by Matt Bell, Owner
If you manage multifamily renovations, you’ve felt the tremors already. In the last few weeks we’ve seen major tariff moves that directly touch cabinets, vanities, wood inputs—and the steel and aluminum hardware that makes them work. There are two forces at work in this changing climate: broader tariff actions (including Section 232 proposals on more steel/aluminum derivatives) and continuing anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on specific product categories – most notably wooden cabinets and vanities from China. AD duties are extra tariffs applied when goods are sold in the US at “less than fair value” (dumped); CVD duties offset unfair government subsidies in the exporting country. Together AD/CVD orders aim to level the playing field for US producers, and they remain in effect for cabinets/vanities from China.
How Tariffs Are Moving Right Now
- Wood Products & Case Goods: New actions have been announced on lumber, furniture, and kitchen/bath cabinetry, with rates stepping up into 2026 in some scenarios.
- Steel/Aluminum Hardware: The government is considering expanding Section 232 to additional derivative steel and aluminum articles – a bucket that can include hinges, slides, brackets, and fasteners.
- Existing AD/CVD on Chinese cabinets/vanities continue to apply and are being reviewed/continued through Federal Register actions.
How Tariffs are Impacting Raw Materials (and What We're Doing)
You’ll feel these policies first in metal-content hardware (frameless hinges, drawer guides) and in imported cabinet components. Vendor notices have reflected that reality for months. At MHD, we’re taking several steps:
- Inventory cushion: We maintain meaningful on-hand materials – including key hardware families – to help control near-term costs and protect schedules while new rules shake out.
- Transition to US sourcing: We’re expanding domestic, direct-from-US sourcing and tariff-neutral alternates for hardware and select components where performance meets spec.
- Spec engineering: We standardize SKUs and substitute equal-or-better hardware lines to reduce exposure without sacrificing durability.
- Dual-sourcing + forward buys: We place time-boxed buys on at-risk components and keep a second source online for continuity.
- Process + tech: Our Renovation Module (target release Q1 2026) is built to streamline ordering/workflows – especially for refacing – so projects move with fewer touches even as regulations evolve.
- Transparent pricing: Clear tariff riders and time-bound help you plan budgets honestly.
(Policy backdrop:
AD/CVD programs are long-standing and separate from Section 232 actions. AD addresses dumped pricing; CVD addresses foreign subsidies. Both are enforced jointly by Commerce and USITC; Customs collects the duties at the border.)
What Owners & Operators Can Do Now
- Pre-Planning is essential: plan ahead, order early, and plan for bulk ordering to save money where possible. Include buffers for lead times in your construction & renovation timelines.
- Lock design standards (finishes, hardware families) for 6-12 month where possible.
- Approve alternates that are tariff-neutral before you need them.
- Stage projects by stack and give suppliers early access to measure and verify.
- Ask for a tariff rider and a price-hold window; align on how changes are handled if duties step up on January 1.
Bottom line: AD/CVD on China cabinets remains; new tariffs and potential 232 expansions are pushing inputs higher—especially hardware. With inventory on hand, a shift toward U.S. sourcing, and engineered specs, we’re cushioning impact and keeping projects moving.
References
American Home Furnishings/Business of Home. (2025, September 30). What to know about the new furniture and cabinetry tariffs. https://businessofhome.com/articles/trump-s-furniture-and-cabinet-tariffs-take-shape (Business of Home)
Associated Press. (2025, Sep. 25). Trump to put import taxes on cabinets, furniture, etc.https://apnews.com/article/30e0ca1409747e92f374b436e9fef64d
Bureau of Industry & Security. (2025, October). Expansion of Section 232 tariffs—comment deadline. Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg summary. https://www.strtrade.com/trade-news-resources/str-trade-report/october/expansion-of-section-232-tariffs-has-oct-21-comment-deadline (Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.)
Congressional Research Service. (2025). Presidential 2025 tariff actions: Timeline and status. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48549 (Congress.gov)
Financial Times. (2025, Sep. 30). Trump announces timber and furniture tariffs. https://www.ft.com/content/d8e1f253-8329-42d9-b7f8-7f03c695d112
Federal Register. (2025, September 17). Wooden cabinets and vanities… continuation results; scope notes on hardware. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-09-17/pdf/2025-17985.pdf (GovInfo)
International Trade Administration. (2025). U.S. antidumping and countervailing duties. https://www.trade.gov/us-antidumping-and-countervailing-duties
POLITICO. (2025, October 13). Bessent says US in talks with China to prevent new trade war. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/13/bessent-china-talks-trade-00606345 (Politico)
Reuters. (2025, September 29). Trump sets 10% tariff on lumber imports, higher rates on wooden products. https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-sets-10-tariff-lumber-imports-higher-rates-wooden-products-2025-09-30/ (Reuters)
Reuters. (2025, October 14). US, China roll out tit-for-tat port fees…. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-china-roll-out-tit-for-tat-port-fees-threatening-more-turmoil-sea-2025-10-14/ (Reuters)
Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. (2025, Oct. 9). Expansion of Section 232 tariffs—Oct. 21 comment deadline. https://www.strtrade.com/trade-news-resources/str-trade-report/trade-report/october/expansion-of-section-232-tariffs-has-oct-21-comment-deadline
U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2025). Antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) FAQ. https://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/adcvd/antidumping-and-countervailing-duties-adcvd-frequently-asked-questions
U.S. Department of Commerce. (2020, Feb. 24). Fact sheet: Wooden cabinets and vanities from China (AD/CVD final). https://enforcement.trade.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-prc-wooden-cabinets-vanities-ad-cvd-final-022420.pdf
