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Several new US import duties targeting foreign-sourced kitchen cabinets, vanities, timber, and select furnished seating have come into force.

Under a executive order authorized by President Donald Trump recently, a 10% import tax on soft timber foreign shipments was activated on Tuesday.

Import Duty Percentages and Upcoming Changes

A 25% duty is likewise enforced on foreign-made kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities – rising to fifty percent on 1 January – while a 25% import tax on upholstered wooden furniture is set to rise to thirty percent, unless new trade agreements are reached.

Trump has pointed to the necessity to protect US manufacturers and defense interests for the move, but certain sector experts fear the duties could increase housing costs and make homeowners delay home renovations.

Understanding Tariffs

Customs duties are taxes on imported goods typically imposed as a share of a product's price and are paid to the federal administration by businesses bringing in the products.

These firms may transfer a portion or the entirety of the increased charge on to their clients, which in this scenario means ordinary Americans and further domestic companies.

Earlier Duty Approaches

The president's tariff policies have been a central element of his latest term in the White House.

Donald Trump has previously imposed sector-specific duties on steel, metallic element, light metal, cars, and auto parts.

Effect on Canada

The supplementary global 10% levies on softwood lumber implies the commodity from Canada – the major international source globally and a significant US supplier – is now tariffed at over forty-five percent.

There is currently a aggregate thirty-five point sixteen percent US countervailing and trade remedy levies placed on most northern industry players as part of a long-running dispute over the item between the two countries.

Commercial Agreements and Exemptions

Under active commercial agreements with the United States, tariffs on timber goods from the United Kingdom will not surpass 10%, while those from the European community and Japanese nation will not exceed 15%.

Administration Justification

The presidential administration states Donald Trump's duties have been put in place "to guard against threats" to the America's homeland defense and to "bolster industrial production".

Sector Worries

But the National Association of Homebuilders said in a announcement in the end of September that the fresh tariffs could increase housing costs.

"These fresh duties will generate extra challenges for an currently struggling housing market by even more elevating construction and renovation costs," remarked leader the group's leader.

Merchant Perspective

Based on an advisory firm senior executive and senior retail analyst the expert, retailers will have no choice but to raise prices on overseas items.

Speaking to a broadcasting network recently, she stated sellers would attempt not to hike rates too much ahead of the holiday season, but "they can't absorb thirty percent taxes on top of other tariffs that are presently enforced".

"They will need to shift expenses, almost certainly in the form of a significant rate rise," she continued.

Ikea Reaction

Recently Scandinavian home furnishings leader Ikea stated the tariffs on overseas home goods render doing business "harder".

"The tariffs are influencing our company similarly to other companies, and we are closely monitoring the evolving situation," the company stated.