The trade environment for home furnishings retailers has rarely been more complex or more consequential. For many businesses, tariffs are no longer just a line item on an invoice. They are a core operational variable that touches sourcing strategy, pricing decisions, and margin performance. Yet many retailers, particularly smaller and
Global trade policy continues to shift rapidly, and for home furnishings retailers, those changes can have immediate consequences for costs, cash flow, and supply chain planning. From the rollout of IEEPA duty refunds to the possibility of new tariffs under Sections 232 and 301, importers are navigating a complex and
There is an important update for home furnishings retailers and other importers affected by IEEPA tariffs: the refund process is now being handled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). For HFA members, the key point is this: CBP has begun Phase 1 of a multi-phase refund process. While this
Effective April 6, 2026, the Trump Administration has modified the existing Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper products through a new Administrative Proclamation. While the updated policy may simplify compliance in some cases, it could also significantly increase costs for many importers, including businesses across the home furnishings
A recent court order could make it easier for importers to recover certain IEEPA tariff payments. On March 27, 2026, the U.S. Court of International Trade expanded an earlier order and said refunds should apply not only to unliquidated entries, but also to some liquidated and even finally liquidated entries.
Home furnishings retailers should be paying close attention to a major new trade development out of Washington. On March 11, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) launched new Section 301 investigations into structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors across 16 economies: China, the European Union, Singapore,
Recent developments regarding tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) have raised important questions for home furnishings retailers, particularly those who purchased goods from importers that passed the tariff costs along as invoice “tariff fees.” While the legal and administrative process is still evolving, there are several
Earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled (6–3) that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant the President authority to impose tariffs. As a result, tariffs implemented under IEEPA, primarily country-specific reciprocal tariffs, have been declared unconstitutional and are now void. This is a significant development for
The trade and tariff landscape remains fluid, with several developments—and non-developments worth monitoring. While there haven’t been many substantial changes since our last update, we want to ensure you remain informed about issues that could impact your business. Even periods of uncertainty or inaction can have real implications for planning
Access to credit plays a crucial role in the home furnishings retail industry, empowering millions of American families to make important investments in their homes. As the leading voice for home furnishings retailers, the Home Furnishings Association (HFA) is raising strong concerns about a proposed federal policy that would cap
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MEMBER-ONLY DISCUSSION: Technology Connect with fellow HFA member retailers to exchange insights, challenges, and successes in using technology and AI
