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.

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

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