08/07/2025
**Tariff Clarity?**
Let's just say the tariff situation is still about as clear as mud! 🤔 We thought a post, to share our perspective on where we are, might be helpful in understanding the pressures of the tariffs on the farrier industry.
All of the recent news has focused on "Reciprocal" tariffs that now seem to range from 10% to at least 50%, depending on country of origin. There is absolutely no consistency to the Reciprocal tariff levels. It's important to note these Reciprocal tariffs are not the ones creating the big impact on steel and aluminum horseshoes and nails. However, they do impact a wide variety of other items used in the farrier trade, including; tools, pads, hoof care products, and the bulk of the imported non-horseshoe and nail products that you may use in your work.
The more damaging tariffs for the farrier industry are the ones known as Section 301 and 232 (National Security?) tariffs. They are rarely mentioned in all the discussion about Reciprocal tariffs. At this time, steel and aluminum horseshoes and horseshoe nails from almost all countries are tagged with 50% or higher tariffs. Unfortunately, there is little to no public information as to whether these tariffs are going to be lowered or stick going forward. Just to provide some perspective, we've seen documentation through the years that shoes, nails and rasps are somewhere in the range of 75-85% of all products sold in the farrier industry so those tariffs are the most harmful to our costs and yours.
is in the same predicament as numerous other importers of farrier products. Along with our key vendor, , we have absorbed significant costs of the tariffs despite applying some surcharges to help mitigate the impact on our ability to continue providing products needed to service the market. All the while, waiting and hoping we will eventually see the 301 and 232 tariffs reduced, so costs of the steel and aluminum products used every day in the farrier market do not have to increase, but can be reduced. However, Kerckhaert and FPD will not compromise their high standard for quality, regardless of the tariffs. Farriers can trust the products we carry in our program will continue to be reliable and available!
It is also noteworthy that even the domestic manufacturers, down to only one major steel shoe manufacturer and one rasp manufacturer, have seen their raw material costs increase as a result of the tariffs. No major aluminum shoe or horseshoe nail manufacturers remain in the US and, even if feasible, it could take years to change that dynamic.
Let's all hope for relief from tariffs.🤞
