What is happening with US tariffs?
What do you need to know if you are sending goods to customers in the United States?
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We know that many makers in the United Kingdom sell their work in the USA and the ever-evolving situation with trade tariffs has caused some concern. The rules have changed suddenly in the past, but we will do our best to keep this page as up-to-date as possible (and, for reference, here’s what we put together back in April).
The overview
Up until January 2025, any UK business wanting to sell goods in the United States would have had to pay some form of import tax, usually between 2% and 5% of an item’s value depending on what was being sold.
As President Trump began his second term in office, he began to make rapid changes to the laws on imported goods.
The baseline basics
Currently, any UK business exporting goods to the United States will need to pay an additional 10% tariff on top of any existing import taxes and shipping fees. Many shipping and courier companies can help you to navigate this, but it’s worth being aware when you set international prices.
No more minimum exemptions
Up until August 2025, commercial shipments worth less than $800 were exempt from tariffs and duties. This was referred to as the de minimis threshold.
But from 29th August 2025 the de minimis exemption was abolished and all shipments are now subject to full tariffs and duties, and to customs clearance and administrative charges. Lower value shipments will also go through a full customs process, which wasn’t previously the case, and senders will be required to provide more data. You can read more about it on the government’s business pages here.
Check how much your item is worth in dollars using an online currency converter. We find the XE site is reliable and updates as the exchange rate shifts.
Is it art?
Art works coming from the UK (and from most other countries, with China being a notable exception) are exempt from tariffs. However, what constitutes art is up for debate and is a particularly tricky area for craft makers.
On the whole, items that are produced in multiples (with the exception of the first 12 casts of an original sculpture), items that have a functional use and “works of conventional craftsmanship of a commercial character, even if these articles are designed or created by artists” do not count as art in terms of US import and are subject to tariffs.
The American logistics company Flexport has a useful guide on their site.
Materials: gemstones, pearl and mother-of-pearl
Precious and semi-precious stones that are mounted in metal are considered jewellery and subject to tariffs. Using these materials in mosaics, other artworks and frames can also cause issues, so make sure you fill out any customs declaration forms as fully as possible.
You can read more about it on the US Customs and Border Protection site here.
Materials: steel, aluminium and copper
If you work with metal you may be subject to additional charges. For everyone exporting steel and aluminium to the United States, tariffs are set at 25% of the value of the goods. While most headlines have focused on the effect on industry, for raw materials and mass produced items such as car parts, the rules also cover items made from these materials - including decorative pieces and tools such as knitting needles.
As of July 2025, a 50% tariff has been applied to copper and to products made from copper. The tariff, however, doesn’t apply to the value of thole whole item, but only to the percentage of the item that is made from copper.
Materials: wood
Again, talk of tariffs on wood has mostly focused on the lumber industry, but there are specific issues that furniture makers in particular should take care with.
A global 25% tariff on upholstered furniture is currently in place, as of September 2025, and this is expected to rise to 30% from January 2026.
A global tariff on kitchen and bathroom cabinets currently stands at 25%, as of September 2025, and is expected to rise to 50% in January 2025.
However, a trade deal between the US and the UK states that the tariff on wood imports from the UK “will not exceed 10%” but it is currently unclear whether this applies to furniture.
You can read the full briefing document from the United States government here.
What to do
Selling in the US is not impossible, but you will need to consider costs and margins quite carefully. The rule changes have also caused a backlog at US Customs, so there is currently strong possibility that your item may be delayed.
At Crafts Council, we will do our best to stay on top of any changes and to keep you informed. However, you can also seek help from your shipping agent or courier, or from an independent business such as The Export Department.
