Tariffs
The world of US manufacturing is in a state of flux and uncertainty, but as always, you can rely on Townsend Leather.
Our team is expertly staying informed of the changes and outlook, and continuing our stance as a pillar of the industry, in information, proactive reaction, care for customers, and quality of product.
Recent increases in global tariffs have created substantial and unpredictable cost pressures across the entire leather industry and United States manufacturing, especially new tariffs imposed on Europe.
These tariffs directly impact raw materials, machinery, and chemicals used for the leather manufacturing process. The sustained nature of these changes has created a need for adjustments, but the Townsend Leather product will not change.
Our commitment has always been to our customers in crafting the world’s finest leather, and nothing of our process, supply chain, quality, or products will be changing.
Starting May 15, 2025, you will notice a new line item on your invoices labeled “Tariff Surcharge.”
We continue to absorb additional expenses and have made every effort to minimize the impact on you, our customers. Therefore, this fee represents only a portion of the new costs of manufacturing directly tied to tariffs.
As things change in the coming months, you can return to this page for updates from Townsend Leather.
Q: Why is this surcharge necessary?
A: Due to ongoing increases in global tariffs, our industry has faced significant and unpredictable cost pressures. We’ve absorbed as much as possible, but to maintain the level of quality, service, and reliability you expect from us, this adjustment has become necessary.
Q: How was the surcharge amount determined?
A: The surcharge is based on the actual additional costs we are incurring due to tariffs. But it is designed to cover only a portion of the increased expenses.
Q: Will the surcharge change over time?
A: Yes, we will review the surcharge regularly. If tariff conditions change, we’ll adjust the surcharge accordingly to ensure it remains fair and reflects the real impact on our business.
Q: Is the surcharge permanent?
A: The surcharge is tied directly to the current tariff environment. It is not intended to be permanent and will be adjusted or removed if tariffs are reduced or eliminated.
Q: Are there ways to avoid or reduce the surcharge?
A: Depending on the products you order, we can review possible alternative options sourced from countries less affected by tariffs. Your account manager can help explore possibilities with you.
Q: How will the surcharge appear on my invoice?
A: The surcharge will appear as a separate line item labeled “Tariff Surcharge” on your invoice for transparency.
Q: Are other companies doing this too?
A: Yes, the increase in tariffs is affecting companies across our industry. Many have implemented similar measures to manage these additional costs and continue delivering quality products and services.
Other leather companies may turn to a lower quality product as a way of reducing costs, but Townsend Leather is committed to the highest of quality, and our products and processing is not changing.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how this change may affect your upcoming orders, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We value your partnership and your trust as we navigate these industry challenges together.
Thank you for your continued support.
Tricia Martin, SVP of Customer Service on behalf of all of us at Townsend Leather
