|
Report from
North America
Hardwood plywood imports rebound slightly
After three straight months of declines, US imports of
hardwood plywood rebounded in May, gaining 10% from
the previous month. However, at 179,177 cubic metres,
May imports were down by 45% versus what they were in
May of 2025.
A 58% rise in imports from Indonesia fueled much of the
gain for the month while imports from Vietnam rose 21%.
Imports from China continue to hit new lows, falling 26%
in May. Through the first five months of the year, imports
of hardwood plywood are down 35% versus 2025.
Sawn tropical hardwood imports fell 13% in May
US imports of sawn tropical hardwood fell 13% in May.
At 13,650 cubic metres, volume was down 29% from May
of last year. Imports from Malaysia fell 42% from the
previous month while imports from Brazil slid by 19%.
Imports from last year’s top-supplier Indonesia declined
by 22% for the month and are now down 66% from last
year through the first five months of the year.
Total US imports of sawn tropical hardwood up to May
were down 5% for the year so far versus 2025.
May imports rose in Canada, gaining 29% over the
previous month. Despite the gain, imports for the month
were still 27% lower than in May 2025. Through May,
Canada’s imports of sawn tropical hardwood are 20%
behind last year’s pace.
Veneer imports cool
Imports of tropical hardwood veneer cooled in May after
two months of very strong growth. Imports fell 19% from
the previous month but remained 3% higher than in May
2025. A 35% fall in imports from leading-supplier
Cameroon accounted for much of the slide, along with
lower import numbers from Italy (down 25%) and India
(down 48%).
Strong increases in imports from Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire
made up for much of the loss. Through May, US imports
of tropical hardwood veneer are up 16% over last year.
Hardwood flooring and flooring panel imports show
modest gains
Imports of hardwood flooring rose 3% in May, a modest
gain in what is usually a strong month for the sector. At
just over US$4.05 million, imports were 20% lower than
in May 2025. Big increases in imports from China,
Vietnam and Brazil were offset by a 45% monthly decline
in imports from former top-supplier Indonesia.
With an increase for the year so far of 239%, Malaysia has
become the chief US supplier of hardwood flooring in
2026, while imports from Indonesia are down 46% this
year. Total imports of hardwood flooring are down 22%
versus last year through the first five months of the year.
Imports of assembled flooring panels saw a slightly larger
bump, gaining 5% above April’s figures. May’s imports
were US$26.7 million, 19% higher than in May 2025. A
23% rise in imports from top-trader Canada was
responsible for nearly all the gain. For the year so far,
imports of assembled flooring panels are down 12%
versus last year.
Moulding imports weaken
May imports of hardwood mouldings fell 6% from the
previous month despite a strong rebound in imports from
China. Imports from China more than tripled in May,
reaching their highest level since October. But that gain
did not make up for losses in imports from Canada and
Brazil. Overall, imports of hardwood mouldings are down
16% versus 2025 through May.
Wooden furniture imports saw a healthy gain in May
US imports of wooden furniture rose by 8% in May as
imports from leading suppliers China and Vietnam both
increased by more than 20%. Despite the gain, at US$1.31
billion, monthly imports were 18% below that of the
previous May. Imports of wooden furniture are down 24%
versus last year through May with imports from all major
supplying countries down at least 10%.
Importers gain another path to tariff refunds
Importers have another opportunity to recover tariffs paid
under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
after US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expanded
the range of import entries eligible for its refund process.
Effective 29 June 29, CBP expanded its Consolidated
Administration and Processing of Entries, or CAPE,
refund process to cover an additional category of import
entries that previously could not be submitted through the
system. The change allows eligible importers and customs
brokers to pursue refunds on more shipments that were
assessed IEEPA tariffs. The latest update represents the
second phase of CBP‘s rollout of the CAPE system which
was established to process refunds after court rulings
invalidated the IEEPA tariffs.
See: https://www.furnituretoday.com/tariffs/importers-gain-
another-path-to-tariff-refunds/
|
