As part of a Section 232 review, the adjusted tariffs will affect lumber, furniture, and cabinetry imports through 2026, with the potential for additional wood products to be added.
The U.S. has announced an adjustment to wood import tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, effective October 14, 2025.
As part of the adjustment, softwood lumber will now face a 10% duty, while certain upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities will carry a 25% duty.
Those rates will rise further starting January 1, 2026, when wood import tariffs will increase to 30% for furniture and 50% for cabinets and vanities, unless new agreements are made to address the issues identified by the related Section 232 investigation.
Accordingly, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) will be updated to reflect the new rates.
The proclamation announcing this adjustment states that the new duties are eligible for duty drawback and that goods entered through foreign-trade zones (FTZs) must be admitted under privileged foreign status as of October 14.
It also confirms that earlier measures inconsistent with the new tariffs are superseded.
The tariff structure applies different caps for certain trading partners.
Imports from the United Kingdom will not exceed a 10% duty.
Imports from the European Union and Japan are capped at a combined duty rate of 15%, including most-favoured-nation (MFN) tariffs.
Moreover, where products are already subject to other tariff measures, those earlier rules remain in force.
The tariffs follow a Commerce Department investigation under Section 232, which found that the present quantities and circumstances of wood product imports are weakening the U.S. economy.
The report highlighted threats of mill closures, disruptions to wood product supply chains, and a decline in the use of domestic production capacity.
It warned that under these conditions, the U.S. may be unable to meet demand for wood products that are crucial to national defense and critical infrastructure.
Considering the close link between economic welfare and national security, the Secretary concluded that current import levels of wood products pose a threat to U.S. national security.
The Commerce Department will continue monitoring imports of wood products and must deliver a review of hardwood timber and lumber markets by October 1, 2026.
The report will assess the need for imposing additional tariffs and could recommend phased duties or mixed and compound rates in cases of undervaluation.
Moreover, the Secretary will advise if the scheduled increases in duty rates are no longer necessary.
In parallel, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with Commerce, will pursue or continue negotiations with trading partners to address the national security threat identified under Section 232.
The USTR is required to report on the status of these negotiations at least once before January 1, 2026, and again within 180 days as of the date of the proclamation (September 29, 2025).
Additionally, Commerce will maintain a process to add more wood products under tariff coverage if monitoring shows their inclusion reduces the national security threat.
With the first stage of tariffs beginning soon, importers are advised to start preparing by:
At Cole International, we constantly monitor changing trade regulations and offer customs and compliance consulting services to help businesses navigate these changes.
Additionally, we provide timely and efficient customs brokerage services to help U.S. importers streamline their customs clearance processes.
If you import wood products into the U.S., please reach out to one of our trade professionals to navigate the new import tariffs and stay compliant as the rules take effect.