Tariffs and Our Craft Community: What They Mean for Makers and Buyers

This information is current as of September 2, 2026. The tariff situation between Canada and the US is changing quickly, so some details here may shift after publication; check the resources linked below for the latest.

US tariffs on Canadian goods have moved from a looming worry to a daily reality for many people in our community. What started as uncertainty in early 2025 has become something makers can now measure: lost sales, higher material costs, and hours swallowed up by paperwork.

Over the past year, the picture has shifted from anticipated harm to harm makers are living with: lost wholesale accounts, cancelled orders, and in some cases a complete end to US exports. The pressure isn't the same for everyone, but almost no one in the sector has been untouched.

The impacts don't fall in one place. They ripple through the whole community differently depending on where you sit, whether you sell to American clients, rely on US suppliers, or count on American customers finding your work. This post is a plain-language overview, not a complete guide; for the fuller picture, the Canadian Crafts Federation's Tariff Toolkit is the best place to go deeper on any of these situations. Here's a look at each of the three pressure points, starting with what makers exporting to the US are facing.

For Canadian makers selling to US clients

For those exporting to the US, the tariff itself is often not the biggest problem. The administrative load is. The removal of the US de minimis exemption, which used to let lower-value shipments cross duty-free, means makers now have to navigate customs declarations and certificates of origin for every shipment, regardless of value.

It's worth being clear-eyed about what CUSMA does and doesn't protect you from right now. Canada and the US are in an active tariff escalation: new US tariffs on a broad range of Canadian goods took effect August 19, 2026, and notably, they apply even to CUSMA-compliant goods. CUSMA rules of origin can still matter for other, older tariff measures, but they are not a shield against these newest ones. Makers exporting to the US should check whether their specific products (by HS/HTSUS code) are on the current tariff lists, since coverage varies widely by category, rather than assuming CUSMA compliance settles the question.

Makers describe this process as confusing, time-consuming, and costly. Some have stopped shipping to the US entirely, not because of the tariff itself, but because the paperwork isn't worth it for the volume they do. Others have absorbed new costs just to keep the channel open, hiring help to manage forms or watching once-reliable US income shrink.

If you're continuing to export, understanding your product's HS code and which tariff measures apply to it is the single most useful thing you can do to reduce surprise costs. A certified customs broker can help you get it right, and the CCF toolkit points to where to start.

For Canadian makers sourcing supplies from US vendors

Many Canadian makers depend on American suppliers for materials that simply aren't manufactured here at the same scale, or at all. Wool, glass, enamels, specialty components: for some disciplines, the US has long been the natural source.

Tariffs and tighter border rules have made that harder and more expensive. Makers report rising material prices, US suppliers who are unwilling to complete the customs paperwork required for goods entering Canada, and workarounds that eat into already thin margins, like having materials shipped to a depot near the border and driving across to collect them.

Some makers are shifting to Canadian or international suppliers where they can, but alternatives aren't always available, and the search itself costs time. If you're rethinking your supply chain, it's worth pricing out the full landed cost of imports and looking into whether a Canadian or non-US source can meet your needs, even if it means adapting your materials or process.

For Americans buying Canadian craft

A large share of our sector depends on American customers. When tariffs are applied to goods entering the US, that cost usually lands on the buyer at the border, often as a charge collected on delivery.

That has two effects: first, some American buyers are hesitating or walking away, unsure what they'll be charged when a package arrives. Second, and more frustrating, some buyers have blamed the maker for the added cost, when the tariff is actually being charged by their own government. Makers have found themselves managing not just the sale but the misunderstanding around it.

If you sell to American customers, transparency helps. Letting US buyers know up front that their order ships from Canada and may be subject to a duty on arrival prevents surprises and protects the relationship.

Resources and support

None of this is simple, and the rules keep shifting.

The Canadian Crafts Federation's Tariff Toolkit is the best single resource for makers working through these questions. It covers how tariffs work, how to determine whether your product qualifies for duty-free treatment under CUSMA, how to find a customs broker, and where to access government support programs for businesses and workers affected by tariffs.

If you're a Canadian maker exporting to the US (or elsewhere), it's worth checking the tariffs that apply to your specific products directly. The Canada Tariff Finder, built by BDC, EDC, and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, lets you search by HS code or keyword to see current tariff rates for your goods, including preferential rates under trade agreements like CUSMA. It was updated August 2026 to reflect the newest tariffs.

If your business has been affected

Several federal programs exist to support businesses and workers hit by tariffs. Details and eligibility vary, and the programs change, so treat these as starting points and confirm the current terms on each site:

- Regional Tariff Response Initiative — support delivered through Canada's regional development agencies. The specific funding pocket depends on your region, but these are generally grants rather than loans.

- Trade Commissioner Service — guidance on US tariffs and exporting, plus help connecting with customs brokers and trade support.

- Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) — financing and advisory support for businesses managing tariff pressures.

- Rapid Response Supports for Workers and Employers — a suite of federal measures including Employment Insurance flexibilities for affected workers and a Workforce Retention and Retraining Program to help employers keep and train staff through a difficult period.

- Strategic Response Fund — support aimed at larger industries and projects.

If you're not sure where to start, the CCF toolkit can help you figure out which supports fit your situation.

There is also an advocacy piece to all of this. The CCF has been writing to federal ministers and encouraging makers and organizations to write to their own MPs. Your MP is obligated to respond to constituents, and you can find yours by entering your postal code at ourcommons.ca. Sharing how tariffs have affected your practice, in your own words, is one of the most powerful things you can contribute.

Craft Ontario will keep sharing resources as the situation develops. If tariffs are affecting your work, we'd like to hear from you. Your experience helps us advocate on behalf of the whole sector. Contact Executive Director Robyn Wilcox at rwilcox@craftontario.com. 

Banner image: Studio of Craft Ontario member Karen Gunna.