Industry News โ€” Stone & Surfaces

๐Ÿ“ฐ Industry News โ€” Stone & Surfaces

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Tariff Tracker โ€“ Granite & Quartz

๐ŸŒ Tariff Tracker โ€” Granite & Quartz

US Import Duties by Country of Origin ยท Updated June 2026
โฑ Data as of June 30, 2026
โš  Active Investigations: USTR has initiated Section 301 investigations involving India, Indonesia, and other countries. Rates may change. Verify with your customs broker before committing to large orders.
Current Tariff Rates โ€” Natural Granite (HTS 6802.23)
Country Base MFN Additional Duty Est. Total Rate Tariff Type Status
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ทBrazil
#1 US Granite Supplier
3.7% +40.0% ~43.7% Exec. Order ๐Ÿ”ด High Impact
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณIndia
#2 US Granite Supplier
3.7% โ€” 3.7% MFN Only ๐ŸŸก Watch โ€“ Inv. Pending
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณChina 3.7% +25.0% ~28.7% Section 301 ๐Ÿ”ด High Impact
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡นItaly 3.7% โ€” 3.7% MFN Only ๐ŸŸข Stable
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ทTurkey 3.7% โ€” 3.7% MFN Only ๐ŸŸข Stable
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธSpain 3.7% โ€” 3.7% MFN Only ๐ŸŸข Stable
๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆSouth Africa 3.7% โ€” 3.7% MFN Only ๐ŸŸข Stable

Rates shown are estimates based on publicly available data. Brazil's additional 40% duty was imposed by Executive Order July 30, 2025 on certain goods. China's 25% Section 301 applies under List 3. Actual duty may vary by exact HTS subheading, product form, and origin documentation. Always verify with a licensed customs broker. Sources: USITC HTS, USTR, CSSStone 2026.

๐Ÿšจ Section 201 Action Pending: USITC determined injury on April 1, 2026 and recommended a Tariff-Rate Quota (TRQ) to the President in May 2026. A presidential decision imposing up to 25%+ tariffs on all global quartz imports (above 140M sq ft/yr quota) is expected imminently. This would be the largest tariff change for the countertop industry in years.
Current Tariff Rates โ€” Engineered Quartz Surfaces (HTS 6810.99 / 6802.93)
Country Base MFN Additional Duty Est. Total Rate Tariff Type Status
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณChina
Largest Supplier
0% โ€“ 3.7% +25% ~25โ€“29% Section 301 ๐Ÿ”ด High Impact
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณIndia 0% โ€“ 3.7% โ€” ~3.7% MFN +TRQ Pending ๐ŸŸก Watch
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฑIsrael Free โ€” 0% FTA +TRQ Pending ๐ŸŸก Watch
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ทSouth Korea Free โ€” 0% FTA (KORUS) โ€“ Excluded ๐ŸŸข Excluded from TRQ
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌSingapore Free โ€” 0% FTA โ€“ Excluded ๐ŸŸข Excluded from TRQ
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธSpain 3.7% โ€” ~3.7% MFN +TRQ Pending ๐ŸŸก Watch
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธCanada / Mexico Free โ€” 0% USMCA โ€“ Excluded ๐ŸŸข Excluded from TRQ
๐Ÿ“‹ Section 201 TRQ Structure (Recommended to President, May 2026): Year 1: 25% tariff on imports within the 140 million sq ft annual quota (35M sq ft/quarter). Imports above quota face higher rates. Countries with US Free Trade Agreements (Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Singapore, Israel) are proposed for exclusion. Presidential decision expected mid-2026.

Sources: USITC April 2026 Determination ยท USITC May 2026 Remedy ยท TariffLens Analysis

Timeline of Key Tariff Events โ€” Stone & Surfaces
  • May 2026
    USITC submits quartz TRQ remedy to President. Recommends a 4-year Tariff-Rate Quota: 25% on imports within 140M sqft/yr; FTA countries excluded. Presidential decision expected Juneโ€“July 2026.
  • Apr 1, 2026
    USITC rules 2-1: quartz imports cause serious injury. Global safeguard (Section 201) investigation Inv. No. TA-201-79 affirmed. Triggered the remedy recommendation phase.
  • Feb 24, 2026
    USITC serious injury hearing for quartz. The ITC held formal hearings on whether global quartz imports injure US producers. Importers testified on supply chain disruptions if tariffs imposed.
  • Jul 30, 2025
    Executive Order imposes 40% additional duty on certain Brazilian goods. Declared national emergency; ad valorem duty added on covered Brazilian-origin imports including stone products. Brazil granite imports dropped ~66% in subsequent months.
  • 2025
    USTR initiates Section 301 investigations on multiple countries including India, Indonesia, EU, Japan, and others. No final tariffs yet imposed on stone from these countries, but risk is elevated.
  • 2018โ€“2019
    Section 301 tariffs imposed on China in four lists (7.5%โ€“25%). China granite and engineered quartz hit with 25% (List 3). China share of US countertop imports declined sharply thereafter.
  • Pre-2018
    MFN baseline: Natural granite slabs (HTS 6802.23) carried a 3.7% Most Favored Nation rate. Engineered quartz entered largely duty-free (0%โ€“3.7%) depending on classification.
HTS Code Reference โ€” Stone & Surfaces
6802.23
Granite โ€” worked
Monumental or building stone; simply cut or sawn slabs. Primary code for granite countertop slabs.
6802.93
Granite โ€” other
Other worked granite not elsewhere specified. Covers polished, beveled, and profiled slabs.
6810.99
Engineered quartz surfaces
Articles of cement, artificial stone or similar โ€” used for engineered quartz countertops (e.g., Silestone, Caesarstone-type).
2506.10
Raw quartz
Natural quartz (crude or quarried). Not typically used for countertops but relevant for raw material imports.
6802.10
Tiles, cubes, mosaic
Worked stone tiles and similar for floors, walls, and decorative use.
6802.29
Other calcareous stone
Covers marble, travertine, alabaster and other worked calcareous stone (not granite).

HTS codes are provided for reference only. Final classification depends on product form, composition, and end-use. Consult a licensed customs broker or the USITC HTS Database for binding classifications.

Landed Cost & Tariff Impact Calculator

Estimate the tariff cost for a countertop order based on country of origin and material type.

CIF Value
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Tariff Rate
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Duty Amount
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Est. Landed Cost
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Calculator uses estimated rates for illustration only. Does not include MPF, HMF, brokerage fees, or other charges. Not tax or legal advice.

Freight Tracker โ€“ Stone & Surfaces

๐Ÿšข Freight Tracker โ€” Stone & Surfaces

Container Rates ยท Fuel Surcharges ยท Port Status ยท Trucking ยท Updated June 2026
โฑ Data as of June 30, 2026
๐Ÿ“ฆ Reading These Rates: Rates below are estimated spot market rates per 40ft container (FEU) from major stone export regions to US ports. Stone is heavy cargo โ€” actual quotes from your freight forwarder may vary ยฑ15โ€“20%. Rates fluctuate weekly.
Drewry WCI
$4,166
per 40ft (composite)
โ–ฒ 5%
Shanghai โ†’ LA
$5,750
per FEU spot rate
โ–ฒ 12%
Shanghai โ†’ NY
$7,149
per FEU spot rate
โ–ฒ 6%
Market Trend
Rising
Frontloading demand
โ†‘ Active
Container Rates by Origin โ€” 20ft & 40ft (FEU)
Origin โ†’ Destination 20ft (TEU) 40ft (FEU) Transit Time Trend Notes
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Shanghai โ†’ Los Angeles
Transpacific West Coast
~$3,100 ~$5,750 14โ€“18 days โ–ฒ Rising Frontloading active; blank sailings minimal
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Shanghai โ†’ New York
Transpacific East Coast
~$3,800 ~$7,149 28โ€“35 days โ–ฒ Rising Via Panama Canal or Suez
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India (Mundra/Chennai) โ†’ East Coast US
Indian subcontinent
~$1,400 ~$2,500 22โ€“30 days โ†’ Stable India gaining share vs. China/Brazil
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท Brazil (Santos) โ†’ East Coast US
South America
~$1,600 ~$3,000 10โ€“16 days โ†“ Volume down Import volume โˆ’66% since 40% tariff
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Italy (Carrara/Verona) โ†’ East Coast US
Mediterranean
~$1,800 ~$3,200 14โ€“20 days โ–ฒ Volume up Italy gained #1 spot in Mar 2026 (+9.7%)
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท Turkey (Istanbul/Izmir) โ†’ East Coast US
Mediterranean
~$1,700 ~$3,000 15โ€“22 days โ†’ Stable Competitive alternative to China/Brazil

Ocean rates are estimated spot market rates sourced from Drewry WCI (June 25, 2026), Freightos, and industry reports. Heavy stone cargo may carry premiums. Rates exclude BAF, THC, and other surcharges. Sources: Drewry WCI ยท Freightos ยท Stone World Import Data

โšก Emergency Fuel Surcharges: Between March 9โ€“25, 2026, the five largest container carriers (MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, ONE, Hapag-Lloyd) all announced emergency fuel surcharges due to Middle East supply disruptions and VLSFO price volatility.
VLSFO Price
$875/MT
Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (est.)
BAF as % of Freight
25โ€“30%
Asiaโ€“US routes (typical range)
Emergency Fuel Surcharge
$160โ€“$210
per TEU (dry cargo, head haul)
BAF Impact on Rate
+5โ€“15%
Add to base ocean freight rate
Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) โ€” How It Works
Trade Lane BAF Component Est. Add-on / 40ft Reefer Premium
Asia โ†’ US West Coast 25โ€“30% of base rate $800โ€“$1,200 +$50/TEU
Asia โ†’ US East Coast 25โ€“30% of base rate $1,000โ€“$1,600 +$50/TEU
Europe/Med โ†’ US East Coast 20โ€“25% of base rate $500โ€“$900 +$40/TEU
South America โ†’ US East Coast 15โ€“25% of base rate $400โ€“$700 +$40/TEU

What is BAF? The Bunker Adjustment Factor is a fuel surcharge added by carriers to offset bunker fuel cost changes. It is recalculated quarterly by most major carriers and quoted separately from the base ocean freight rate. For stone shipments โ€” which are heavy, non-perishable, and transported as break-bulk or full containers โ€” BAF applies at standard dry cargo rates.

Sources: Tradlinx April 2026 ยท Xeneta BAF Guide ยท TransGlobal March 2026

๐Ÿญ Port Status reflects general conditions as of late June 2026. Stone and slab shipments typically enter via East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. Congestion levels are rated relative to normal baseline operations.
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Los Angeles / Long Beach
Primary West Coast gateway (China/India)
CongestionModerate
Avg. Dwell Time3โ€“5 days
TEU Volume Trendโ–ฒ High
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Savannah, GA
Fastest-growing East Coast port
CongestionLowโ€“Normal
Avg. Dwell Time2โ€“4 days
Stone ImportsActive
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ New York / New Jersey
Largest East Coast port
CongestionModerate
Avg. Dwell Time3โ€“6 days
Stone ImportsActive
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Houston, TX
Gulf Coast โ€” Brazil/Italy gateway
CongestionLow
Avg. Dwell Time2โ€“3 days
Stone ImportsModerate
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Charleston, SC
Southeast gateway โ€” Mfld. projects
CongestionLow
Avg. Dwell Time2โ€“3 days
Regional RelevanceHigh
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Miami, FL
South Florida; Brazil & Caribbean
CongestionLow
Avg. Dwell Time2โ€“4 days
Stone ImportsModerate

Port congestion data is estimated from publicly available container dwell reports and industry publications as of June 2026. For real-time port information, visit Port of LA, GA Ports Authority, or use SeaRates Port Congestion Tracker.

๐Ÿš› Trucking Context: Stone slabs require flatbed or specialized carriers due to A-frame or vertical loading requirements. Standard dry van rates do not apply. Rates below reflect estimated drayage (port-to-warehouse) and regional delivery costs for stone cargo.
Port Drayage (Short-haul)
Port โ†’ Local warehouse / fab shop (<50 mi)
$400โ€“$700
per container; standard drayage
Regional Delivery (50โ€“250 mi)
Warehouse โ†’ Jobsite or distribution
$700โ€“$1,500
per flatbed load; stone-specific
Long-Haul Stone (250โ€“600 mi)
Multi-state delivery (SE region)
$1,500โ€“$3,000
per flatbed; varies by fuel & accessorials
Fuel Surcharge (Trucking)
Diesel-based; varies with DOE index
~25โ€“30%
of base linehaul rate (est. June 2026)
โš  Stone Cargo Note: Granite and quartz slabs are fragile and extremely heavy (typical slab bundle: 3,000โ€“5,000 lbs). Carriers require A-frame trailers or specialized flatbeds. Not all carriers will accept stone. Premium of 15โ€“25% over standard flatbed rates is common. Confirm with your freight broker that the carrier is stone-experienced.

Trucking rates are estimates sourced from industry references as of June 2026. Actual rates depend on fuel price, carrier availability, distance, accessorials, and load characteristics. Sources: TransGlobal March 2026 ยท Tradlinx April 2026