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Having trouble making sense of the potential U.S.-Canada tariffs and how they could affect you as a buyer or seller? Watch our recent Instagram Live to untangle the confusion
If you buy or sell secondhand goods across the U.S.-Canada border, you’ve probably heard the buzz (and stress) around new tariffs proposed by U.S. President Trump.
And if you haven’t gotten the lowdown yet? Buckle up, because things are complicated.
On. Feb. 5, we went live on Instagram with vintage seller Sarah Israel, founder of Dwelling on the Past, to break it all down.
What do these tariffs mean for vintage sellers and buyers? How bad could things get? And most importantly — what can you do about it?
The full recording is linked below, but here’s a quick rundown to get you in the know.
The U.S. announced a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Canada would go into effect on Feb. 1.
In response, Canada threatened to slap its own 25% tariff on American goods, which, yes, includes vintage and secondhand staples like clothing, jewellery and glassware.
The countries agreed to pause their tariff measures for at least 30 days, until Mar. 4, 2025.
Even though the tariffs discussion is on hold for now, the looming threat has vintage lovers on both sides of the border scrambling for answers.
The U.S. did follow through with 10-15% tariffs on goods originating from China, initially with a removal of the “de minimis” threshold that allows goods valued under US$800 to enter the country duty free — but on Feb. 7 (after the Live was filmed) they walked that back due to delays at the border.
The China tariffs remain, but only for goods valued over US$800.
For U.S.-based vintage sellers, the impact might not be felt as immensely, at least not immediately. The Canadian dollar is weak, which means buying from Canada is still relatively affordable.
But for Canadian buyers and sellers, not so much. Some Canadian sellers we polled see up to 70 per cent of their clientele from the U.S. If the cost of goods rises because the consumer has to pay a tariff, it will affect order volume.
The tariffs would cost the average U.S. consumer an additional US$830 per year and the average Canadian consumer CA$1,900 per year.
Whether you're sourcing, selling, or just shopping for the perfect ‘70s suede jacket, these potential tariffs could hit hard.
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The good news? You still have time to prepare. With the U.S.-Canada tariffs paused, now is the time to rethink sourcing strategies and strengthen local networks.
Our guest expert Sarah shared some key tips:
Go local. Join buy-and-sell groups or collector communities in your area. Vintage is all about storytelling — why not start in your own backyard?
Make connections. Host events with fellow sellers to expand your audience. Strength in numbers.
Optimize your online presence. Make sure your shop is easy to find. Update SEO-friendly descriptions, list shipping details clearly and highlight your location to attract regional buyers.
This situation is evolving, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our full discussion with Sarah dives even deeper into what these tariffs mean for the vintage world, and what you can do next.
Catch the full conversation below on YouTube (the tariffs conversation begins around the 30-minute mark) and follow us on Instagram for timely updates.
How do you anticipate tariffs affecting your buying and selling? Let us know in the comments!
