Current Tariff Rates for Key Lab Supply Countries
| Country | Total Tariff (as of April 2025) |
|---|---|
| China | 145% |
| Canada | 25% (non-USMCA goods); 10% (energy, potash) |
| Mexico | 25% (non-USMCA goods); 10% (energy, potash) |
| All Other Countries | 10% |
Country-by-Country Analysis
China: Critical Supplier Now Cost-Prohibitive
Key Products: Microscopes, electronics, glassware
Tariff Impact: The 145% tariff has drastically raised costs on essential lab goods. Labs are encouraged to shift to domestic or non-Chinese sources where possible.
Canada & Mexico: Regional Partners Under Pressure
Key Products: Cold storage, surgical tools, animal caging
Tariff Impact: 25% tariffs on non-USMCA goods and 10% on energy/potash create added costs. Labs should confirm supplier compliance with USMCA.
All Other Countries: Universal 10% Tariff
Key Products: Various lab consumables and instruments
Tariff Impact: A standard 10% tariff applies across the board. Labs are still advised to assess volume discounts or domestic alternatives.
How Labs Can Respond: Actionable Strategies
- Audit Supplier Origin and Tariff Exposure – Map out the country of origin for all lab SKUs to identify opportunities to lower exposure.
- Rebalance Sourcing – Shift procurement toward U.S.-made or USMCA-compliant goods to reduce tariff impact.
- Partner with Local Distributors – Distributors like ARES Scientific maintain domestic stock to help bypass global shipping and tariff issues.
American-Made Lab Equipment: ARES Scientific Highlights
| Manufacturer | Product Category |
|---|---|
| Animal Care Systems | Vivarium housing systems |
| Corepoint | Cold storage, lab incubators |
| Alternative Design | Modular caging, lab furniture |
| Gruenberg | Lab ovens, sterilizers |
| Mopec | Pathology and necropsy equipment |
Offsetting Tariffs: Cost-Saving Moves for Labs
- Join Cooperative Purchasing Groups – Aggregate purchases for better pricing and freight efficiency.
- Shift to Reusable and Durable Labware
- Autoclavable glassware
- Reusable stainless steel tools
- Silicone-based stoppers and seals
