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 (or updated) on March 12, 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 the start date for US tariffs has been delayed to April 2nd, there are two significant exemptions worth artists should know about in case US tariffs are eventually implemented:
- 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).
However, this could change since paintings, drawings, pastels, collages, mosaics and similar decorative plaques imported from the United States to Canada are included in the list of items Canada introduced in a first wave of 25% retaliatory tariffs on March 4th. 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.
You can read our brief on the impact that Canada’s tariffs could have on visual artists and the Canadian arts sector here. Additionally, the government has established a process for requesting remission of tariffs, which may be considered in situations where goods cannot be sourced domestically or in exceptional circumstances that could have severe adverse impacts on the Canadian economy.
2. Another type of exemption exists 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. Currently in the US, shipments valued under $800 USD are exempt from duties and tariffs. In Canada, it is much lower, and de minimis values may change as trade discussions between these two countries continue.
Importing art production materials from the US
In addition to Canada’s tariff on artworks imported from the US, the government also issued a notice of intent to implement a second round of tariffs that expands the list of artworks it would apply to, and the addition of numerous art supplies and other raw materials commonly used by artists in the production of art. If this second wave of tariffs moves ahead as proposed, we know this will cause concern for artists who rely on materials from other countries.
While we advocate for exemptions on art materials, we also offer our enduring support to Canadian manufacturers and retailers of art supplies. We encourage artists to make informed choices about their purchases, and to consider fluctuations in cost and availability of products when purchasing goods.
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. This page contains a list of Canadian art supply brands and retailers, and we assert that there has never been a better time to shop local.
Share your impact story
We hope this information was helpful for our community. Now we need your help. CARFAC advocates on behalf of visual artists in Canada, and we need to know what impact American and Canadian tariffs may have on your livelihood. Please fill in this short survey, and encourage other artists to do the same.
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 Service supports Canadian exporters through United States tariff challenges, and you can sign up for their mailing list for direct updates.
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.