Trump Trade Tariffs and Antiques Buiness UK to USA

Key Points:

- Shipping to the US our goods will be sent as antique to exempt tariffs

- Canonbury Antiques will not be raising any prices

- We will work with all our clients to ensure goods get through tariff free

On April 2 2025, the US President Donald J. Trump announced a series of tariffs on countries the United States does business with around the world. For the United Kingdom the tariff announcement saw a 10% levy on goods imported from the UK into the United States - a much lower amount than many other countries.

Canonbury Antiques London UK
(The US is our second biggest market after the UK)

Shipping to the US since the 1960s

Since the inception of Canonbury Antiques in the 1960s the United States has always been a very important market for us - in fact, behind domestic UK sales, it is our second biggest territory. Many people like us in the antiques and arts trade were of course initially quite concerned over these tariff announcements and the potential impact it might have on business. On closer inspection it looks like there will be some work arounds for us that will enable us to continue to do business with our American customers.

Exporting As Antique - Tariff Free

For one thing we sell antiques which can be exempted from tariffs if age and origin can be stated at time of export. In an article last updated in May 2024, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection outlined antiques, specifically proven to be 100 years old or older, are classified under Chapter 9706 in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), which means they are “duty-free, provided the importer has proof of the goods age (i.e. the year of manufacture).”

Art Works and Photography Also Tariff Free

Hence we will work with our American customers to provide correct documentation to ensure no extra tariffs will be applicable. This has also informed our decision to not raise our prices to offset any particular extra costs incurred through tariffs.

There are also other exemptions from tariffs for artworks, photography and prints:

Certain informational materials may be exempt under 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b). The definition of informational materials generally includes, but is not limited to:

• Artworks classified under Chapter 97 of the HTS (e.g., paintings, prints, sculptures).

• Photography, prints, and books classified under Chapter 49 of the HTS.

Monitoring Situation and Working With Clients

Of course, with the current US administration, things are subject to daily changes as new deals are negotiated with countries and / or Donald Trump does a U turn to outside pressure as it's widely agreed tariffs and trade wars are bad for business and will cause a recession. Since the announcement on 'Liberation Day' stock markets around the world have tanked and the US Dollar has lost value. The cost of the tariffs will be passed on to the consumer as retailers will offset the tariffs by increasing prices of goods. It is essentially a tax on the consumer as many goods - particularly consumer durables, clothing and some food items - will go up in price. This will cause major economic problems as were already in a cost of living crisis. Hopefully sense will prevail and the tariffs will be reversed.