Understanding the latest floral tariffs — and what they mean for your shop.

Trade policy has shifted again, and this time it happened in a single week. Two developments now directly affect the cost of imported flowers and hard goods.

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  The flat 10% Section 122 tariff expired on July 23, 2026. This was the across-the-board duty that had been in place since February.
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  New Section 301 “forced labor” tariffs took effect on July 24, 2026, replacing it. These apply an additional 10% or 12.5% depending on the country, with certain products exempted.
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  On top of that, the administration has proposed a 50% tariff on many Canadian products (including fresh flowers, unrooted cuttings, orchids, foliage, and flower seeds), effective August 19. That one is not yet certain.

For most florists, the day-to-day change from the expired 10% duty is modest. But two shifts are worth attention: Colombia, the source of roughly 60% of America’s cut flowers, now sits in the higher 12.5% tier, and Canada’s tariff-free status is suddenly in question.

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What changed on July 24, 2026

The new duties come from Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, following USTR investigations into forced-labor practices across 60 trading partners. Countries that maintain (or have committed to) a forced-labor import ban land in the 10% tier; those that haven’t fall into the 12.5% tier. Many trade attorneys consider Section 301 a firmer legal footing than the tools used for earlier tariffs, so these may prove more durable. Importantly, product-specific exemptions can override a country’s tier. Fresh-cut flowers and greens from Ecuador, for example, are carved out of the new tariff even though Ecuador sits in a different tariff tier for other goods. So the rate that applies to your flowers depends on both the country of origin and the specific product.

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Products and countries affected

Effective July 24, 2026. The rate that applies depends on both country of origin and the specific product. A few important notes on how these apply: USMCA-qualifying goods from Canada and Mexico entered duty-free are fully exempt from the new Section 301 tariffs. USTR expanded its exemption list following public comment, so some specific products may not be covered — country of origin and product classification both matter. The Society of American Florists (SAF) has been advocating in Washington for flowers and unrooted cuttings to be exempted from these tariffs, arguing the duties raise costs across the floral supply chain without advancing the policy’s stated goals. It’s also worth remembering that during earlier tariff rounds, some importers, wholesalers, and vendors absorbed part of the added cost rather than passing it fully to retailers. As a result, if rates are later reduced, it’s not guaranteed that wholesale prices will drop to match. Pricing tends to be sticky, and adjustments vary by supplier depending on inventory, contracts, and market conditions.

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The proposed 50% tariff on Canadian flowers

This is the development to watch most closely if you source from Canada. What is it? A proposed 50% tariff on hundreds of Canadian products, including fresh flowers, unrooted cuttings, live orchid plants, ornamental foliage, and flower seeds. Is it certain? No. Many observers believe the announcement is primarily leverage in ongoing negotiations over the future of the USMCA. Those talks are already underway, and the tariff could be withdrawn, delayed, or modified before its proposed start date.

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What this means for your business

If you purchase floral products or hard goods from international suppliers, here’s the practical picture:

• • Roses and cut flowers from Colombia now carry the higher 12.5% duty — a modest increase over the expired 10%, but on the country that supplies the majority of U.S. flowers.

• • Ecuadorian flowers are exempt from the new tariff, reverting to the lower underlying MFN rate (~6.8% for roses), making Ecuador one of the more competitive sourcing options right now.

• • Dutch (EU) flowers are not exempt — the new 10% tariff applies to cut flowers.

• • Hard goods from China (vases, foam, ribbon) see the sharpest increase once the stacked duties are factored in (12.5% Section 301 + 7.5% pre-existing).

• • Canadian sourcing carries real uncertainty heading into August.

• • You may need to revisit your own pricing to protect margins as supplier costs shift.

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How to prepare

1. 1
   Review your supply chain

   • Ask your vendors about the country of origin for each product.
   • Don’t assume that buying from a U.S.-based distributor means the product was grown or manufactured domestically.
2. 2
   Explore lower-tariff and domestic alternatives

   • Mexico remains duty-free for USMCA-qualifying products — a stable option while Canada’s status is uncertain.
   • Consider U.S.-grown flowers and U.S.-made hard goods where available and seasonally practical.
3. 3
   Use technology to control costs

   • Track your recipe costs and margins automatically with BloomNation’s built-in tools, so you can see the impact of price changes in real time.
   • Optimize delivery routes to save on time and fuel.
   • Automate repetitive tasks with BloomNation’s AI Assistant to reduce labor costs and free up time for customers.