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Several new US import duties targeting foreign-sourced kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, timber, and certain furnished seating have been implemented.

Following a presidential directive enacted by President Donald Trump recently, a 10% duty on wood materials imports was activated starting Tuesday.

Import Duty Percentages and Future Increases

A twenty-five percent levy will also apply on imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities – escalating to fifty percent on the first of January – while a 25% tariff on upholstered wooden furniture will increase to thirty percent, except if updated trade deals are reached.

The President has cited the necessity to safeguard American producers and national security concerns for the move, but some in the industry worry the tariffs could increase housing costs and make homeowners delay home renovations.

Explaining Import Taxes

Import taxes are charges on overseas merchandise typically charged as a percentage of a item's price and are submitted to the federal administration by businesses shipping in the products.

These enterprises may shift part or the whole of the increased charge on to their buyers, which in this case means everyday US citizens and other US businesses.

Past Import Tax Strategies

The chief executive's import tax strategies have been a prominent aspect of his second term in the presidency.

The president has previously imposed industry-focused tariffs on metal, metallic element, aluminium, cars, and vehicle components.

Consequences for Canada

The additional international ten percent duties on soft timber means the material from the northern neighbor – the number two global supplier worldwide and a major US supplier – is now taxed at more than 45%.

There is presently a aggregate 35.16% American offsetting and anti-dumping duties applied on most Canadian producers as part of a decades-long conflict over the product between the two countries.

Trade Deals and Exemptions

In accordance with active trade deals with the America, duties on timber goods from the UK will not go beyond 10%, while those from the European Union and Japanese nation will not go above fifteen percent.

Official Justification

The presidential administration says Donald Trump's tariffs have been implemented "to guard against threats" to the US's homeland defense and to "strengthen factory output".

Industry Concerns

But the Homebuilders Association stated in a release in late September that the new levies could escalate homebuilding expenses.

"These new tariffs will generate extra obstacles for an presently strained housing market by even more elevating construction and renovation costs," said head Buddy Hughes.

Merchant Viewpoint

Based on an advisory firm top official and retail expert Cristina Fernández, merchants will have few alternatives but to raise prices on foreign products.

In comments to a broadcasting network recently, she said stores would try not to raise prices excessively ahead of the holiday season, but "they cannot withstand thirty percent tariffs on top of previous levies that are already in place".

"They will need to shift expenses, probably in the shape of a significant cost hike," she remarked.

Furniture Giant Response

Recently Scandinavian home furnishings leader the company commented the tariffs on furniture imports render conducting commerce "tougher".

"The tariffs are affecting our business in the same way as other companies, and we are attentively observing the developing circumstances," the firm stated.