In 2026, the United States enacted new tariffs that will impact the cost of goods across a broad number of products and materials, including office furniture. These “universal tariffs” are projected to increase furniture costs by 10-25%, which will impact companies and small businesses that need to expand operations or upgrade their workspaces.
Fortunately, refurbished office furniture can help New England businesses avoid the new tariffs and cost increases associated with them. Here’s how.
What Are Tariffs?
First, let’s take a look at what tariffs actually are and what they do. Tariffs are a tax imposed on imported goods that is generally paid by the company importing them to the government. Historically, tariffs have been relatively low and were used to regulate international trade and generate revenue. That said, companies typically pass on the cost of tariffs they pay to the consumer or end user by raising the price of the goods they sell.
How Tariffs Are Raising the Price of Office Furniture
While almost all businesses across the country are being affected by higher tariffs, the office furniture sector has been hit particularly hard.
Imported pre-made furniture, partially finished parts, metal fittings, and frames from China now have tariffs between 25-50%. With China being the primary supplier of over 30% of American furniture imports, these tariffs impact a significant portion of new office furniture and parts being brought into the country.
Materials imported from Mexico and Canada also now have tariffs, including industrial fabrics, particleboard, foam, and wood. Plus, metal parts used in the domestic construction of desks, storage cabinets, and chairs are subject to tariff increases, which ultimately increases the price of office furniture even when it’s manufactured in America.
Avoid Furniture Price Increases with Used Office Furniture
If you’re buying office furniture in 2026, tariffs will impact you. With companies rolling new tariffs into the amount you pay, the cost of furniture is higher than ever. One way to avoid furniture price increases is by purchasing used office furniture instead of new.
Since pre-owned and refurbished office furniture already exists in the U.S., there are no tariffs associated with importing it or its parts. This allows you to skirt the new tariffs entirely and even helps contribute to sustainability by using furniture that otherwise might have been discarded.
Estimated Refurbished Office Furniture Cost Savings
How much you can save when buying used office furniture depends on the type of furniture you purchase. Here’s a look at your potential cost savings:
| Item | Estimated Cost New | Estimated Cost Refurbished | Estimated Savings |
| Ergonomic task chair | $500 | $250 | $250 |
| Office desk | $900 | $500 | $400 |
| 6-person conference table | $2,500 | $1,400 | $1,100 |
| Filing or storage cabinet | $700 | $350 | $350 |
| 4-person workstation setup | $6,000 | $3,500 | $2,500 |
| 10-person office furniture package | $18,000 | $10,500 | $7,500 |
Get High-Quality Used & Refurbished Office Furniture in Massachusetts with Ideal Office
Ideal Office Solutions has supplied Massachusetts businesses with the highest quality used and refurbished office furniture for more than 20 years. We also provide comprehensive design services to help you maximize space and workplace productivity.
Contact us today at (978) 327-5327 or fill out our online form today to see how we can help you save time and money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is used office furniture lower quality than new?
No. Our pre-owned office furniture is cleaned and repaired to like-new status before sale. The only difference is the price.
Can I get refurbished office furniture that matches my existing furniture?
Yes, we can help you find refurbished office furniture that looks great with your existing setup. You don’t need to buy a whole office setup to make sure everything matches.
Is refurbished office furniture better for the environment?
Yes. Refurbished furniture is an environmentally friendly choice since it prevents gently used items that still have function from being thrown away and taken to a landfill.
Will office furniture tariffs change in the future?
Yes, tariffs are always subject to change, especially when there’s a new government administration. Whether tariffs will be higher or lower depends on multiple factors and is hard to predict.
