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Several new American import duties targeting imported kitchen cabinets, vanities, wood products, and specific upholstered furniture have been implemented.

Following a presidential directive enacted by Chief Executive Donald Trump recently, a 10% import tax on soft timber foreign shipments took effect on Tuesday.

Import Duty Percentages and Upcoming Changes

A twenty-five percent tariff will also apply on imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities – rising to fifty percent on 1 January – while a twenty-five percent import tax on upholstered wooden furniture is scheduled to grow to thirty percent, provided that no fresh commercial pacts are reached.

The President has pointed to the need to protect domestic industries and national security concerns for the decision, but some in the industry worry the taxes could raise housing costs and make consumers postpone house remodeling.

Defining Tariffs

Customs duties are charges on overseas merchandise commonly imposed as a share of a good's cost and are remitted to the federal administration by companies shipping in the items.

These firms may shift part or the whole of the extra cost on to their customers, which in this case means ordinary Americans and further domestic companies.

Previous Tariff Policies

The chief executive's tariff policies have been a central element of his current administration in the White House.

Trump has earlier enacted industry-focused duties on metal, metallic element, aluminium, cars, and vehicle components.

Consequences for Canadian Producers

The additional international ten percent duties on soft timber signifies the material from the Canadian nation – the second largest producer worldwide and a key US supplier – is now tariffed at more than 45%.

There is already a combined 35.16% American countervailing and anti-dumping tariffs applied on most northern industry players as part of a years-old conflict over the product between the both nations.

Bilateral Pacts and Exclusions

As part of active commercial agreements with the America, duties on wood products from the UK will not go beyond ten percent, while those from the EU bloc and Japan will not go above fifteen percent.

Official Explanation

The White House says Trump's tariffs have been enacted "to protect against risks" to the US's national security and to "bolster factory output".

Business Concerns

But the Homebuilders Association commented in a release in last month that the recent duties could escalate housing costs.

"These fresh duties will generate additional obstacles for an presently strained residential sector by further raising development and upgrade charges," said head the association's chairman.

Retailer Viewpoint

Based on an advisory firm managing director and senior retail analyst the expert, stores will have few alternatives but to hike rates on imported goods.

In comments to a broadcasting network recently, she stated stores would try not to hike rates too much prior to the year-end shopping, but "they can't absorb thirty percent duties on top of other tariffs that are presently enforced".

"They will need to pass through expenses, almost certainly in the form of a two-figure rate rise," she remarked.

Retail Leader Reaction

In the previous month Scandinavian furniture giant the retailer stated the tariffs on furniture imports render doing business "harder".

"The levies are affecting our business in the same way as other companies, and we are attentively observing the developing circumstances," the company remarked.