What Canadian artists need to know about US tariffs

The economic impact of a trade war with the United States is a concern for all Canadian residents. This is certainly true for artists who rely on sales in the US market, as well as those who import substantial quantities of American goods to make art. When tariffs are imposed on either side of the border, the rising costs of the production and export of art puts artists in a vulnerable position. Staying on top of changes to export rules can be frustrating and stressful. With this in mind, we’ve compiled some resources to help you navigate this challenging environment. 

The following information was written in March and updated on September 18, 2025. Please note that things may change quickly, and we strongly recommend consulting a customs broker and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for the most up-to-date and accurate information on current regulations.

• What is a tariff and how is it collected?

  A tariff is a tax charged by a government on goods imported from another country. The amount charged is usually a percentage of the value of the product. In most cases, sellers of goods do not collect tariffs nor do they include those costs in their sales price. Instead, buyers typically pay tariffs during the delivery process, and it is usually in addition to other shipping and handling expenses, which may not always be clear at the time of purchase. 

• Exporting artworks to the US

  On March 3, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued bulletin # 64297449, which stated that Canadian goods entering the United States would be subject to a 25% tariff, or 10% in the case of energy imports. 

  Although much has changed since March there is one significant exemption artists should know about in case US tariffs are eventually implemented:

  1. Under the Exclusion section of the bulletin, the following products are excluded from the proposed tariffs:

  9903.01.12:  Articles the product of Canada that are informational materials, including but not limited to, publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, and news wire feeds.

  This indicates there are no stated plans for the US to introduce tariffs on Canadian artworks entering the US. This is good news, and this policy complies with the exemptions made for the cultural industries in the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

  Paintings, drawings, pastels, collages, mosaics and similar decorative plaques imported from the United States to Canada were included in the list of items Canada introduced in a first wave of 25% retaliatory tariffs on March 4th. The list of counter tariffs has been reduced as of September 1st, and artworks are no longer on the list. 

  
  CARFAC challenges the inclusion of artworks on any tariff list as long as Americans continue to adhere to the exemption for Canadian artworks. A unilateral Canadian tariff puts Canadian artists and galleries at risk of facing retaliatory tariffs from the US, which would not only devastate our art market but also put the culture sector in a weak bargaining position in the next CUSMA negotiation. In the event that the US changes policy and imposes a tariff on artworks, it is recommended that artists in Canada make it clear to US buyers that their order may be subject to tariffs, which may be applied by a third party after shipping.

  Previously, there was another type of exemption that visual artists should know about: the de minimis exemption. De minimis is a legal term meaning “too small to be considered”, and it is an exemption that allows the import of goods without incurring duties or tariffs, if the shipment falls under a certain value. That value varies from country to country.

  According to BDO Canada, starting August 29, 2025, all commercial shipments into the U.S., regardless of value, will be subject to duties and full customs clearance procedures. The de minimis exemption, which has allowed duty-free treatment of shipments under USD $800 since 2016, is being withdrawn in another major policy shift with direct cost and operational consequences for some Canadian exporters. Commercial goods entering the U.S., even if under the USD $800 threshold, will require a formal entry and payment of all applicable duties and tariffs.  The Government of Canada provides updated information about the de minimis exception here. Etsy also provides helpful guidance on this matter.

• Canadian Brands and Art Suppliers

  It is worth noting that some art supply stores are already promoting their Canadian-made supplies on their websites, and more will likely follow as this situation unfolds. That said, we encourage artists to check product labels and conduct online research to determine where products are made and/or where they are imported from.
  

  Below you will find a list of Canadian art supply brands. Check product labels! Some brands are fully manufactured and sold in Canada, while others may also sell products manufactured in the US or overseas.

  Beam Paints 

  Canvas Connection 

  Canwide Paper Products

  Dacryl (DeSerres) house brand

  De Mairo pigments

  Demco

  EcoHouse Inc 

  Ecojot 

  Ecopoxy

  FC Art/Nobel Arts 

  Gotrick/Apollon 

  Gwartzman’s house brand

  Heinz Jordan 

  Kama Pigments 

  Kroma Acrylics

  Nerpa Polymers 

  Nitram Charcoal

  North American Paper

  Opus Studio Essentials house brand

  Papeterie St Armand 

  Plainsman Clays 

  Pottery Supply House 

  Prism Studio 

  Rheotech 

  Stoneground Paints 

  Tri Art 

  Wallack’s house brand

  Willow Wolf 

  Written Word 

  Products stocked in Canada that are produced overseas:

  Derwent - Canadian Import from UK

  Faber Castell - Canadian Import from Germany

  Holbein - Canadian Import from Japan

  Rosa Oils – Canadian Import from Ukraine

  Canadian Retailers of Art Supplies:

  Check product labels! While these companies are Canadian, some of the products they sell may be manufactured in the US or overseas.

  Above Ground Art Supplies

  Artists Emporium

  Curry’s

  Delta Art and Drafting

  DeSerres

  Gwartzman’s Art Supplies

  Japanese Paper Place 

  Opus Art Supplies

  Sculpture Supply Canada

  The Art Shack

  The Gilded Rabbit 

  The Paper Place 

  Wallack’s Art Supplies and Framing

  Wyndham Art Supplies

• Further resources:

  For the latest information on Canada-U.S. relations, visit Canada’s engagement with the United States, and for more detailed information on what Canada is doing, visit Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. 

  Additionally, the Trade Commissioner Servicesupports Canadian exporters through United States tariff challenges.

  Many artists work at the intersection of fine art and fine craft. The Canadian Crafts Federation has shared new resources and toolkits to help Canadian craftspeople navigate recent tariff uncertainty.

  For further information about tariff and duty information, visit Canadian Tariff Rules and Regulations and Tools, regulations, and tariffs specific to the Creative Industries.