcing from qualifying origins and respond with a full production quote — including confirmation of EVFTA eligibility for your specific product — within 2–3 business days.

EVFTA-Compliant Quote

Mutual NDA and US-law production agreement signed before any file exchange. EVFTA documentation obligations are written into the contract.

NDA & Contract

Pre-production sample developed to your specification. You approve before mass production begins. Turnaround: 7–12 business days.

Sample Production

Full production run under our 3-layer QC system. Fabric origin documentation collected throughout production for C/O preparation.

Production & QC

We prepare the EUR.1 Certificate of Origin confirming Vietnamese origin and EVFTA compliance. Shipped with full documentation: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, and EUR.1 — ready for EU customs clearance at 0% duty.

EU Export with EUR.1 Certificate

Why EU brands choose Agile Apparel Source

Three reasons to partner with a transparent manufacturer

US Legal Framework for EU Accountability

You contract with a US LLC under US law. For EU brands with supply chain due diligence obligations under German, French, or Dutch legislation, this gives you a legally enforceable accountability framework — not just a factory relationship.

EVFTA Documentation on Every Shipment

We prepare the EUR.1 Certificate of Origin for every EU shipment — no extra charge, no chasing paperwork. Your customs broker receives everything needed to apply the 0% preferential duty rate at import.

Rules of Origin Compliance Built In

We source fabrics that meet EVFTA Rules of Origin requirements and document the supply chain at every stage. If a product cannot qualify, we tell you at the quote stage — before production begins.

Frequently asked questions.

  • The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is a comprehensive trade agreement between the European Union and Vietnam that came into force on 1 August 2020. For most apparel and textile categories, it eliminates EU import duties to 0% for qualifying Vietnam-origin goods.

  • You need a EUR.1 Movement Certificate or a REX (Registered Exporter) Declaration of Origin issued by the Vietnamese exporter. We prepare the EUR.1 Certificate of Origin for every EU shipment. Your customs broker uses this document to apply the preferential 0% duty rate at import.

  • Garments must meet the "double transformation" rule — meaning the fabric must be woven or knitted, and the garment cut and sewn, within Vietnam or another qualifying country. Fabric sourced from China and then sewn in Vietnam does not qualify. We source EVFTA-compliant fabrics and document the origin chain at every stage.

  • The 0% preferential rate applies to most garments under HS Chapters 61 (knitted apparel) and 62 (woven apparel), covering tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, sportswear, and most other garment categories. We confirm EVFTA eligibility for your specific HS code at the quote stage.

  • Yes. We provide full production documentation, fabric origin traceability, and are open to third-party social audits on request. Our US-law contract structure gives EU brands a legally enforceable framework for supply chain accountability — supporting compliance with German, French, and Dutch due diligence legislation.

Ready to import your apparel at 0% duty?

Share your product brief, target category, and annual import volume. We'll respond within 24 business hours with an EVFTA-eligible production quote and duty saving calculation.

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