A Resource from The RTA Store

Understanding Cabinet Tariffs

Tariffs have become an important part of the cabinetry industry. This page explains what is in effect today, what is currently scheduled ahead, and what it means for your project — plainly, without the pressure.

Last reviewed: September 2, 2026

We're here to help you understand the changes — not pressure you into making a decision.

What Is a Tariff?

A tariff is a tax charged on certain products brought into the United States from another country.

The company importing the product generally pays the tariff when it enters the U.S. That added cost can sometimes affect prices later in the supply chain, including the price customers ultimately pay.

For cabinets, here's what is happening today and what is currently scheduled next.

The Short Version

Cabinet Tariffs: The Short Version

Current

Today

25 %

Current tariff on covered imported cabinets.

January 1, 2027

Subject to change

50 %

Currently scheduled to increase to 50% total. This increase has already been delayed once and could change again.

Important: A 25% tariff does not mean the retail price of a kitchen increases by 25%. We explain why below.

What We Currently Know About 2027

What is currently scheduled

The baseline tariff on covered cabinet imports is currently 25%.
Current policy schedules the rate to increase to 50% on January 1, 2027.
The federal government previously postponed this increase for one year.
Trade negotiations involving wood products have continued.

What could still change

If the scheduled increase ultimately takes effect
If the increase is delayed again
If certain countries receive different treatment
If trade agreements change applicable tariff rates
If additional policy actions modify the current schedule

January 1, 2027 is important, but the tariff policy that will ultimately take effect remains subject to change.

Could Tariffs Change When I Buy My Cabinets?

Not necessarily.

If your project is already approaching, now is a good time to explore today’s pricing and available options. But there’s no need to rush a major remodeling decision based solely on a tariff increase that isn’t scheduled to take effect until 2027.

Our recommendation is to make decisions based on your project timeline, your budget and the information available today.

Project ready soon?

Understand today's pricing, lead times and cabinet options.

Project farther out?

Keep planning. We'll continue updating this page as tariff policy develops.

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A 25% Tariff Does Not Mean Your Kitchen Costs 25% More

Tariffs are assessed when covered goods enter the country — long before a kitchen reaches your home.

25% tariff ≠ 25% retail price increase

How a 25% tariff flows through the supply chain

$100

Hypothetical imported product value

+$25

Tariff assessed at import

Supply chain

Costs are absorbed and shared along the way

Final retail price

Shaped by many factors beyond the tariff

The $25 tariff does NOT mean the final retail price automatically increases by 25%.

The actual impact on the price a customer pays can depend on manufacturer pricing, country of origin, inventory, freight, currency, other applicable duties, and how costs are absorbed throughout the supply chain.

Tariffs increase costs, but tariff percentage and retail price increase are not the same thing.

How We Got Here

A short history of the policy that shapes today's cabinet tariffs.

September 29, 2025

New Section 232 tariffs on timber, lumber, cabinets, vanities and related wood products are announced.
October 14, 2025

A 25% tariff takes effect on covered imported kitchen cabinets, vanities and certain related parts.
December 31, 2025

The federal government postpones the planned tariff increase for one additional year while trade negotiations continue.
January 1, 2026

The cabinet tariff had originally been scheduled to increase to a total of 50%, but that increase did not occur because of the December 31 postponement.
Today

The baseline tariff remains 25% for covered cabinet imports, subject to country-specific treatment.
January 1, 2027 Currently scheduled

Under current policy, the rate is scheduled to increase by 25 percentage points — bringing the tariff from 25% to 50% total.

Tariff policy can change through new proclamations, trade agreements, negotiations, court decisions, or other government action.

The Bigger Picture: What Else Is Affecting Cabinet-Industry Costs?

Cabinet pricing is affected by more than the tariff on finished cabinets. Materials and components used throughout the industry are also subject to various trade actions.

In August 2026, the U.S. International Trade Commission made affirmative determinations involving hardwood and decorative plywood from China, Indonesia and Vietnam. As a result, the Department of Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on covered products. Because plywood is widely used in cabinet boxes, panels, doors and finished ends, these duties can affect manufacturing costs even when the finished cabinet itself is not imported.

Certain imported softwood timber and lumber are subject to a separate 10% Section 232 tariff. Canadian softwood lumber can also be subject to separate antidumping and countervailing duties. These are different trade actions and can add cost pressure across cabinetry, millwork, construction and packaging.

Separate Section 232 tariffs also apply to certain steel, aluminum, copper and derivative products. Depending on the specific product, classification and country of origin, these policies can affect some of the metal products and components used throughout manufacturing and construction. Not every cabinet hinge, drawer slide, fastener or handle is necessarily covered, and applicable treatment varies.

Antidumping and countervailing duty orders covering certain wooden cabinets and vanities from China have been in place since 2020. Following a federal review in 2025, those existing orders remained in effect. These duties are separate from the newer Section 232 cabinet tariff.

The takeaway: There isn't one single tariff that determines the cost of a cabinet. Cabinet pricing reflects a broader network of materials, components, manufacturing, transportation and trade policies.

While Policy Changes, Our Job Doesn't

We can't control tariff policy. We can control how closely we monitor it, how clearly we communicate with our customers, and how aggressively we work to provide strong cabinet options and value.

Closely monitoring tariff developments

Working closely with manufacturing partners

Evaluating domestic and international sourcing opportunities

Looking for ways to minimize unnecessary cost increases

Maintaining cabinet options across different price points

Helping customers compare their options

Updating customers when meaningful changes occur

Whatever happens next, we'll continue helping customers navigate their projects with the best information available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Short, plain answers to the questions we hear most.

Section 232 is a federal trade law that gives the U.S. government authority to review certain imports and, when specific conditions are met, take actions such as imposing tariffs. In 2025, the government used this authority to review imports of timber and lumber products, which ultimately led to the current tariffs affecting certain imported kitchen cabinets, vanities, lumber, and related products.

For customers, the important takeaway is simply that Section 232 is the legal authority behind the cabinet tariffs discussed on this page.

No. The 25% tariff applies to covered imported kitchen cabinets, vanities, and certain related parts, subject to country-specific treatment. Cabinets manufactured domestically are not subject to this particular import tariff, though some of their materials and components may be affected by other duties.

Not necessarily. A tariff is applied to the imported value of the goods, not the final retail price. How much reaches the customer depends on manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers — and on factors like existing inventory, sourcing, and negotiated pricing.

They can be, indirectly. Even domestically manufactured cabinets may use imported lumber, plywood, hardware, or machinery that carries its own duties. Domestic production can reduce exposure, but it doesn't eliminate supply-chain effects entirely.

Under current policy, the tariff on covered imported kitchen cabinets and vanities is scheduled to increase from 25% to 50% on that date. This increase was originally set for January 1, 2026 and was postponed by one year on December 31, 2025.

Yes. As of today it is scheduled, not certain. It could be delayed again, modified by new trade agreements or negotiations, or changed through other government action. This specific increase has already been postponed once before.

Yes. Cabinets are built from wood products, so tariffs on imported softwood lumber (currently 10%) and duties affecting hardwood plywood can influence the cost of cabinet materials, even for cabinets assembled in the United States.

The RTA Store sources our cabinet lines from manufacturing partners that import products and components from various countries around the world.

All of our partners operate U.S.-based warehouses and employ U.S.-based teams to store, handle, and distribute their products domestically.

For our assembled cabinet lines, the final cabinet assembly is completed here in the United States.

Because sourcing and manufacturing can vary by cabinet line, our team can also help explain where a specific product is made, where it is assembled, and how its supply chain may be affected by tariffs.

That's a project decision, not something we'll push on you. If your project timeline is already approaching, it may be worth understanding current pricing and lead times now. Our designers can walk you through your options so you can decide what's best for your project.

We monitor developments closely and update this page as meaningful changes occur. The "last reviewed" date at the top of the page always reflects the most recent manual review.

Keeping This Page Current

Tariff policies can change quickly. The information on this page reflects our understanding of publicly available government information as of the last reviewed date shown above. It is intended to help customers understand the cabinetry market and should not be considered legal, customs, tax, or trade advice.

The tariff information on this page originates with U.S. government tariff policy. Official sources include:

Last reviewed: September 2, 2026. This date is updated manually whenever our team re-reviews the page.

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