RVIA said last week lauan plywood will be subject to reciprocal tariffs beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Tuesday.
At that time, lauan plywood imports from Indonesia will face a 19% International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff on top of the existing 8% MFN duty for a total tariff rate of 27%.
RVIA has said the industry was collectively paying $1 million a month in tariffs at the 8% tariffs since the end of 2020. The 337.5% increase to 27% would raise the RV industry’s monthly costs to $3.375 million.
Annually, RV industry companies would pay $40.5 million in lauan tariffs. From January 2021 through September 2025, the industry collectively paid $57 million in lauan tariffs.
On Sep. 29, President Donald Trump imposed Section 232 tariffs on specified imports of softwood timber and lumber.
The administration exempted lauan from the Section 232 plywood tariffs, but RVIA said the language was less clear about whether lauan would be subject to IEEPA tariffs.
RVIA consulted the staff of U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.) and multiple law firms about the applicable lauan tariffs. RVIA’s conclusion is that lauan will be subject to the expanded tariffs.
RVIA said Yakym has talked with officials at the Department of Commerce. RVIA said the administration’s intent was not to subject lauan to these reciprocal tariffs. RVIA said it is working with Yakym and the Commerce Department to get lauan exempted.
RVIA said members can email questions to Samantha Rocci, director of federal affairs, at [email protected].
