The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The imposition of provisional duties and tariffs on imported cement by the Philippines is expected to have a significant impact, according to the Viet Nam Trade Office. Vietnamese exporters are being advised to actively participate in the ongoing investigation to avoid unfavorable outcomes.
The Philippine government has launched a preliminary safeguard measures investigation into cement imports from various countries, including Viet Nam.
Covering imports from 2019 to 2024, the investigation has resulted in the imposition of provisional safeguard duties, which will remain in effect for 200 days from the issuance of the tariff order by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) while the Philippine Tariff Commission conducts a formal review.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initiated the investigation on specific imported cement products, including portland cement (AHNT Code 2523.29.90) and blended cement (AHNT Code 2523.90.00), under the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHNT).
Viet Nam currently holds the largest share of imported cement in the Philippines. In 2024, cement exports to the country reached an estimated 7.2 million tonnes, accounting for 94.4% of total cement imports.
Given these figures, the imposition of provisional duties is expected to have a considerable impact on Viet Nam’s cement exports.
Phùng Van Thanh, trade counselor at the Viet Nam Trade Office in the Philippines, revealed that during the preliminary investigation, the Philippine DTI identified 33 cement exporters supplying the Philippine market, including Vietnamese firms.
“The Philippine DTI sent questionnaires to these exporters, but only 9 out of 33 responded, including six Vietnamese exporters,” Thành cited.
To mitigate potential losses, he urged Vietnamese cement exporters to provide all necessary information to the investigating authorities. He emphasized that incomplete or outdated data could lead to unfavorable decisions.
“The core aspect of a safeguard investigation is to assess the severe injury suffered by the domestic industry due to imported cement,” he stressed.
Thành also highlighted the importance of industry representation in the review process, calling for businesses to collaborate, present data collectively, and establish a unified position when engaging with Philippine authorities.
Last month, Trade Secretary Maria Christina Aldeguer-Roque issued Department Order No. 25-01, which mandates provisional safeguard duties of P400 per tonne (approximately US$6.90) on two types of imported cement. The measure aims to protect the country’s domestic cement production. TRACY CABRERA