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Several recently announced United States import duties targeting foreign-sourced kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, wood products, and specific upholstered furniture have come into force.

As per a presidential directive signed by President Donald Trump recently, a 10% import tax on wood materials foreign shipments took effect on Tuesday.

Tariff Rates and Upcoming Changes

A 25% levy is likewise enforced on imported kitchen cabinets and vanities – escalating to 50% on January 1st – while a 25% import tax on upholstered wooden furniture will increase to thirty percent, provided that no updated trade deals are reached.

Trump has referenced the necessity to shield domestic industries and defense interests for the decision, but various industry players worry the tariffs could raise home expenses and cause consumers put off residential upgrades.

Defining Tariffs

Customs duties are levies on imported goods commonly applied as a percentage of a product's price and are remitted to the American authorities by companies bringing in the goods.

These firms may pass some or all of the additional expense on to their customers, which in this case means ordinary Americans and other US businesses.

Past Tariff Policies

The president's duty approaches have been a key feature of his latest term in the presidency.

The president has earlier enacted targeted taxes on metal, metallic element, aluminium, vehicles, and auto parts.

Consequences for Canada

The supplementary international 10% duties on wood materials implies the material from the northern neighbor – the number two global supplier internationally and a key American provider – is now dutied at more than 45%.

There is already a total 35.16% US countervailing and anti-dumping duties placed on the majority of Canada-based manufacturers as part of a long-running dispute over the product between the both nations.

Trade Deals and Exclusions

In accordance with existing commercial agreements with the US, tariffs on lumber items from the UK will not exceed ten percent, while those from the European community and Japan will not exceed 15%.

Official Justification

The presidential administration claims the president's import taxes have been put in place "to protect against dangers" to the America's homeland defense and to "enhance factory output".

Industry Apprehensions

But the Residential Construction Group commented in a statement in last month that the new levies could escalate housing costs.

"These recent levies will create additional headwinds for an already challenged residential sector by even more elevating construction and renovation costs," said chairman the group's leader.

Seller Perspective

According to an advisory firm senior executive and retail expert the analyst, merchants will have few alternatives but to increase costs on foreign products.

In comments to a broadcasting network recently, she said stores would try not to increase costs excessively prior to the festive period, but "they can't absorb 30% taxes on alongside other tariffs that are currently active".

"They must pass through expenses, probably in the form of a double-digit rate rise," she remarked.

Furniture Giant Reaction

Recently Swedish home furnishings leader Ikea stated the duties on overseas home goods render operating "tougher".

"The tariffs are influencing our business in the same way as other companies, and we are carefully watching the evolving situation," the company said.