By Los Angeles Customs Broker · Import & Customs Guides
Key takeaways
- Most furniture sits in HTS chapter 94, and most Chinese furniture carries Section 301 tariffs.
- Wooden bedroom furniture from China is under an antidumping order. Check before you buy.
- Wood products need a Lacey Act declaration, and composite wood must meet TSCA Title VI formaldehyde rules.
- Furniture fills a container by volume, not weight. Packing and loading plans decide your freight cost.
Classify it first
Furniture is mostly classified in chapter 94 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, split by material and use: wooden, metal, plastic, upholstered seats, bedroom, kitchen, and office. The exact code sets the base duty and decides whether extra duties apply, so confirm it before you agree a price.
The extra duties that catch furniture importers
- Section 301 tariffs apply to most furniture from China, on top of the normal duty rate.
- Wooden bedroom furniture from China is covered by a long-standing antidumping duty order, and the rate depends on the manufacturer.
- Additional tariffs on some furniture categories, such as upholstered seating and kitchen cabinets, have been added and changed several times since 2025.
- Rates move often. We check the current rate for your exact items before you order.
Rules for wood, finishes, and safety
- Lacey Act: wood and other plant-based products need a declaration naming the species and country of harvest.
- TSCA Title VI: composite wood such as MDF and particleboard must be certified and labeled for formaldehyde emissions.
- ISPM 15: wooden pallets and crates must be heat treated and stamped, or the shipment can be refused.
- Children's furniture falls under CPSC rules, and furniture sold in California must meet upholstery flammability labeling.
Packing and container loading
Furniture fills a container by volume long before it reaches the weight limit, so a 40 foot high cube is the usual choice. Flat-pack designs, knock-down legs, and nested items can cut your freight cost per piece sharply. Ask the factory for carton dimensions early and get a loading plan before production ends.
Damage is the other big cost. Corner protectors, foam, moisture-absorbing packs, and drop-tested cartons matter on a month-long ocean voyage. A pre-shipment inspection that checks packing as well as finish is worth it on a first order.
Freight options for furniture
Most furniture moves by sea freight, FCL for a full range or LCL for a few pieces or samples. For mixed orders from several factories, consolidating in China into one container is cheaper than several LCL shipments. Sea transit to Los Angeles and Long Beach is about 14 to 22 days port to port.
What changes when the goods land in Los Angeles
Los Angeles and Long Beach handle more China trade than any other US gateway. That means frequent sailings and competitive rates, but also congestion at peak season. Terminal free time is short, so the entry needs to be ready before the vessel is worked and the drayage booked in advance. Otherwise demurrage and per diem charges start adding up within days.
Where to start
If you are sourcing, begin with our sourcing agent in China and read how we clear furniture and home goods imports. If you want one delivered price, ask about DDP shipping.