US Weighs Exempting Car Seats, Strollers from Tariffs on Chinese Goods
The US government is considering whether to exempt key child safety products like car seats, strollers, and cribs from steep tariffs on Chinese imports. As tariffs on some Chinese goods climb to as high as 145%, parents, retailers, and manufacturers are raising concerns over the rising costs of baby essentials.
Key Items May Get Relief from Car Seats Tariffs and Strollers Tariffs
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed during a recent House Financial Services Committee hearing that the administration is reviewing whether to exclude certain items—including car seats, baby strollers, cribs, and other necessary children’s products—from these increased tariffs. Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts highlighted the issue, pointing out that more than 3.5 million babies are born in the US every year, with the vast majority of strollers produced in China.
She stated, “Almost all strollers are made in China. Now that cost is going up,” underscoring how important access to affordable baby gear is for American families.
Background on Car Seats Tariffs and Strollers Tariffs
Back in 2018, the Trump administration chose to exempt a handful of child-related products from existing tariffs, including bicycle helmets and car seats classified as child safety furniture. However, many other essential goods were left out. Items such as car seat component parts, cribs, bassinets, diaper bags, and wooden safety gates continued to face added tariff costs, increasing prices for families and importers.
The current round of tariff hikes is much steeper, with rates up to 125% or higher, threatening to further raise the prices of everyday family necessities.
Industry Reaction to Car Seats and Strollers Tariffs
Chris Peterson, CEO of Newell Brands, the parent company of popular baby gear maker Graco, spoke recently on an earnings call about how these car seats tariffs and strollers tariffs are impacting the industry. Peterson stated that manufacturers source about 97% of baby strollers and 87% of car seats sold in the US from China. The company has already increased prices by about 20% in response to previous tariff hikes on imported baby products.
He explained that Newell Brands had not yet factored in the impact of the latest 125% tariff increase. To manage the uncertainty, the company temporarily paused shipments from China and has been using up its current inventory instead.
“At some point, we will begin to run out of inventory. Retailers will begin to run out of inventory and we will turn back on reordering from China,” Peterson said. “When that happens, because the whole industry sources from China, we would expect that we and the rest of the industry will take additional pricing to offset the tariff cost.”
Why Car Seats and Strollers Matter to American Families
Car seats and strollers are not just everyday consumer goods; they are considered critical for the safety and transportation of children. Higher prices mean some families might delay or avoid buying new, safe equipment, putting children at risk. Sudden and high tariffs could significantly impact family budgets nationwide because the market for these products relies so heavily on China.
The Case for Exempting Essential Child Transport Items from Tariffs
Consumer groups are urging a closer look at tariffs on car seats and strollers. Many believe that essential child safety products shouldn’t be subject to steep price increases caused by trade policies.
The encouraging news is that the administration seems to be listening. If approved, exemptions for items like car seats, strollers, and cribs could help families avoid another round of price hikes and provide manufacturers with a more reliable supply chain.
Source
Reuters – US considering exempting car seats, strollers from Chinese tariffs
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