Canada Slaps 25% Tariff on Metal Furniture—Here’s How It Hits Your Wallet

Canada Slaps 25% Tariff on Metal Furniture—Here’s How It Hits Your Wallet

New CBSA guidance confirms upholstered seating, office furniture, and even lighting parts will cost more starting December 26

Ottawa’s latest trade move is about to make your next furniture purchase noticeably more expensive.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed in Customs Notice 25-33—released December 24, just two days before the measures took effect—that a 25% surtax now applies to a wide range of steel-derivative furniture products imported into Canada. And unlike some targeted trade actions, this one hits imports from all countries, including the United States.

What’s Getting Hit

Based on official CBSA guidance, here’s what’s now subject to the 25% tariff:

The key detail: tariff classification drives applicability, not product description. If your sofa or office chair gets classified under one of these codes—even if it qualifies for preferential tariff treatment under CUSMA or other trade agreements—that 25% surtax still applies.

The Fine Print That Could Cost You

The CBSA notice clarifies several critical points for importers and consumers:

• In-transit exemption: Goods already on their way to Canada before December 26, 2025 escape the surtax—but importers need documentation to prove it.
• Non-stackable policy: Canada won’t double-dip. If a product already faces another steel-related surtax (like country-specific measures against U.S. or Chinese steel), only the higher-priority tariff applies.
• GST/HST sting: Here’s where it really hurts—that 25% surtax gets added to the value for tax purposes. So you’re paying sales tax on the tariff-inflated price, compounding the cost increase.
• Duty relief possible: The CBSA confirmed Canada’s Duty Relief and Duty Drawback Programs may help recover surtax paid, subject to program conditions and trade agreement rules.

What This Means for Canadian Consumers

If you’re shopping for a new sectional, office desk, or even replacement lighting fixtures, expect sticker shock. That $1,500 metal-frame sofa? Add $375 in new surtax on the import value, plus extra GST/HST on the total. An $800 office chair? That’s another $200 in duties before tax.

The timing is particularly tough heading into the new year, with many Canadians already feeling squeezed by inflation and interest rate pressures.

Our Commitment at FurnishMyHome.ca

At FurnishMyHome.ca, we know these tariffs create real challenges for Canadian families trying to furnish their homes. While we can’t control government trade policy, we’re committed to keeping our prices as low as possible despite these new 25% surcharges on metal-frame furniture.

We’re actively reviewing our supply chain, exploring duty relief programs, and working with our manufacturing partners to absorb costs where we can—because we believe Canadians deserve access to quality furniture without paying a punitive premium.

The trade war may be heating up, but your home renovation budget shouldn’t have to take the hit.

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For full details on the CBSA Customs Notice 25-33, visit the official CBSA website.