What's the Tariff on Washing Machine?
Washers from South Korea, China, Mexico.
Current Tariff Rate
34%
Pre-2025 Rate
20%
Rate Increase
+14pp
Price Impact
+34%
+$306
Real-World Price Impact
Before Tariffs
$899
Front-load washer
After Tariffs
$1,205
Front-load washer
That's $306 more per unit — a 34% price increase paid by the American buyer.
Note: Price estimates assume full tariff pass-through to consumers. Actual retail prices may vary — manufacturers may absorb some costs, shift production, or adjust margins.
The Story Behind This Tariff
The washing machine tariff saga began in 2018 when Samsung and LG's rapid shift of production from South Korea to China and Vietnam triggered a landmark safeguard case. Whirlpool, the last major US washer manufacturer, successfully petitioned for protection, resulting in the first safeguard tariff in over a decade. The current 34% combined rate stacks IEEPA duties on top of the existing safeguard. South Korea's Samsung and LG responded by building massive US factories in South Carolina and Tennessee respectively, investing over $1B combined — a rare tariff success story in terms of reshoring. However, consumer prices jumped 12% industry-wide, as even domestically-made washers raised prices under the tariff umbrella. Mexico has emerged as a key assembly hub for mid-range models, while China still dominates the component supply chain for motors, control boards, and stainless steel drums.
📦 Supply Chain
Primary Origin
KR
Made in USA
40%
Import Volume
$3.8B
Alternatives
Mexico (growing hub), domestic Samsung/LG plants
📅 Tariff Timeline
2018
Safeguard tariff on residential washers
20%2020
Safeguard rate stepped down
16%2023
Safeguard extended with modifications
12%2025
IEEPA stacks on remaining safeguard
34%👥 Consumer Impact
Households Affected
45M
Annual Cost Per Household
$85
💡 Did You Know?
- •Samsung and LG built $1B+ in US washing machine factories specifically because of the 2018 safeguard tariff
- •The 2018 washer tariff raised prices on dryers too — retailers bundle them, so both went up 12%
- •South Korea challenged the washer safeguard at the WTO and won, but the US ignored the ruling
Tariff Details
- HTS Code
- 8450.20
- Current Rate
- 34%
- Pre-2025 Rate
- 20%
- Tariff Type
- IEEPA + Safeguard
Legal Authority
IEEPA + Safeguard
Effective: 2018-2025
Combined IEEPA tariff and existing safeguard duties
The tariff on Washing Machine is paid by the American importer at the port of entry and passed through to consumers as higher retail prices. The foreign manufacturer does not pay the tariff.
Who Actually Pays This Tariff?
Despite claims that tariffs are paid by foreign countries, the 34% tariff on Washing Machine is paid by American importers — US companies that purchase these goods from abroad. The cost is then passed to American consumers through higher retail prices.
- ✓ The foreign seller receives the same price as before
- ✓ The US importer pays 34% of the customs value to CBP
- ✓ The retailer marks up the higher landed cost
- ✓ You pay more at the register: $899 → $1,205
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