What's the Tariff on Ceramic Tile?
Floor and wall tiles from China, Italy, Spain, Mexico.
Current Tariff Rate
35%
Pre-2025 Rate
8.5%
Rate Increase
+26.5pp
Price Impact
+35%
+$88
Real-World Price Impact
Before Tariffs
$250
100 sq ft tile
After Tariffs
$338
100 sq ft tile
That's $88 more per unit — a 35% price increase paid by the American buyer.
Note: Price estimates assume full tariff pass-through to consumers. Actual retail prices may vary — manufacturers may absorb some costs, shift production, or adjust margins.
The Story Behind This Tariff
Ceramic tile tariffs expose a decades-long anti-dumping battle between US manufacturers and Chinese producers. China's tile industry, centered in Foshan, Guangdong, produces more ceramic tile than the rest of the world combined. Chinese tile imports already faced anti-dumping duties of 100-400% on many producers since 2019, but transshipment through Vietnam, Indonesia, and India allowed continued market access at lower rates. The 35% IEEPA tariff adds another layer, though its marginal impact varies — some Chinese tile was already effectively blocked by astronomical AD rates. Italy and Spain remain premium alternatives, commanding higher prices for design-forward porcelain. Mexico's growing tile industry (Vitromex, Interceramic) benefits significantly from the tariff environment. The US tile industry, led by Dal-Tile (Mohawk) and Florida Tile, covers about 30% of domestic demand, primarily in commodity grades.
📦 Supply Chain
Primary Origin
CN
Made in USA
30%
Import Volume
$2.8B
Alternatives
Italy, Spain (premium), Mexico, India
📅 Tariff Timeline
2019
Anti-dumping duties on Chinese ceramic tile
104-400%2020
AD investigation expanded to Vietnamese tile
Varies2025
IEEPA blanket tariff on top of existing duties
35%👥 Consumer Impact
Households Affected
25M
Annual Cost Per Household
$95
💡 Did You Know?
- •Foshan, China produces 60% of the world's ceramic tile — a single city outcounts entire continents
- •Anti-dumping duties on some Chinese tile producers exceed 400%, making the 35% IEEPA tariff relatively minor by comparison
- •Italian tile commands a 300% price premium over Chinese equivalents, yet Italy is the #2 source for US imports
Tariff Details
- HTS Code
- 6907.21
- Current Rate
- 35%
- Pre-2025 Rate
- 8.5%
- Tariff Type
- IEEPA
Legal Authority
IEEPA Executive Order (April 2, 2025)
Effective: April 2, 2025
"Liberation Day" — broad tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
The tariff on Ceramic Tile is paid by the American importer at the port of entry and passed through to consumers as higher retail prices. The foreign manufacturer does not pay the tariff.
Who Actually Pays This Tariff?
Despite claims that tariffs are paid by foreign countries, the 35% tariff on Ceramic Tile is paid by American importers — US companies that purchase these goods from abroad. The cost is then passed to American consumers through higher retail prices.
- ✓ The foreign seller receives the same price as before
- ✓ The US importer pays 35% of the customs value to CBP
- ✓ The retailer marks up the higher landed cost
- ✓ You pay more at the register: $250 → $338
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