Non-tariff barriers and export performance of Vietnam’s seafood industry: The mediating role of trade costs
Published: August 3, 2026
doi:10.62831/nckh.2026.359.v1
Abstract
This study evaluates the impact of non-tariff barriers, including technical barriers to trade (TBT), sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), and administrative procedures (ADM), on the export performance (PERF) of Vietnam’s seafood industry through the mediating role of trade costs (COST). The PLS-SEM method using SmartPLS 3 software was applied to analyze survey data from 350 respondents, including managers and heads of import-export departments. The results indicate that all three barriers significantly increase trade costs, with administrative procedures having the strongest impact (β = 0.371). Trade costs act as a mediating factor that transmits negative effects, thereby reducing export performance. Based on these findings, the study proposes solutions to enhance compliance capacity with international standards and reform administrative procedures.
Keywords
non-tariff barrierstechnical barriers to tradesanitary and phytosanitary measurestrade costsseafood export performance
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