In the first quarter of 2025, Kitchen furniture exports to the US have fallen by nearly 9% after the threat of tariffs at 15 percentAnd the worst is yet to come. The consequences of Trump's promised new 50% tariffs on kitchen and bathroom furniture and upholstered furniture will likely be more severe. But due to the improvisation of some US government decisions, the chaos, as the American media has highlighted, is enormous. First of all, the measures did not come into force, as strictly planned, on October 1st due to pressure from the major American importers' and manufacturers' associations.
The very powerful American Home Furnishings Alliance which brings together producers and importers of furniture and the related supply chain, expressed an extremely negative opinion. The entry into force has thus been postponed to October 15th. Since threats to Made in Italy products are already jeopardizing the export earnings of the entire wood sector, it is important to clarify these points.
US furniture exports collapse
Il furniture sector Before Trump, it boasted constant export growth to North America, even double-digit, and in fact this has become its first non-European market. All products are medium-high and high-end. Exports also fell in July, 7,7 %The previous 15% tariffs were not only not an opportunity – as the League imprudently claimed – but they turned out to be negative on three fronts: final shop price lists, inflation and fewer purchases from ItalyIt should be noted that the tariffs also affect upholstered furniture, which is the backbone of our sales in North America and which is already seeing the Forlì district experiencing difficulties.
USA, kitchen exports also collapse
Le furniture exports for the kitchen in the first quarter are in fact dropped by 8,3% After years and years of sharp increases, this is a serious signal. Not even high-spending people buy Made in Italy products anymore. Only companies that are part of the Kitchen Cabinet Alliance For months, they had been asking Trump for protective measures, otherwise 250 jobs would be at risk. Then they realized that, alas, the industries in the sector, without foreign semi-finished products, were at a standstill.
Furniture and furnishings: contracting will fare worse
Most of the value of Italian furniture exports to the USA comes from contract. As recently Claudio Feltrin, president of Federlegno-Arredo, has explained in an interview with Adnkronos, the short supply chain of the contract strikes at the origin"When you sign a contract for furniture for a hotel, office, or whatever, the import invoice essentially becomes a purchase invoice for the American customer," Feltrin declares. "So I import 100, and if that 100 now costs 115 due to the tariff, I get a flat 15% increase. Then I add the other 15% for the loss of purchasing power of the dollar, and so it becomes 30%."
Uncertainty hits harder than tariffs
But what the Italian producers and American partners They were waiting for yet another answer: to know exactly whether the new tariff increases would be added to the 15% applied previously, on which specific categories, under what conditions, and in which countries. Last Monday, the White House issued a statement – as reported by the authoritative Home Business – which concerns imported wood, as well as furniture and kitchen cabinets. Imported wood will be subject to a 10% customs duty, while upholstered furniture will be subject to a 25% duty, rising to 30% starting January 1, 2026. Kitchen and bathroom furniture will be subject to customs duties of 25%, which will rise to 50% on January 1st.. Maybe. L'Uncertainty is part – as a Trump official explained at the time – of this war of Maga against everyone.
85% of furniture sold in the US comes from abroad – explains Business of Home – and of this 85, 50% comes from China and Vietnam. Even more for wood and semi-finished products. The duties would therefore have a "justification". For example, upholstered furniture from Vietnam (currently subject to duties of 20%) will rise to 25%, then 30%, not 45%, then 50%. Meanwhile, the same products from the Brazil (currently subject to 50% duties) will drop to 25%, then settle at 30%.
Another distinction: the tariffs on kitchen furniture will include both imported components and finished products, extending their application to a much broader range. Upholstery components were not mentioned. And the doors?
Tariffs: as always, against Europe
Special tariffs have been granted to several countries, with duties on wood products from United Kingdom limited to 10%, while those on wood products from the European Union and Japan will not exceed 15%. That's not true. It makes you wonder, will the 50% increase for kitchens and bathrooms no longer apply? No, it seems it will be spread out.. In particular, any reference to the USMCA, the tripartite trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada, was excluded, suggesting the possibility that imports from this area will be subject to tariffs.
Replacing the US market? Impossible
What the Meloni government says is currently unfeasible. The countries where we should immediately find the market share lost in the US all have double- and triple-digit tariffs. Brazil travels with 300% customs protection. Let's forget about them all for at least two years.
“We want to hit Chinese dumping”
The price increases will hit entry-level furniture all made in China and Vietnam, as the American government intended to achieve.. With a new nightmare for Europe: it will also happen for furniture and semi-finished products, What happened to Chinese cars and appliances flowing into Europe due to the decline in exports to the US?
What does the US industry association respond?
FIRST online he turned the question over to Bill Darcy, Global President and CEO, NKBA – National Kitchen and Bath Association – the mega-association that organizes K-BIS, and which represents designers, builders, remodelers, manufacturers, retailers and residential dealers in the industry.
“In this time of uncertainty for our sector – Darcy replied We remain committed to our partners in Italy and appreciate their significant contribution to improving kitchen and bathroom design worldwide. NKBA will do everything possible to provide our Italian colleagues with all the information and resources necessary to successfully address any potential challenges. We are carefully evaluating the implications of the recently announced tariffs on our industry. 228 billion dollars and its stakeholders. With this broad range of industry experts, we will continue to support and identify areas of success with our partners in the United States and Canada, as well as in Germany, Italy, Brazil, and around the world. One thing is certain: NKBA's 55.000 members are resilient. We remain focused on supporting them and providing them with the resources they need to create stability and growth for their customers and employees.
