1. Background and Decision Details
Table of Contents
On February 20, 2025, the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued Order No. 25-01, imposing a provisional safeguard duty of 400 pesos per ton (approximately USD 6.9) on two categories of imported cement to protect the domestic cement industry.
According to Order No. 25-01, the DTI initiated a safeguard investigation on imports of Portland cement (AHNT Code 2523.29.90) and Blended cement (AHNT Code 2523.90.00) under the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN).
The investigation covers the period 2019–2024 and aims to determine whether the surge in imports has caused serious injury to the domestic cement industry.
2. Legal Basis and Preliminary Findings
Based on Section 7 of Republic Act No. 8800 – the Safeguard Measures Act, and evidence collected from stakeholders, the DTI concluded in its preliminary investigation that there was a direct causal link between the increase in cement imports and the injury suffered by the local industry.
As a result, the DTI decided to impose a provisional safeguard duty of:
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400 pesos per metric ton, or
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16 pesos per 40-kg bag
on the two types of cement under AHTN codes 2523.29.90 and 2523.90.00.
The provisional duty will be effective for 200 days from the date the Philippine Bureau of Customs issues the implementing order.
The DTI also published a list of countries exempted from the safeguard duty — however, Vietnam is not among the exempted countries.
3. Vietnam’s Cement Exports to the Philippines
According to the DTI’s preliminary investigation report, Vietnamese cement accounts for the largest share of the Philippines’ total cement imports each year.
| Year | Vietnam’s Cement Exports to the Philippines (million tons) | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4.23 | 79.41% |
| 2020 | 5.37 | 91.41% |
| 2021 | 6.38 | 92.59% |
| 2022 | 6.34 | 94.76% |
| 2023 | 6.87 | 98.09% |
| 2024 | 7.20 | 94.40% |
These figures show that Vietnamese cement has consistently dominated the Philippine import market.
Therefore, the provisional safeguard duty is expected to significantly impact Vietnam’s cement exports, especially since Vietnamese cement is already subject to anti-dumping duties in the Philippines.
4. Investigation and Next Steps
Under Philippine trade defense law, the DTI has the authority to:
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Initiate preliminary investigations based on complaints from local producers or self-initiate based on available evidence.
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Issue a provisional safeguard measure during the preliminary stage.
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Refer the case to the Tariff Commission for a full investigation.
After the official investigation, the Tariff Commission will determine whether to continue or lift the safeguard duty and, if continued, will recommend the final duty rate.
The DTI will then issue a final decision based on the Commission’s recommendation.
5. Implications for Vietnamese Exporters
The imposition of provisional safeguard duties on cement imports — along with existing anti-dumping measures — could further restrict Vietnam’s cement exports to the Philippines, one of its largest ASEAN markets.
Vietnamese exporters and trade authorities are expected to closely monitor developments, coordinate with local partners, and prepare documentation for potential defense or adjustment strategies during the official investigation phase.