The Vision Council webinar discusses significant tariff implications on optical industry

Image credit: AdobeStock/suriya

In a recent webinar, The Vision Council gave an overview of some of the most significant implications that the latest round of tariff rollouts from the Trump administration has on the optical industry.¹ The webinar was held on March 6, the same day that President Donald Trump signed executive actions that place tariffs on all products from Mexico and Canada covered by the USMCA free trade treaty on delay for nearly a month.² If implemented, the tariffs would increase costs on a wide range of imported goods and materials necessary for eyewear manufacturing and distribution, according to The Vision Council’s news release.

For Chinese-origin materials, a 20% duty tariff has been added (10% effective on February 5, 2025, with another 10% made effective on March 4, 2025) to the previously existing China 301 tariffs and regular duties, ranging from 7.5% to 25%. Some products also face duties as high as 50% to 100%, according to Rick Van Arnam, regulatory affairs counsel for The Vision Council. These tariffs have been imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act due to concerns regarding fentanyl imports. Subsequently, China has retaliated with tariffs on US coal, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, agricultural machinery, cars, and key agricultural products, as well as export controls on critical metals.¹

For instance, eyeglass cases have historically been significantly impacted by customs duties, with Chinese origin seeing a minimum of a 50% total duty.³ Cases with an outer surface made of plastic sheeting other than reinforced or laminated plastic sheeting will have the highest total duty of 65%. Lens equipment, 3D printers, and CAD/CAM and CNC milling systems will also be affected by tariffs for Chinese products. Lens grinding equipment, lens generators, lens finding machines, lens polishers, and lens edgers will have a total duty of 48.10% if of Chinese origin. Lens finishing equipment, lens layout equipment, lens tinting equipment, and lens coating equipment will have a duty total of 47.5%. The milling systems and printers’ total duties will range between 47.5% and 49.2%.³

Contact lenses, frames and lenses made from a variety of materials, binoculars, safety glasses, and optical telescopes including monoculars, all of Chinese origin, will also be affected, with total duties ranging from 27.5% to 30%.³

If implemented, the 25% tariff on goods from Canada are estimated to not significantly affect the optical industry, even with Canada’s retaliatory tariffs imposed. Both the 25% tariffs on Canda and Mexico are cited under national security concerns regarding immigration and fentanyl. Although total duties will depend on whether a product of Canadian or Mexican origin has USMCA eligibility, total duties are expected to range between 25% and 45%.³

Additionally, a 25% tariff affecting steel and aluminum products, including unwrought materials and expanded derivative products, are expected to impact the optical industry. Currently, existing exclusions and quotas have been canceled with no exceptions allowed. An investigation into copper tariffs is also underway, with potential implementation estimated for later this year.¹

Planning or implementation of across-the-board tariff hikes of 10%-20% may also see airtime in the near future. Trump refers to these tariffs as “reciprocal tariffs,” which would impose unique duty rates per product or an aggregate country-wide rate. These tariffs are expected to trigger widespread retaliatory duties from trade partners and would impact pharmaceuticals and EU-origin materials.¹

Arnam said during the webinar that understanding country-of-origin regulations can help those in the optical industry prepare for tariff implementation. “I encourage members of the optical industry to learn more about the country-of-origin issues that will be impacting importers affected by these new tariffs,” said Arnam during the webinar. “Since the 301 tariffs first went into effect in 2018, US Customs has been scrutinizing country-of-origin issues. So, if you find yourself in a situation where you're unclear or unsure of what the actual origin of the product is, then it would greatly benefit you to drill down and to determine whether or not there's been a substantial transformation.”

Next steps and resources

The Vision Council is currently working with policy makers and trade officials to mitigate negative impacts from the tariffs and to represent the optical industry’s interests. “The Vision Council is actively advocating on Capitol Hill for possible tariff relief for our industry. We're working with the relevant committees of jurisdiction that impact the United States Trade Representative, and we are building relationships with members of Congress who can champion our causes,” said Omar Elkhatib, senior manager of Government Relations at The Vision Council, in the release. “We've been told by former and current members of Congress that the pathway we are taking right now is the best path forward, and we are confident that by the time an exception or exemption process arises, we will have the proper groundwork in place to help our members.”

Additionally, members of the optical industry that are The Vision Council members can also access a newly launched Tariff Dashboard to assess which of their products may be most affected by the tariffs. The dashboard pulls import data from the United States International Trade Commission and is complete is a tariff simulator.¹

References:

1. The Vision Council updates industry members on impact of latest tariffs. News release. The Vision Council. March 7, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025.

2. Goldman D. Trump delays some tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month. CNN. March 6, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/06/economy/tariffs-delay-mexico-canada/index.html

3. Tariff Updates Webinar – March 6, 2025. The Vision Council. YouTube. March 7, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025.