As a safety professional, protecting your team is imperative – and that often comes with balancing tight budgets, regulatory demands, and supply chain challenges. But one factor that doesn’t always get enough attention is tariffs – and as of late, tariffs have become a large part of the conversation when it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE).
If you've been following the news, the U.S. tariff environment has become increasingly volatile, with significant changes occurring in short timeframes. In short, this means various tariff amounts have been placed on imported goods – PPE included – and are constantly changing (more on this later).
Since tariffs go into effect immediately with no time to plan or budget ahead, manufacturers like HexArmor® who utilize the global supply chain are incurring these additional, incredibly high costs right off the bat.
Such drastic changes have caused our focus to radically pivot into understanding what this means for us and our customers. To help, we wanted to share the latest information on tariffs and how they directly affect the cost, availability, and sourcing of PPE – as well as what we are doing to combat these tariffs.
Here’s what you need to know.
2025: A rapidly shifting tariff landscape
On April 2, President Trump declared a "Liberation Day," announcing a universal 10% tariff on all imports, effective April 5, and additional country-specific tariffs ranging from 11% to 50% starting April 9. These measures were implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to address trade imbalances and perceived unfair trade practices.
However, less than two weeks later, on May 11, the U.S. and China agreed to a 90-day pause in their escalating trade war. During this period, the U.S. reduced tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China lowered its tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. This sudden shift aims to de-escalate tensions and reopen negotiations.
A breakdown of the tariff timeline:
- Feb 4 – 10% China tariff announced
- Mar 4 – China tariff increased from 10% to 20%
- Apr 2 – Baseline reciprocal 10% tariff on all countries; many higher
- Apr 2 – Additional 34% added to China, total now 54%
- Apr 5 – 90-day pause on tariffs above the 10% baseline (still in effect for all countries other than China)
- Apr 9 – Additional 50% on China, baseline now 104%
- Apr 10 – Clarification issued: total China tariff is at least 145%
- May 14 – China 30% for 90 days
These rapid and significant changes in tariff policies create a challenging environment for businesses engaged in international trade.
Companies like HexArmor® are working hard to remain agile and informed to navigate the evolving landscape effectively, as each change drastically affects how we plan and operate.
Please note regarding China tariffs: Because tariffs go into effect immediately, HexArmor® has already absorbed significant costs at the higher 145% rate.
What is a tariff, exactly? And how is it calculated?
A tariff is a government-imposed tax on imported goods. Tariffs are applied based on tariff codes (also called Harmonized System or HS codes), which classify every type of product – PPE included – based on its material, function, and use (more on this later).
Tariffs are calculated based on the HS codes and the country of origin of the product. Different countries have different tariff amounts placed on goods coming from certain countries of origin.
For example, safety gloves, hard hats, and safety eyewear each have different codes – and potentially different duty rates when imported into a country like the U.S., Canada, or the U.K.
A tariff is paid when the goods cross the border into the country – specifically, at the time of import, and the importer (i.e. HexArmor) is responsible for paying the tariff. The tariff is paid to Customs before the goods are released for sale.
Diving in: What is a tariff code and why is it important?
A tariff code, also known as an HS code (Harmonized System code), is a standardized numerical code used to classify products in international trade.
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) sets out the tariff rates and statistical categories for all merchandise imported into the United States. The HTS is based on the international Harmonized System, which is the global system of nomenclature applied to most world trade in goods. Find more information on HTS here.
Tariff codes are essential for:
- Determining import/export duties
- Applying trade regulations
- Tracking global trade statistics
Tariff codes are usually 6 to 10 digits:
- The first 6 digits are universal (used globally under the Harmonized System).
- Additional digits are country-specific and provide more detail.
- For example, the United States requires a 10-digit number to classify products being imported or exported.
- Find more information on HS codes here.
Using the correct tariff code ensures:
- You're charged the right duty rate
- You comply with regulations
- You avoid delays, penalties, or reclassification
You find tariff codes at government Customs websites, as well as information on which tariff codes receive which tariffs:
- US: HTS Search Tool (U.S. International Trade Commission)
- Canada: Canadian Customs Tariff
- EU: TARIC – EU Customs Database
- UK: UK Integrated Online Tariff
- Australia: ABF Tariff Classification
How can tariffs be avoided?
The harsh reality is that tariffs cannot be avoided. In one way or another, the cost of an imported good will be included in the price.
Why tariffs matter for PPE – and HexArmor® – in 2025
Tariffs can often be summed up as “a global issue with local consequences.” They are often used to protect domestic industries or as leverage in trade negotiations – but the ripple effect can hit your facility hard.
That’s because when tariffs are applied to PPE, costs can rise significantly – not just for manufacturers, but for the safety professionals and procurement teams buying this gear.
A few real-world impacts:
Higher unit prices
A 10–145% tariff has been placed on imported goods over the last three months – and even with the change to 30% on May 12, vast amounts HexArmor® products have been imported at that rate – which can and will drastically change your per-item cost, leading to shortages or inflated pricing.
Scarcity and limited capacity
PPE manufacturers are scrambling to shift sourcing outside of China to plants that are already at capacity. Other manufacturers are cancelling all orders from China, with no ability to re-source to different countries.
Sourcing complexity
Current tariffs limit access to certain products or force shifts to domestic or alternative suppliers.
Budget strain
In addition to potentially higher costs, shifts in global supply chains post-pandemic have added volatility, making it harder to plan budgets.
Freight anomalies
Tariff-related route changes and port shifts are leading to irregular shipping patterns, causing unexpected costs, capacity shortages, and delivery disruptions.
How HexArmor® is adjusting
When it comes to price increases, HexArmor® has been working hard to minimize the impact as much as possible for our customers – and we’ve taken a unique approach.
For the last couple of years, we’ve been proactive in diversifying our supply chain and working to source outside of China. Additionally, in the past year, we completed the purchase of a new facility outside of China that’s fully dedicated to supporting HexArmor’s volume and is now fully operational.
Our foresight and aggressive initiative to move production will reduce our reliance on China from 30% today to roughly 2% by the end of the year – something unheard of in the safety industry.
By doing this, we were able to significantly mitigate much of the China Tariff Impact by blending the tariff impact over time – avoiding sharp, immediate increases for our customers – while continuing to provide the highest quality PPE on the market.
Final thoughts
Tariffs might seem like a topic for customs brokers or global economists – but they have a very real impact on your safety program. By staying informed and proactive, you can help ensure your team stays protected without sacrificing your budget or supply reliability.
HexArmor® is taking a proactive approach to ensure each and every customer understands how tariffs are impacting not just our company, but the industry as a whole. Rest assured, we are and will continue to deliver the best possible product and service we can to help you and your team get home safe, every day – tariff or not.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. Call 1.877.MY ARMOR or send us a message.
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