How Tariffs Impact Hotel FF&E Logistics and Installation | Hospitality Guide | Beltmann Integrated Logistics

If you’ve imported hotel furniture over the last year, you’ve likely felt the ripple effects of the constantly-changing tariff environment. Just as we were preparing a comprehensive update for our clients, the headlines shifted again: the U.S. and China announced a new 90-day trade deal. Markets jumped and our draft went in the trash.

Sound familiar? For importers of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E), this is business as usual. Tariff fluctuations, reclassifications, and surprise duties have become part of the landscape.

But while the big picture remains uncertain, there are still key details that importers can control, and that’s where your hospitality logistics partner becomes invaluable.

Why Tariffs Matter When Importing Hotel Furniture

Whether you’re furnishing a boutique hotel or a full-scale resort, importing hospitality FF&E is a time-sensitive and budget-driven process. Tariffs can upend both.

As a logistics company that specializes in hotel FF&E installations, we’ve seen the impact firsthand:

• Unexpected duty hikes on wood case goods or upholstered seating
• Customs delays due to misclassified items
• Budget overruns due to last-minute tariff shifts

For hospitality projects working under strict timelines and phased installations, these aren’t minor issues, they’re make-or-break.

When Are Tariffs Paid (and Who Pays Them)?

One of the top questions from clients: When do we pay tariffs, and who’s responsible?

Here’s the short answer:

• Tariffs are typically paid after your goods arrive in the U.S.
• The importer of record, usually your company or your customs broker, is responsible for paying them before goods can be released.

This applies whether you’re importing headboards from Vietnam or seating from China. And unfortunately, tariff rates can and do change without much notice.

The Role of Harmonized Tariff Codes (HTCs) in Hotel Furniture Imports

Every product you import is assigned a Harmonized Tariff Code (HTC). These codes determine:

• The applicable duty rate
• Whether your product is subject to any additional tariffs (like Section 301 duties on Chinese goods)

The tricky part? Hotel furniture comes in all forms: solid wood, composite, metal frames, upholstered, and modular. Each variation can carry a different HTC and, therefore, a different duty rate.

For example:

• A wooden dresser might carry a different code (and rate) than a similar unit made with MDF.
• A fully upholstered sofa will be classified differently than a wood-frame bench.

Proper classification is key, and getting it wrong can result in delays, penalties, or unnecessary costs. That’s why our team works closely with customs brokers to help ensure accuracy.

Trade Stabilization? Not Quite Yet

The recent U.S.–China trade developments are promising, but they don’t mean the dust has settled. For hotel owners, developers, and procurement teams, that means you still need to:

• Build contingency into your budgets
• Partner with a hospitality logistics provider who monitors tariff changes
• Prepare for additional documentation or compliance steps

We’ve helped clients adjust mid-project when tariffs shifted suddenly, and we can help you build more resilience into your FF&E supply chain.

How We Support Hospitality Clients

Beltmann Integrated Logistics is more than freight movers, we’re problem solvers. Here’s how we help clients import hotel furniture:

• Coordinate with customs brokers to ensure accurate HTC classification
• Advise on tariff impact during the sourcing phase
• Monitor trade updates and flag potential risks to your shipment
• Handle white-glove delivery, FF&E installation, and project coordination from port to property

If we don’t have an answer on a specific customs issue, we have trusted partners who do. Your job is to deliver a seamless hotel experience; we help make that possible behind the scenes.

Stay Informed, Stay Agile

Tariffs might not be going away anytime soon but neither is your hotel’s grand opening. With the right logistics partner, you can navigate the unknowns, minimize delays, and keep your project on track.

Questions about your upcoming hotel furniture imports? We’re here to help you simplify the complex and get your FF&E where it needs to be, on time and on budget. For more information contact Beltmann Integrated Logistics today.