Update on US Tariffs applied to Canadian cabinet manufacturing

Please check this space as we keep you updated.

Attention Media: If you are looking for comments and input from CKCA, please contact Sandra Wood, Executive Director, CKCA sandra@ckca.ca or 613-493-5858. We can put you in touch with our spokesperson.

October 22 2025

US Tariffs on Canadian built kitchen cabinet went into effect on October 14, 2025. The industry is still adjusting to these new rules and clarity around how tariffs get applied are still being clarified. We are aware that millwork is not affected by these tariffs, but encourage you to please check with your customs brokers to confirm these details due to the ruling of “components”. Labelling of materials will be extremely important. Many manufacturers provide both cabinetry and millwork to their US clients. The US tariffs are placing tremendous strain on those companies who export to the US and the long term impact will affect the entire Canadian industry. CKCA is working hard on this issue. We have heard from members, we understand what is at stake and the urgency of this situation. We are taking action and have identified three policy issues we are pursuing.

Reminder: CKCA members are also members of CFIB (Canadian Federation of Independent Business). While we are working to get clarification on what components are impacted by these tariffs, please feel free to call CFIB’s help line at 1-888-234-2232, they may be able to assist individual companies.

Policy Issues:

We want the tariffs announced by the US Government on September 25th and with the Proclamation issued on September 29th to be dropped on Canadian Cabinetry exported to the US at fair market value. In the letter sent from the American Cabinet Alliance to President Donald Trump, there was no mention of Canada being a country of concern. See letter here».
We call on Government to require that any business receiving government funding, subsidies, or incentives within the building and construction sectors must source cabinetry products “Made in Canada” as a condition of eligibility. Specifically, CKCA requests that the federal, provincial, and municipal government housing initiatives be required to source its cabinetry from Canadian companies where the products are manufactured in Canada. We are looking at programs such as Build Canada Homes initiative. See CKCA Press Release September 24th here»
The Canadian cabinet industry welcomes and benefits from a competitive marketplace. We call on the Canadian federal government to address the issue of foreign imports entering Canada at below fair market value. This issue is undermining the domestic industry and threatening our livelihoods. See data here»

In addition, please note that the Government of Canada, through CMHC has now released their Housing Catalogue and designs can be found here»

Consultations are now open for the Buy Canadian Policy under the Government of Canada’s department of Public Services and Procurement and we will be participating in those consultations.

Background:

The US released the executive order for the announced tariffs on wood products and their derivatives (kitchen and bathroom cabinets) on September 29, 2025. It’s 10% on wood and 25% on kitchen cabinets and certain upholstered furniture. The rationale is, of course, national security. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/adjusting-imports-of-timber-lumber-and-thei…
As it pertains to kitchen cabinetry and bathroom vanities it states:

“Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, imports of kitchen cabinets and vanities, as listed in Annex I to this proclamation, will be subject to a 25 percent ad valorem duty rate. This duty shall apply to completed kitchen cabinets and vanities as well as parts imported for use in kitchen cabinets and vanities.”

“Effective January 1, 2026, the duty rate in clause 2 shall increase to 30 percent and the duty rate in clause 3 shall increase to 50 percent, and shall continue in effect, except for countries with which the United States reaches an agreement that addresses the threatened impairment of the national security posed by imports of wood products. Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, the tariffs imposed in this proclamation are in addition to any other duties, taxes, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported wood products.”

The EU and Japan will only see a 15% tariff on the products instead of 25 due to already negotiated deals. The UK will not exceed 10%. Tariffs took effect October 14^th. As of Jan 1 2026 upholstered wood products will jump to 30% and kitchen cabinets will jump to 50% (clause 5 in the order section).
CFIB also has a tariff webpage should you wish to refer.
Please note that these tariffs are being implemented by the U.S. government.
CUSMA consultations are open until November 3.
According to StatsCan 2024 data, the Canadian cabinet industry exports approximately $610 million per year to the U.S.. We do not export much to other countries.
We estimate 20-30% of the industry is directly impacted by these tariffs because they export some portion of their cabinetry to the US.
Tariff relief programs are in effect, however, some of these come with very specific conditions. Please see the Pivot to Grow program offered through BDC here»
CKCA recently announced to members at our National Forum in Kelowna, BC that our organization is advocating for made-in-Canada cabinetry to be included in the government-sponsored housing initiatives for our domestic market. Please see our press release here».