Metal Furniture Tariffs: What the 25% Surtax Means for Canadian Buyers

Canada’s new surtax takes effect December 26—here’s how to navigate it

Just before the holidays, Ottawa made a move that will reshape how Canadians shop for furniture. Customs Notice 25-33, released December 24 by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), confirms that a 25% surtax now applies to steel-derivative furniture imported into Canada—from all countries, including the United States.
At Casa Mobilia, we believe your home should reflect your story without breaking your budget. So we want you to understand exactly what’s changing and how we’re responding.

What’s Affected

Upholstered Seating

HS Code: 9401.71
Metal frames now carry 25% surtax

Office Furniture

HS Code: 9403.10
Desks, chairs, filing cabinets included

Lighting Parts

HS Code: 9405.99
Components and fixtures affected

Furniture Hardware

HS Code: 8302.41
Hinges, handles, brackets

The critical detail: tariff classification determines cost, not product description. Even if your sofa qualifies for preferential treatment under CUSMA, if it falls under these HS codes, the 25% surtax applies.

Understanding the Fine Print

In-transit goods: Already shipping before December 26, 2025? Proper documentation exempts them from the surtax.
No double tariffs: If another steel surtax already applies, only the higher rate is charged.
The tax-on-tax effect: The 25% gets added to your value for GST/HST purposes, compounding the total cost.
Relief programs: Canada’s Duty Relief and Duty Drawback Programs may help recover surtax paid under specific conditions.

Real Impact on Real Homes

These aren’t abstract policy numbers. A $1,800 metal-frame dining set now carries $450 in additional surtax, plus extra sales tax on the inflated total. A $950 office chair? Add $238 before GST/HST.
For Canadians furnishing their homes in 2025, this creates genuine budget pressure.

Our Commitment at Casa Mobilia

We started Casa Mobilia because we believe beautiful, well-made furniture should be within reach. These tariffs challenge that mission, but they don’t change it.
Here’s what we’re doing:

Absorbing costs where possible to keep your final price reasonable
Exploring duty relief programs to reduce landed costs on eligible items
Diversifying our supply chain to find quality alternatives that minimize tariff exposure
Being transparent with you about which items carry surtax and why

Trade policy is beyond our control. But how we treat our customers—and how hard we work to protect your budget—isn’t.

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