Canadian-U.S. Trade War to Impact Several Flooring Categories

Washington, DC, August 28, 2026—The new U.S.–Canada tariff actions will impact the flooring industry but do not cover every flooring product uniformly. The impact depends on the exact customs classification and country of origin. This is our current understanding but is, obviously subject to change. U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods took effect on August 25, and Canada’s retaliatory counter-tariffs begin on September 8.

Carpet

Canadian-made flooring entering U.S.: 50% on a narrow category of tufted carpet made from certain man-made fibers, HTS 5703.39.20. Most other carpet remains outside the new U.S. list.

U.S.-made flooring entering Canada: 25% on most carpet classifications; 50% on certain tufted carpet made from non-nylon man-made fibers.

Hardwood

Canadian-made flooring entering U.S.: Most finished hardwood flooring appears not covered by the new 50% tariff.

U.S.-made flooring entering Canada: Most finished hardwood flooring appears not covered.

Engineered hardwood

Canadian-made flooring entering U.S.: Most finished engineered flooring under assembled-flooring classifications appears not directly covered. Canadian plywood or panel components may be subject to 50%.

U.S.-made flooring entering Canada: Most finished engineered flooring appears not directly covered, but many plywood products used as cores or components face 50%.

LVT, VCT and vinyl flooring

Canadian-made flooring entering U.S.50% on vinyl tile classified under U.S. HTS 3918.10.10. Other resilient products, including some sheet vinyl and products classified elsewhere, are not necessarily covered.

U.S.-made flooring entering Canada: 50% on PVC floor coverings under Canadian tariff items 3918.10.10 and 3918.10.90. This is broad enough to capture most U.S.-origin LVT, VCT and PVC sheet flooring.

Ceramic/porcelain tile

Canadian-made flooring entering U.S.: Finished tile under HTS 6907 appears not covered.

U.S.-made flooring entering Canada: Finished ceramic and porcelain tile appears not covered.

Laminate

Canadian-made flooring entering U.S.: Most finished laminate flooring appears not directly covered, although Canadian MDF, particleboard and plywood cores may be subject to 50%.

U.S.-made flooring entering Canada: Finished laminate appears not directly covered. The Canadian retaliation list does not appear to include MDF or particleboard headings 4410 and 4411, although certain plywood components under 4412 face 50%.

The U.S. imposed an additional 50% duty on specifically listed Canadian-origin goods. It applies even when those products otherwise qualify for duty-free treatment under USMCA.

In summary, resilient and carpet trade is hit hardest in both directions. Canada’s retaliation covers much more U.S.-made carpet than the U.S. action covers Canadian carpet. Finished hardwood, laminate and ceramic generally escape the direct duties, although engineered-wood and laminate inputs may be affected.

The complete list of Canadian tariffs is available here.