Furniture from South Korea — KORUS 0% Duty (2026)

USTradeStack

Effective Duty Rate

0% KORUS FTA

Estimate — verify by HTS code

Compliance Risk

Low

Relative to other import corridors

Regulatory Agencies

CPSC, USDA/APHIS, EPA/TSCA

Primary oversight bodies

OVERVIEW

Importing Furniture, Home Goods & Wood Products from South Korea

Importing furniture from South Korea into the United States carries low compliance risk, with an effective duty rate of 0% KORUS FTA. A Section 232 Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangement applies: steel and aluminum products within quota limits may enter at reduced or zero Section 232 duty, while above-quota imports face the full 25% surcharge.

Furniture imported from South Korea to the United States is subject to CBP entry requirements, applicable HTS-based duty rates, and agency compliance clearances. This guide covers the complete import process for 2026.

⚠ Key Trade Intelligence — South Korea Origin

KORUS FTA provides zero-duty access for Korean furniture. South Korea produces office furniture, storage systems, and ergonomic seating for the US market. Samsonite and major Korean brands use South Korean manufacturing.

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SAMPLE LANDED COST — $50,000 SHIPMENT

Estimated Landed Cost: Furniture from South Korea

Based on a representative $50,000 CIF shipment value. Actual costs vary by HTS code, entry type, and port of entry.

Cost Component	Amount	Notes
Cargo Value (CIF)	$50,000.00	Reference shipment value
MFN Base Duty (0.0%)	$0.00	KORUS preferential / ITA zero-rate
Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%)	$173.20	Min $31.67 / max $614.35
Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%)	$62.50	Ocean freight only
Total Duties & Fees	$235.70	Effective rate: 0.5%
Estimated Landed Cost	$50,235.70	Cargo + all US duties/fees

⚠ Section 232 tariffs (25% steel / 10% aluminum) may apply to furniture sub-categories with significant steel or aluminum content. Not included above — verify by specific HTS code.

✓ KORUS preferential rates reduce base duty to 0% for qualifying goods. MPF and HMF still apply on all entries.

Excludes freight, insurance, broker fees, warehousing, and AD/CVD duties. Use the Duty Calculator for a precise estimate on your specific shipment.

APPLICABLE HTS CODES

HTS Codes for Furniture Imports

The following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes typically apply to furniture imports. Exact classification depends on the specific product — misclassification is one of the most common CBP compliance errors.

HTS Code	Product Description	MFN Base Duty Rate
9401	Seats — Chairs, Sofas, Office Seating	0%–3.7% MFN
9403	Other Furniture — Tables, Desks, Storage	0% MFN (most wood/metal furniture)
9404	Mattresses & Bedroom Textiles	3%–6% MFN
4418	Engineered Wood (flooring, panels, doors)	3.2%–8% MFN
9403.10–9403.20	Office & Metal Furniture	0% MFN

MFN rates reflect base tariff. Additional duties (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD) may apply on top of MFN rates. Use the AI classifier to get the exact 10-digit HTS code and all applicable rates for your specific product.

DUTY STACK — SOUTH KOREA ORIGIN

Total Tariff Cost for South Korea-Origin Furniture

Duty Layer	Rate / Status	Applies To
MFN Base Rate	Varies by HTS code	All South Korea-origin goods (baseline)
KORUS Preferential Rate	Reduced / 0% (qualifying goods)	Goods meeting KORUS rules of origin
Section 301	Not applicable	South Korea-origin goods are not subject to Section 301
Section 232 TRQ	0% within quota; 25%/10% above	Steel/aluminum within agreed quota volumes

Precise Duty Calculation

Get Your Exact Total Duty Rate

Our calculator handles all duty layers — MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 + FTA rates — for any HTS code from any origin country.

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COMPLIANCE — CPSC / USDA/APHIS / EPA/TSCA

US Compliance Requirements for Furniture Imports

Regardless of origin country, furniture imports must satisfy the following US regulatory requirements before or at the time of CBP entry filing:

TSCA Title VI (40 CFR Part 770): formaldehyde emission limits for composite wood products (particleboard, MDF, plywood) — EPA TPC certification required
Lacey Act: Plant and Plant Product Declaration (USDA PPQ Form 505) required for all wood-containing furniture — must list wood species and country of harvest
CPSC furniture safety standards including ASTM F2057 for clothing storage furniture (tip-over prevention) and CPSC bunk bed regulations
California CARB Phase 2 formaldehyde standards required for furniture sold in California markets

Compliance Check Tool

Run an automated compliance check for your furniture import — identifies all applicable agency requirements, flagging issues before your shipment departs South Korea.

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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Documentation Checklist for Furniture from South Korea

Prepare all documents before the shipment departs South Korea. Missing or incorrect documents are the #1 cause of CBP holds and customs delays.

1

Commercial Invoice

2

Packing List

3

Bill of Lading

4

Lacey Act Plant & Plant Product Declaration (USDA PPQ Form 505) — mandatory for all wood furniture

5

TSCA Title VI Formaldehyde Certification from EPA-accredited Third-Party Certifier

6

CPSC Compliance Certificates and supporting test reports

Document Generator

Generate Your Document Checklist

Get a customized document checklist based on your specific HTS code, origin country, and product category.

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ESTIMATED TIMELINE

Import Timeline — Furniture from South Korea

25–45 days (ocean from Asia); 5–14 days (truck from Mexico/Canada)

Supplier Preparation

Allow 1–2 weeks for production documentation, certificates, and packing lists

Transit Time

18–35 days ocean from Asia/origin

CBP Clearance

1–3 days standard; 5–15 days if examination or AD/CVD review required

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs — Importing Furniture from South Korea

What is the effective US tariff rate for importing furniture from South Korea?

The effective US tariff rate for furniture from South Korea is: 0% KORUS FTA. KORUS FTA provides zero-duty access for Korean furniture. South Korea produces office furniture, storage systems, and ergonomic seating for the US market. Samsonite and major Korean brands use South Korean manufacturing.

What compliance agencies regulate furniture imports from South Korea?

Furniture imports require compliance with: CPSC, USDA/APHIS, EPA/TSCA. Specific requirements include: TSCA Title VI (40 CFR Part 770): formaldehyde emission limits for composite wood products (particleboard, MDF, plywood) — EPA TPC certification required and Lacey Act: Plant and Plant Product Declaration (USDA PPQ Form 505) required for all wood-containing furniture — must list wood species and country of harvest.

What documents are required to import furniture from South Korea?

Required documents include: Commercial Invoice; Packing List; Bill of Lading; Lacey Act Plant & Plant Product Declaration (USDA PPQ Form 505) — mandatory for all wood furniture. Additional: TSCA Title VI Formaldehyde Certification from EPA-accredited Third-Party Certifier; CPSC Compliance Certificates and supporting test reports. Ensure all documents are prepared before the shipment departs South Korea.

How long does customs clearance take for furniture from South Korea?

Typical timeline: 25–45 days (ocean from Asia); 5–14 days (truck from Mexico/Canada). CBP clearance typically takes 1–3 business days for compliant entries. Complex entries (AD/CVD, formal entry review, or examination) may require 5–15 additional business days.

Are there Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs on furniture from South Korea?

No Section 301 tariffs apply to South Korea-origin goods. Section 232 applies with a TRQ arrangement — steel within quota enters at reduced/zero Section 232; above quota faces 25%.

Are there active AD/CVD orders on furniture from China or Vietnam?

Yes. Active antidumping and countervailing duty orders cover wooden bedroom furniture from China (AD rates can exceed 200% for non-cooperative producers, Case A-570-890). Vietnam also faces AD orders on certain wood furniture categories. Run your supplier's name through CBP's ADD/CVD portal before importing and obtain a specific rate assignment — using an incorrect scope determination can result in massive back-duty liability.

What CARB formaldehyde requirements apply to imported furniture?

California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase 2 standards govern formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products (hardwood plywood, particleboard, MDF) in furniture. Since CARB is equivalent to the national EPA TSCA Title VI standard (effective 2018), compliance is required for ALL furniture sold in the US — not only in California. Importers must obtain CARB Phase 2 compliance certifications from manufacturers before importing.

How does USMCA affect furniture imports from Mexico compared to China?

Furniture qualifying under USMCA from Mexico enters at 0% compared to 0%–6% MFN base plus potential AD/CVD for China-origin furniture. However, USMCA rules of origin under Chapter 94 require substantial transformation in North America — furniture assembled in Mexico entirely from Chinese-manufactured components will not qualify. Verify the tariff shift rules with a licensed customs broker before claiming USMCA preference.

What does the KORUS FTA cover and how do I claim preferential treatment?

The US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS, effective 2012) has phased out duties on the vast majority of US-Korea trade — most goods now enter at 0%. To claim KORUS preference, have a valid origin certification from the Korean exporter (self-certification is permitted under KORUS). Goods must meet KORUS rules of origin requiring sufficient production in the US or Korea, with country-specific RVC or tariff shift rules by HTS code.

Are Korean electronics (Samsung, LG, SK Hynix) subject to any additional US tariffs?

No. South Korea is not subject to Section 301 tariffs. Section 232 TRQ applies to Korean steel and aluminum, not electronics. Korean electronics benefit from both KORUS FTA (0%) and the ITA (0% WTO multilateral rate), providing dual zero-rating. Major Korean brands have extensive US operations that further simplify compliance for distributors and importers.

How strictly does CBP enforce KORUS rules of origin for auto parts?

CBP has significantly increased KORUS auto parts origin verification, particularly for vehicles and major components. Importers should obtain detailed origin certifications from Korean suppliers including net cost calculations and production records. Korean auto parts manufacturers supplying global OEMs typically maintain robust KORUS documentation — request it proactively rather than waiting for a CBP CF-28 inquiry.

TRADE INTELLIGENCE TOOLS

Free Tools for Furniture Importers

Run these tools before your next shipment from South Korea — all free, no account required.

🔍 AI HTS Classifier

Get the exact 10-digit HTS code for your furniture. Identifies Section 301/232 exposure.

🧮 Landed Cost Calculator

Calculate total duty including MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 for South Korea-origin goods.

🛡️ Supplier Screening

Screen your South Korea supplier against OFAC, BIS Entity List, and denied parties databases.

✅ Compliance Check

Verify CPSC/USDA/APHIS/EPA/TSCA requirements and identify documentation gaps before shipment.

📊 Trade Research Hub

Deep-dive on tariff policy changes, Federal Register notices, and regulatory updates for South Korea.

🔔 Tariff Alerts

Get notified when duty rates or compliance requirements change for your product corridors.

Ready to Calculate Your Exact Import Costs?

Get precise duty calculations, landed cost estimates, and compliance flags for your furniture shipment from South Korea.

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View full South Korea tariff profile → Browse all import guides → Calculate landed cost →

Import duty rates are sourced from the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and USTR Section 301 lists. Rates reflect current published schedules as of 2026-05-16 and are subject to change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs brokerage advice. Verify rates with a licensed customs broker before importing.

How to Import Furniture from South Korea to the US