An Overview of the 2025 Tariffs

(Last update: September 9, 2025)
**Given the fluid nature of these tariff impositions, ABA will continue to update this page as necessary.

Update September 9, 2025: Effective September 8, coffee and cocoa will be exempted from existing US tariffs, per an executive order signed by President Trump. The order notes that the US recognizes that some products cannot be produced or source domestically in sufficient numbers, according to reports. The order also includes tea, including green and black tea, as well as spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, cloves, nutmeg and pepper.

Update August 29, 2025: On August 29, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that the President cannot unilaterally impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), affirming that such power is reserved for Congress. The majority opinion emphasized that IEEPA does not authorize tariffs, which are a form of taxation and thus a congressional power. This decision strikes down tariffs imposed by President Trump earlier this year on goods from various countries, which were enacted by declaring national emergencies tied to drug trafficking and trade imbalances. While the court upheld the invalidation of the tariffs, it vacated a universal permanent injunction and temporarily kept the tariffs in place until October 14. It is expected the Trump administration will appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court.

Update August 13, 2025: The tariff landscape continues to change as the White Announced new tariffs last week. Among the key announcements: Effective August 29, 2025, the US is suspending the de minimis exemption for low-value commercial imports, which means shipments valued at $800 or less will generally no longer be exempt from duties and formal entry requirements; As of August 1, 2025, the US raised the tariff rate for Canadian imports not covered by USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement) from 25% to 35%; imports from Brazil became subject to an additional 40% tariff on August 6, 2025, bringing the total tariff to 50% (on top of the 10% reciprocal rate); on August 6, 2025, President Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, raising the total tariff rate to 50% by August 27; and the US and China extended a tariff truce for another 90 days, pushing trade negotiations to the fall. During this period, the US tariff on Chinese goods remains at 30% (down from 145%), while China's tariff on US goods is 10% (down from 125%).

Update July 30, 2025: The U.S. and European Union struck a trade deal on Sunday, July 27, resulting in a 15% baseline tariff on most EU goods, as reported by Reuters. In addition, the White House announced that it would impose a 25 percent tariff on India beginning August 1. In the past few weeks, the US has made trade deals with Indonesia, Japan, the UK, and Vietnam (see details at the bottom of this page). Whether these deals will exempt book production is still unclear, though the administration is expected to release more information to address all the recent deals that have been made in the coming days.

Update June 11, 2025: According to media reports, the U.S. and China were close to reaching a trade agreement that will keep tariffs on Chinese imports at 55%. The 55% reflects the 30% tariffs the Trump Administration added this year, in addition to pre-existing duties totaling 25%. The 7.5% 301 tariffs remain in place for books not currently exempt under the China tariffs imposed in 2018. Books exempted under the 2018 tariffs remain exempt. 

Update May 12, 2025: The U.S. and China reached an agreement to reduce tariffs for at least 90 days. The tariffs on Chinese products will drop from a minimum of 145% to a baseline of 30%. Chinese tariffs on American goods will drop from a minimum of 125% to 10%. 

Update April 11, 2025: On Wednesday, April 9, the Trump administration announced that they would be pausing tariffs on most countries, but increase tariffs on goods from China to 125%, according to media reports. 

Books Are Exempt

Because the Trump tariffs were imposed under the IEEPA, “informational materials,” which includes books, are exempt. So there will be no additional tariffs on books sourced from any country, other than those which already existed. 

Moreover, as of the current date, goods from Canada and Mexico that are compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are not currently subject to the new reciprocal tariffs. As such, paper that is wholly grown, produced, or manufactured in Canada, Mexico, or the US is USMCA compliant and not subject to new reciprocal tariffs.

There were already tariffs on some types of books coming from China — and those still remain in place. (See China below.)

Production Costs Could Increase Domestic Book Prices

It is likely that tariffs will increase the price of books and shipping, mainly because of how they could impact the cost of producing books (imported paper and ink except Canada and Mexico if USMCA-compliant) and possible increases in fuel prices. Much will depend on how publishers and suppliers respond to the tariffs — where they source paper and ink and other items to produce books. That said, even small input cost increases might nudge book prices up 5%-10%. Inflation from broader tariff impacts could amplify this; and some economists project tariffs could cost the average household $3,800 per year according to an analysis by Yale University, and will impact low-income households the hardest. This, of course, would likely shrink consumer spending on books.

Tariffs by Country: Existing and New 

Two executive orders imposed tariffs, both citing IEEPA (and thus excluding books). The first implemented tariffs in February, which remained when reciprocal tariffs were added on April 2. Depending on where they are produced and imported from, some goods that are not exempted from the tariffs, like sidelines and other non-book merchandise, may see the impact of both sets of tariffs, leading to significant markups. As noted above, however, Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs from most countries, instead implementing a universal 10% tariff on most countries other than China, which now has a tariff of 125%.

• Canada and Mexico: The February tariffs remain in effect and are unaffected by the April 2 reciprocal tariff order. This means that the specific exception for information and informational materials, including books, continues to apply for imports of these goods from these three countries.

• Books from All Other Countries: On July 27, the U.S. made a trade deal with the EU. Under the agreement, the U.S. is imposing a baseline 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the U.S. As for other countries, under the April 2 reciprocal tariff, which is again was imposed under IEEPA, books from all other countries are excepted from the new reciprocal tariffs. (see recent trade deals in specific countries below).

• Canada and Mexico Special Treatment: Goods from Canada and Mexico are not currently subject to the reciprocal tariffs. Instead, only the February tariffs apply. Accordingly, USMCA-compliant goods (goods that are wholly grown, produced or manufactured in Mexico or Canada) will continue to see a 0% tariff, while under the pause order, it is assumed that non-USMCA compliant goods will see a 10% tariff (25% if and when the pause is lifted), and non-USMCA compliant energy and potash will see a 10% tariff.
  
  If Trump removes the pause order, it is important to note the following: Additionally, Canada and Mexico are not among the fifty-seven target countries listed in Annex I to be subject to individualized reciprocal tariff rates. In the event the February tariffs (and the pause is lifted) for Canada and Mexico are terminated, USMCA-compliant goods would continue to receive preferential treatment (i.e., not subject to the April 2 reciprocal tariffs), while non-USMCA compliant goods would be subject to a 12% reciprocal tariff. However, because the reciprocal tariffs were imposed under the IEEPA, the 12% reciprocal tariff would not apply to books or other informational materials.

• China Only: On June 11, 2025, the U.S. announced that they had agreed to a trade deal that will keep the baseline tariff for Chinese goods at the current 30 percent. This does not include previous tariffs of up to 25 percent on Chinese goods, meaning the 30 percent baseline would be in addition to the 7.5% Section 301 tariffs imposed in 2018 for non-book products. However, since the 30 percent baseline was imposed under IEEPA, so the new baseline will not impact books, meaning only the 7.5% tariffs apply to books not exempted under the tariffs imposed in 2018. Simple put: The 7.5% tariff from 2018 remains in place. (In other words, there are tariffs on books except for excepted Bibles and other religious books, and the suspended tariffs on children’s picture, drawing, or coloring books. These were previously exempted.) The new tariffs, however, will apply to non-book products. The percentage of tariffs will depend on the product category. As part of the June 11 trade agreement, China has lowered its tariffs to 10 percent on U.S. goods coming into China. 

• Baseline Tariff: Excepting the EU, Britain, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam, a 10% minimum or baseline tariff is imposed on all imported articles from all countries. This went into effect on April 5. This baseline remains in effect based on media reports as a universal tariff under the pause order. 

• Reciprocal Tariffs: If and when the pause order is lifted, the baseline tariff shall initially apply but will subsequently be increased to new individualized (or country specific) reciprocal tariff rates that will be charged on imports from the fifty-seven target trading partner countries listed in Annex-I of the EO, with which the US reportedly has the “largest trade deficits.”

• Cumulative Nature of Tariffs: The reciprocal tariffs are on top of other applicable tariffs, such as the Section 301 China tariffs and other existing customs duties.

• Exemptions: Certain goods (see Annex-II) will not be subject to the reciprocal tariffs. 

Impacts on Publishing and Bookstores

• Paper, Pulp, and Ink: These items do not qualify for the IEEPA exception, but the actual tariff rate will vary depending on the country of origin. There is the 10% baseline tariff for all countries, but as noted before, there is special treatment for those items if they come from Canada and Mexico and are USMCA-compliant. Existing Section 301 tariffs from China also apply.

• Increased Shipping Costs: While experts don’t expect dramatic fuel increases, it is possible they will spike if the tariffs spark inflation or an escalation of trade wars.

• Rising Costs for Paper and Printing Materials: Paper imported from countries like China (up to 55% tariff) and the EU (now 10%, but would be a 20% tariff if and when the pause order is lifted) will see cost increases.  

• Increased Book Production Costs: The 30%-55% tariff on Chinese imports will almost certainly increase production costs for books. Domestic printing in the US is more expensive due to labor and facility costs.

• Impact on International Sales: US publishers exporting books may face retaliatory tariffs from other countries, such as China and the EU, potentially reducing export revenue.

• Small Publishers Hit Hardest: Small publishers, reliant on imported materials or overseas printing, may struggle to absorb increased costs compared to larger publishers.

Coffee

Sidelines

Sidelines from Canada and Mexico that comply with the USMCA agreement face a 0% tariff under existing orders. Non-compliant items from these countries have a 10% baseline tariff (which would be a 25% tariff if the pause is lifted), and potential future tariffs could increase costs slightly.

Sidelines from other countries, particularly those from China and any nation with higher not included in the universal 10% rate, will be more significantly impacted. These tariffs could range from 10% to 125% (e.g., the new China tariff), leading to price increases for items like toys and gifts. These tariffs could reduce profit margins for bookstores or force them to increase prices, potentially affecting sales.

Shopping Bags

For shopping bags from Canada and Mexico, USMCA-compliant bags face a 0% tariff under the existing fentanyl/migration IEEPA orders. Canada’s a big player in paper bags, exporting kraft paper and finished bags that often meet USMCA rules of origin (e.g., North American pulp and production). Mexico supplies some plastic and reusable bags, also largely USMCA-compliant. Non-compliant bags from these countries look to face the universal 10% tariff (formerly a 25% tariff), but most bags (paper especially) qualify for the 0% rate.

For shopping bags from other countries, the reciprocal tariffs kick in. Shopping bags from China face at least a minimal additional 125% tariff on top of existing duties, according to media reports, with rates up to 25%-50% for 57 nations (e.g., Vietnam at 46%). Raw materials like plastic resin or cotton from tariffed countries could also nudge prices up indirectly.

Impact on Exports/International Shipping

Many countries have imposed retaliatory tariffs on US goods, including books, in response to Trump’s tariffs. These retaliatory tariffs could increase costs and potentially reduce demand. In addition, shipping costs may increase due to trade disruptions.

Tariff deals by country:

• Australia and Singapore: There are no tariffs on US books due to an existing Free Trade Agreement, though it is possible they may retaliate against Trump’s new tariffs.

• Canada: 25% on US goods, though books are currently excluded.

• European Union: The US has imposed a baseline tariff of 15 percent on EU goods being imported into the U.S. 

• Indonesia: The US-Indonesia trade deal, announced on July 15, 2025, imposes a 19% tariff on Indonesian goods entering the US, reduced from a threatened 32%.

• Japan: The US-Japan trade deal, finalized on July 8, 2025, and implemented through US executive orders, imposes a 10% tariff on most Japanese goods entering the US, reduced from a threatened 30%.

• Vietnam: The US-Vietnam trade deal, announced on July 2, 2025, imposes a 20% tariff on most Vietnamese exports to the US and a 40% tariff on goods transshipped through Vietnam from third countries, notably targeting Chinese goods.

• UK: Per the agreement reached in May 2025, there is a 10% baseline tariff on UK goods being imported into the U.S.

What Happens to Items Ordered Before the Tariffs Were Imposed?

Tariffs are imposed on goods based on when those items enter the US, not when they are ordered. It is not yet clear when the new tariff rate will apply to goods entering the country from China. Under the early April tariffs, goods loaded and in transit before April 5, 2025, and arriving by May 27, 2025, are exempt from the new reciprocal tariffs. Goods that arrive after May 27, 2025, will likely face the new tariffs, even if ordered prior to April 5.