Global furniture shipments to the U.S. (HS Code 94) are entering a period of heightened uncertainty. After a strong rebound in 2024, booking patterns in 2025 reveal clear signs of front-loading as the U.S. government launches a Section 232 investigation into furniture imports. The review, announced by President Trump in August, is intended to determine whether tariffs should be applied on national security grounds. With furniture imports valued at more than $25 billion in 2024—driven largely by China and Vietnam—the stakes are high for suppliers and buyers alike. As data from 2025 shows, China, Vietnam, and Malaysia are responding differently to this shifting environment, underscoring how tariff risk is reshaping sourcing strategies and accelerating the move toward a more diversified supply base.

Global furniture shipments surge in 2025 ahead of tariff uncertainty

*Interactive: Scroll or hover to see weekly TEU volumes for each year

The 2025 data reveals a sharp front-loading of furniture shipments to the U.S. as importers raced to move product ahead of potential tariffs. Weekly bookings peaked above 72K TEUs in May, the highest level in three years, reflecting urgency to secure inventory before trade costs rise. By mid-year, however, volumes trended downward into the low 40K range, suggesting that tariff uncertainty has begun to dampen demand. In contrast, 2024 showed steady recovery momentum after the lows of 2023, highlighting how the tariff investigation has reshaped the trajectory of the furniture trade in 2025.

China furniture shipments to the U.S. spike in 2025 before tariff pressures slow demand

*Interactive: Scroll or hover to see weekly TEU volumes for each year

China remains the single largest source of U.S. furniture imports, but 2025 trends highlight growing volatility under tariff risk. Early-year shipments mirrored 2024 levels with strong bookings of about 22K to 24K TEUs per week through Q1. By late spring importers heavily front-loaded volumes, pushing weekly bookings above 44K TEUs in May, which was more than double typical levels. This surge aligned with mounting tariff concerns tied to the August 2025 investigation. After that peak volumes fell back into the 19K to 23K TEU range, signaling a slowdown as buyers grew cautious about future costs. Compared with the steady recovery in 2024 and the weak baseline of 2023, the 2025 pattern illustrates how tariff uncertainty is reshaping China’s furniture trade with the U.S.

Vietnam furniture shipments to the U.S. steady in 2025 despite tariff uncertainty

*Interactive: Scroll or hover to see weekly TEU volumes for each year

Vietnam has become the second largest supplier of U.S. furniture imports, and its 2025 booking trends show relative resilience compared with China. Early in the year, shipments averaged 10K to 12K TEUs per week, maintaining parity with 2024 levels. A sharp spike came in late spring, with weekly bookings topping 20K TEUs in May, as importers pulled forward volumes ahead of potential tariffs. Unlike China, Vietnam’s shipments did not collapse after the surge but instead stabilized in the 12K to 15K TEU range, suggesting sustained demand and a potential shift of sourcing as buyers hedge against tariff risk on Chinese goods. The data underscores Vietnam’s growing role as a reliable alternative origin in the face of policy-driven volatility.

Malaysia furniture shipments to the U.S. dip in 2025 as tariff risks weigh on volumes

*Interactive: Scroll or hover to see weekly TEU volumes for each year

Malaysia’s role in U.S. furniture sourcing is smaller than China or Vietnam, but its trends still reflect tariff-related caution in 2025. After a strong 2024, when shipments often exceeded 2,000 TEUs per week, volumes this year have slipped closer to the 1,200 to 1,700 TEU range. A brief uptick in May mirrored the broader front-loading seen across other origins, but levels quickly cooled, and by mid-year weekly bookings hovered near 1,300 TEUs. Compared with the consistent growth seen through 2024, the 2025 slowdown suggests that buyers are pausing Malaysian orders as they prioritize larger sourcing bases and wait for clarity on tariff outcomes.

Top Suppliers at a Glance: What Comes Next

Tariff pressures in 2025 are not only shaping current shipment volumes but also setting the stage for future sourcing strategies.

1. China remains the dominant supplier, yet its sharp mid-year drop exposes how vulnerable it is if new tariffs take hold. Importers may continue to rely on China in the short term, but long-term dependence looks increasingly risky.
2. Vietnam has shown stability where China faltered, which positions it to capture more U.S. market share if diversification accelerates. If tariffs are imposed, Vietnam could emerge as the clear winner in 2026.
3. Malaysia is still a minor player, but even modest growth signals how buyers are exploring backup origins. If uncertainty drags on, smaller suppliers like Malaysia may see incremental gains as importers spread risk.
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Together these trends suggest the U.S. furniture trade is moving toward a multi-origin strategy, where reliance on a single dominant supplier gives way to a more diversified network. Broader outlooks on trade policy also suggest the U.S. may pursue additional tariff actions across multiple sectors, adding another layer of uncertainty for importers heading into 2026.

The trajectory of global furniture shipments to the U.S. (HS Code 94) shows how quickly trade flows can shift when policy uncertainty enters the picture. What began as a steady recovery in 2024 has turned into a volatile 2025 marked by front-loading, shifting supplier dynamics, and growing caution as tariff investigations unfold. Whether new duties are imposed or not, the data makes one trend clear: importers are preparing for a future where reliance on a single dominant source is no longer sustainable. A more diversified supplier base is emerging, and the choices made in the months ahead will shape the U.S. furniture trade well into 2026.

For a closer look at specific product categories, comparisons with other key trade partners, or tailored market insights, reach out to our team — we can help you translate shifting booking patterns into actionable sourcing and pricing strategies.

Get Ahead with Early Trade Intelligence

Vizion’s TradeView platform gives you live visibility into:

1. Booking trends by country, product type, HS code, or commodity
2. Changes by country or port
3. Shipment behavior by consignee, shipper, and logistics provider

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