What duties will I pay to import furniture?

You pay the ordinary HTS duty for the furniture’s classification and country of origin, plus any antidumping/countervailing duties that apply (notably on Chinese wooden bedroom furniture and wooden cabinets and vanities). Because rates change and AD/CVD rates are producer-specific, confirm the current numbers for your exact HTS code and supplier before ordering.

Does imported furniture have to meet U.S. safety standards?

Yes. Composite-wood furniture must meet EPA’s TSCA Title VI formaldehyde limits and be certified and labeled; upholstered furniture must meet the CPSC’s flammability standard (16 CFR Part 1640) and carry the compliance label. These obligations fall on the importer, not the foreign factory.

What is a Lacey Act declaration and do I need one for furniture?

The Lacey Act requires importers of many wood products — including furniture in HTS Chapter 94 — to file a declaration identifying the plant species (scientific name), value, quantity, and country of harvest. The list of covered products expanded under Phase VII starting December 2024, so confirm whether your specific item now requires a declaration.

Do I need a customs broker to import furniture?

You are not legally required to use one, but commercial furniture imports involve a formal entry, a customs bond, multi-agency requirements, and AD/CVD exposure. Most importers use a licensed customs broker, and a trade attorney for the classification and compliance strategy behind it. Importing furniture means satisfying CBP plus EPA, CPSC, and APHIS — and the liability sits with you, the importer of record. Reidel Law Firm prepares flat-fee Import/Export Compliance Memos that pin down your classification, duty exposure, and agency obligations, with direct access to the attorney handling your matter — get a flat-fee import/export compliance memo before you place the order.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW

How to Import Furniture: U.S. Rules & Duties

Schuyler 'Rocky' Reidel July 14, 2023 5 min read

To import furniture into the United States, you classify it under HTS Chapter 94 and pay the duty, clear it