Do Trump’s Tariffs impact Art?

In the past week, there has been a growing amount of concern about whether Trump’s much-talked about tariff changes impacts artworks.

On April 2, 2025, Trump announced a new round of tariffs: a blanket 10% tariff on most imports starting a few days ago, on April 5, followed by higher, country-specific tariffs kicking in from April 9. We have had a number of discussions with industry experts, and drawn on a few other sources to provide some clarification on this matter.

Is art impacted?

Currently, the simple answer is no – whilst nothing is 100% guaranteed in light of how quickly this is moving, it is our current understanding that that art is exempt from the blanket 10% tariffs now in place.

Why? As Marian Maneker posted in his newsletter last night, ‘the president is not given the authority to regulate communications, humanitarian donations, and information under the legal pretext for his emergency tariff implementation. Thus, art works, which are considered a form of speech, expression, and information, are exempt.’

For those of you who like digging into the details, paragraph b(3) of the §1702. Presidential authorities states: ‘the importation from any country, or the exportation to any country, whether commercial or otherwise, regardless of format or medium of transmission, of any information or informational materials, including but not limited to, publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, and news wire feeds’.

As Convelio stated in a newsletter on Thursday, ‘the definition of informational materials generally includes, but is not limited to:

• Artworks classified under Chapter 97 of the HTS (e.g., paintings, prints, sculptures).

• Photography, prints, and books classified under Chapter 49 of the HTS.’

Convelio were also keen to point out that antiquities and design/furniture items do not currently appear to be covered by these exemptions and may face additional duties.

We are also currently managing a number of high value imports into the U.S., both from the United Kingdom and from Europe, and the discussions we have had with our customs agents in the US, is that this is the case and currently artworks are exempt.

A word of caution

We must state that this our understanding as at today, 7 April, and there are no guarantees that the rules will not change. As Marion also stated last night, ‘But don’t get too comfortable: First, there’s no telling whether Trump will actually honour any of these provisions.’

This is a moving dialogue, and one that we will remain close to in the coming days, weeks and months. Whilst this once again throws more uncertainty to art collectors, not just in the U.S. but also around the world, we do breathe a sign of relief that currently artworks can be shipped to the U.S. and as long as customs agents in the U.S. are aware of the exemption, the new tariffs should not be charged when they enter the country. Do get in touch if you are considering placing an order and we can advise further.