Nikon quietly shifts some lens production from China to Vietnam - Nikon Rumors
Roland, the person behind the Nikon serial website Photosynthesis, recently contacted me to inform me that Nikon has shifted production of some lenses from China to Vietnam. The example given was with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2. 8 lens (now $200 off) – initially, the lens was made in China: An updated list of where Nikon […]
Roland, the person behind the Nikon serial websitePhotosynthesis,recently contacted me to inform me that Nikon has shifted production of some lenses from China to Vietnam. The example given was with theNikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2. 8lens (now $200 off) – initially, thelens was made in China:An updated list of where Nikon Z cameras and lenses are manufacturedThe latest production batch is marked “Made in Vietnam” on both the lens barrel and the retail box:Theofficial Nikon websiteindicates that only theNIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1. 7 lensis currently manufactured in Vietnam. This is probably the result of theongoing tariff mess: companiesraised pricesdue to tariffs, customers paid the higher prices, and then companies received government refunds after the tariffs wereruled unconstitutional($81 billion so far). I am also sure that moving manufacturing from China to Vietnam caused additional expenses for Nikon that will be reflected in the pricing. Here is an AI-generated recap of the differences in US import tariffs on Nikon lenses made in Vietnam and China:ComponentVietnam OriginChina OriginNotesBase MFN (Column 1)Free (0%) or 2. 3%Free (0%) or 2. 3%Primary codes under 9002. 11 are generally Free. Section 301None+25%Applies only to China-origin goods. Section 122 baseline+10%+10%Global temporary surcharge (still active as of July 22; scheduled to expire ~July 24, 2026). Typical Effective Total~10%~35%(0% + 10%) vs (0% + 25% + 10%). Difference—~25 percentage points higher for ChinaSignificant cost gap favoring Vietnam origin.