April 15, 2025

How the 2025 Tariffs Are Impacting the Plumbing Industry

The plumbing industry is no stranger to change. From evolving design trends to shifts in consumer preferences, manufacturers and suppliers are constantly adapting. But in 2025, one of the biggest challenges facing our industry isn't a new style or technology — it's the impact of new tariffs on imported goods.

This year, updated tariffs have gone into effect targeting products and raw materials from certain regions of the world. These changes are affecting industries across the board, and plumbing is no exception. In this blog, we'll break down what these tariffs mean, how they affect the plumbing industry, and why it matters to dealers, designers, and homeowners.

What Are the 2025 Tariffs?

Tariffs are essentially taxes placed on imported goods. Governments implement them for a variety of reasons — to encourage domestic manufacturing, to level the playing field against subsidized foreign products, or to influence trade negotiations.

In 2025, the U.S. has introduced a new wave of tariffs targeting certain products and materials commonly used in plumbing fixtures and components. These include:

Brass and stainless steel
Finished plumbing products manufactured overseas
Certain valve components and internal parts

The intended goal is to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains and incentivize U.S.-based manufacturing. But the near-term effect is an increase in the cost of materials and products sourced from tariff-affected regions.

How Are These Tariffs Affecting the Plumbing Industry?

Rising Material Costs

Many plumbing products are made of brass or stainless steel — both of which are impacted by the 2025 tariffs. Even companies manufacturing in the U.S. often import raw materials. As these material costs rise, manufacturers are forced to make difficult decisions: absorb the cost increases or pass them along to customers.

Price Increases Across the Industry

Most brands have already announced price increases or are planning to do so in the coming months. For dealers and showrooms, this means adjusting quotes and expectations for upcoming projects. For homeowners and designers, it means higher prices on fixtures like faucets, shower systems, and accessories.

Supply Chain Disruption

Some manufacturers are facing longer lead times due to sourcing challenges. In other cases, companies are relocating production to tariff-exempt countries — a positive long-term move, but one that takes time to execute.

Why Isn’t More Decorative Plumbing Made in the U.S.?

Despite being a multi-billion dollar industry, very little of the decorative plumbing sold in the U.S. is actually manufactured domestically. There are a few key reasons why:

Labor Costs: Manufacturing faucets and shower systems requires precise labor. Labor costs in the U.S. are significantly higher than in countries where many plumbing products are currently made.
Environmental Regulations: U.S. manufacturing of metal-based products, like brass and stainless-steel components, is subject to strict environmental guidelines, especially for foundries and plating facilities. While beneficial for health and safety, these rules can increase production costs.
Legacy Supply Chains: For decades, the decorative plumbing industry has relied on global manufacturing partners with deep experience in casting, machining, and finishing. Moving away from these entrenched systems is a complex, time-intensive process.
Infrastructure: Many U.S. facilities are not set up to handle the high-volume, specialized production that faucet and fixture lines require. Building or retrofitting facilities involves considerable investment and time.

It's worth noting that a small percentage of brands do manufacture decorative plumbing products in the U.S. These products are often positioned in the luxury tier, reflecting the higher cost of domestic production. Brands like Graff, for example, utilize U.S.-based manufacturing and have built their reputation on precision craftsmanship and premium design. For many consumers, these products offer unmatched quality, but the elevated price point places them in a different market segment.

Why More U.S. Manufacturing Would Be a Good Thing

While it's not easy, bringing more decorative plumbing manufacturing stateside offers several long-term benefits:

Shorter Lead Times: Local production means faster response to demand spikes, improved turnaround times, and fewer freight-related delays.
Better Quality Control: Manufacturing closer to home allows for tighter oversight and quicker response to quality concerns.
Stronger Supply Chain Resilience: With less dependency on foreign governments, tariffs, or port congestion, domestic production creates a more stable and predictable supply chain.
Economic Growth: U.S.-based manufacturing supports jobs, strengthens local economies, and promotes investment in skilled labor and innovation.
Sustainability: Fewer overseas shipments reduce the carbon footprint of delivering products to end users.

If more of the decorative plumbing industry were manufactured domestically, we could see a shift in how quickly products are brought to market, how reliably they’re delivered, and how transparent brands are about their production processes. Over time, this could lead to a new standard in both product integrity and customer trust across the industry.

How Plumbing Brands Are Responding

Diversifying Manufacturing

Many companies began shifting their manufacturing footprint years ago in anticipation of supply chain volatility. Moving production to countries not affected by tariffs is a key strategy for mitigating price increases.

Absorbing Costs Where Possible

Some brands are choosing to hold pricing on key items for as long as they can, particularly on best-selling products. This isn't always sustainable, but it speaks to the competitive nature of the plumbing industry.

Increased Focus on Domestic Production

For U.S.-based brands, the tariffs have accelerated investment in domestic manufacturing facilities. While this move supports local economies and reduces freight costs, it's a long-term strategy that may take years to fully realize.

What This Means for Dealers, Designers, and Homeowners

For Dealers:

Expect price increases to come in waves, sometimes with advance notice, sometimes without.
In-stock inventory may become more valuable as lead times shift.
Partnering with brands that have diversified sourcing strategies will help maintain project flexibility.

For Designers & Homeowners:

Prices on faucets, shower systems, and accessories are likely to rise throughout 2025.
Large renovation or construction projects may benefit from ordering sooner rather than later.
The importance of product durability and long-term value is heightened in this environment.

Differing Opinions on Tariffs

It's important to note that opinions on the 2025 tariffs vary widely within the plumbing industry and beyond. Some view these tariffs as a necessary step toward strengthening U.S. manufacturing and ensuring greater supply chain independence. They argue that the short-term pain will lead to long-term gains: more jobs, less reliance on imports, and greater control over product quality.

Others view the tariffs as a financial burden that ultimately falls on consumers. They point out that many U.S.-based brands still depend on global materials and components, and raising costs across the board could stifle renovation and construction projects. There's also concern that rapid shifts in sourcing could impact product availability and consistency.

For many in the industry, the reality falls somewhere in the middle: acknowledging the challenges while working hard to adapt and find creative solutions.

The Long-Term Outlook

While the 2025 tariffs present short-term challenges, they also create opportunities. These shifts often drive innovation, force improvements in supply chain management, and ultimately strengthen the plumbing industry for the future.

For dealers, designers, and homeowners, the key is staying informed. Understand where your products are made, what materials they use, and how your suppliers are adapting.

Why Artos Is Well-Positioned to Navigate These Changes

As a small, family-owned company, Artos is uniquely positioned in this environment. We're an easier ship to turn than some of the larger companies in our industry. While bigger brands may face complex global operations and slower decision-making, we're able to remain nimble and responsive.

At Artos, we're committed to transparency, thoughtful design, and high-quality products — even in uncertain times. And we'll continue to navigate these challenges with the same care and attention that have defined us from the beginning.