The Expiration of the U.S. Tariff Pause on Chinese Furniture: Implications for Importers and Alternative

The 90-day pause on tariffs for Chinese furniture imports into the United States, which began in mid-May 2025, officially expired as of mid-August 2025. With this expiration, the U.S. has resumed its layered tariff regime, applying significant duties on Chinese furniture and other goods.

Current U.S. Tariff Structure on Chinese Furniture

The following tariffs are now in effect for furniture imports from China:

1. Baseline Reciprocal Tariff:

   • A 10% tariff on most Chinese imports, reinstated after the pause ended.

     
     

2. Section 301 Tariffs:

   • A 25% tariff on a broad range of Chinese products, including furniture. These tariffs stack on top of the baseline tariff.

     
     

3. Section 232 Tariffs:

   • Recently increased to 50% on steel and aluminium products and extended to steel-derivative household items (such as appliances) as of June 23, 2025. While these tariffs do not directly target furniture, the inclusion of steel components in furniture could indirectly raise costs.

     
     

Combined, these measures push the effective tariff rate on Chinese furniture above 30%, creating significant cost pressures for U.S. importers and retailers.

Implications for the Furniture Industry

The resumption of high tariffs on Chinese furniture has several key consequences for the industry:

1. Higher Costs for Importers and Retailers:

   • The cumulative tariffs on Chinese furniture make imports significantly more expensive, with costs likely to be passed on to consumers.

     
     

2. Decline in Chinese Import Volumes:

   • Importers and retailers are expected to reduce their reliance on Chinese furniture, accelerating diversification efforts.

     
     

3. Increased Focus on Alternative Markets:

   • Countries such as Vietnam, India, and Indonesia are becoming critical alternatives for furniture production.

   • However, Vietnam faces scrutiny from the U.S. due to concerns over transshipped goods originating from China. India and Indonesia are being explored for expansion, though challenges related to production scale and U.S. "rules of origin" persist.

     
     

4. Geopolitical and Trade Uncertainty:

   • The U.S. administration has signaled plans for further tariff increases on Chinese goods, suggesting ongoing volatility in trade relations.

Burnt Oringe International: A Flexible Solution

At Burnt Oringe International, we are uniquely positioned to help our clients navigate these challenges. With factories in China, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia, we offer the flexibility to process your orders in whichever jurisdiction makes the most sense for your budget, product quality, and strategic goals.

Our presence in these key markets allows us to:

• Monitor tariff developments and trade regulations in real time.

• Shift production seamlessly to locations with optimal cost advantages.

• Ensure high product quality by leveraging regional expertise and resources.

By partnering with us, clients gain access to a robust supply chain strategy that minimizes tariff impacts while maintaining competitive pricing and premium quality.

Conclusion

The expiration of the tariff pause has reintroduced significant cost pressures for importing Chinese furniture into the U.S., driving the need for supply chain diversification. As the industry adapts, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia will play an increasingly vital role in offsetting the impact of tariffs.

At Burnt Oringe International, we are committed to delivering value to our clients by strategically leveraging our global manufacturing footprint. Whether it’s China, Vietnam, India, or Indonesia, we ensure that your orders are processed in the jurisdiction that best aligns with your needs, helping you navigate the complexities of the current trade environment with confidence.