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A series of fresh US import duties targeting imported kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, lumber, and select furnished seating have come into force.

As per a proclamation enacted by President Donald Trump last month, a ten percent duty on wood materials imports came into play on Tuesday.

Import Duty Percentages and Future Increases

A twenty-five percent tariff will also apply on imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities – increasing to 50% on 1 January – while a 25% tariff on upholstered wooden furniture will increase to 30%, provided that no updated trade deals are reached.

The President has pointed to the imperative to safeguard domestic industries and security considerations for the move, but some in the industry fear the duties could raise residential prices and make homeowners postpone home renovations.

Explaining Customs Duties

Tariffs are taxes on imported goods commonly charged as a share of a product's cost and are submitted to the American authorities by firms importing the goods.

These companies may shift part or the whole of the additional expense on to their customers, which in this scenario means everyday US citizens and further domestic companies.

Past Tariff Policies

The leader's duty approaches have been a central element of his second term in the White House.

Trump has earlier enacted industry-focused taxes on metal, metallic element, light metal, vehicles, and car pieces.

Consequences for Northern Neighbor

The extra international 10% levies on softwood lumber means the material from the northern neighbor – the major international source worldwide and a major American provider – is now dutied at above 45 percent.

There is currently a combined thirty-five point sixteen percent US offsetting and anti-dumping duties applied on nearly all northern industry players as part of a years-old disagreement over the commodity between the two countries.

Commercial Agreements and Exclusions

As part of existing trade deals with the America, tariffs on timber goods from the Britain will not go beyond 10%, while those from the European Union and Japan will not exceed 15%.

White House Justification

The White House claims Trump's tariffs have been put in place "to protect against dangers" to the US's domestic security and to "enhance industrial production".

Sector Worries

But the National Association of Homebuilders said in a announcement in the end of September that the new levies could raise residential construction prices.

"These new tariffs will create extra headwinds for an presently strained residential sector by further raising building and remodeling expenses," stated chairman the association's chairman.

Merchant Perspective

As per Telsey Advisory Group senior executive and market analyst the analyst, retailers will have little option but to increase costs on overseas items.

In comments to a media partner recently, she noted retailers would attempt not to raise prices excessively prior to the holiday season, but "they can't absorb 30% duties on top of other tariffs that are currently active".

"They'll have to pass through expenses, likely in the form of a double-digit rate rise," she remarked.

Furniture Giant Statement

Last month Swedish retail major the company said the tariffs on overseas home goods make conducting commerce "more difficult".

"The levies are impacting our company in the same way as other companies, and we are carefully watching the developing circumstances," the firm said.