United States: the announced increase in furniture surcharges postponed by one year
On December 31, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation updating customs measures on imports of timber, sawn timber and derived products into the United States, which was expected to increase on January 1, 2026.
As a reminder, in September 2025 the President of the United States introduced specific measures on imports of certain wood and wood products in order to limit their volumes threatening local American production. To neutralize this « threat »A new customs duty came into effect in autumn:
- 10 % on imports of certain softwood lumber and timber
- 25% on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and bathroom furniture
The most affected exporting countries include Canada, Vietnam and the EU.
Donald Trump had indicated that, effective January 1, 2026, the customs duty rate for upholstered furniture would increase from 25% to 30% and that for kitchen cabinets and bathroom furniture from 25% to 50%, except for countries with which the United States had entered into an agreement to address the threat to national security posed by imports of wood products.
In its proclamation of 31 Decemberthe President considered it appropriate to continue these negotiations and to carry forward a year the increase in customs duties on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and bathroom furniture.
For furniture exported to the United States from France, most of them have been taxed at 15% since last August when they were initially not subject to customs duties.