U.S. Tariffs on Drugs, Trucks, and Furniture: What Shippers Need to Know

New U.S. tariffs announced last week signal another round of disruption for global supply chains. Effective immediately, the federal government has imposed:

• A 100% duty on branded pharmaceutical imports, unless manufacturers have broken ground on U.S. facilities.
• A 25% tariff on heavy-duty trucks.
• Additional duties on kitchen and bath cabinetry (50%) and upholstered furniture (30%).

While the measures are framed as a national security priority and a boost for domestic industry, the operational reality for importers and logistics managers is more complex.

Rising Landed Costs and Pricing Pressure

Importers of furniture, medical products, and commercial vehicles should expect immediate landed cost increases. For pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, the added duties feed directly into inflationary pressures across the U.S. market. For transportation providers, higher tariffs on heavy trucks may increase the cost of equipment procurement, which can flow down into freight rates and distribution budgets.

Country-Specific Complications

Some trading partners — including Japan and the European Union — negotiated tariff caps on pharmaceuticals. However, no explicit protections were included for furniture or trucks, leaving those sectors fully exposed. British exports of branded drugs are particularly affected, subject to the full 100% duty despite a trade deal earlier this year. Importers sourcing from Vietnam and China, who dominate U.S. furniture flows, are likely to feel the sharpest cost increases.

Compliance and Risk Management

The new tariffs are issued under Section 232 national security authority. That means importers must ensure:

• Correct tariff classification and declaration of affected commodities.
• Updated landed cost modeling, including duty, freight, and insurance.
• Review of supplier contracts and Incoterms to confirm who bears the added costs.

Failure to correctly file under new duty rates could trigger audits, penalties, or shipment delays. Importers should not assume that existing trade deals automatically reduce exposure — the White House has indicated that protections apply only where explicitly written into agreements.

What Shippers Can Do Now

For importers and their logistics teams, a few proactive steps can help mitigate risk:

• Re-evaluate sourcing: Explore alternate suppliers in unaffected regions or consider U.S.-based options where feasible.
• Update landed cost analysis: Incorporate new duties into pricing, margin planning, and customer communications.
• Align with your forwarder: Ensure that filings, cut-offs, and compliance checks reflect the latest duty schedules.
• Plan equipment budgets: For fleets and carriers, factor higher truck costs into procurement and long-term operating strategies.

Future Forwarding’s View

Global trade rarely moves in a straight line. Tariffs, duty changes, and evolving trade laws can shift market conditions overnight. At Future Forwarding, we monitor these changes closely and work with clients to:

• Ensure correct tariff filings.
• Provide visibility into shifting landed costs.
• Help manage compliance risk across complex supply chains.

The new tariffs are a reminder that vigilance is not optional. Importers that stay informed and align with the right partners can adapt more effectively to uncertainty — and protect their margins in the process.