China supplied 40% of nonhousehold outdoor seat imports from January to August 2026, down from 70% a year earlier

China supplied 40.0% of U.S. imports of nonhousehold outdoor seats by value from January through August 2026, down from 69.7% in the same months of 2025, according to Census Bureau trade data. Vietnam's share rose from 12.2% to 32.1%, and Cambodia's from 4.0% to 13.3%. The total changed little: $484.8 million in the first eight months of 2026, 1.5% less than the $492.4 million a year earlier. In August 2026 alone, seats from China were valued at $15.3 million and seats from Vietnam at $15.1 million.

The figures cover the four lines of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS, the U.S. list of product codes and duty rates) for outdoor seats that are not household seats: seats with metal frames under 9401.79.00, and seats of plastics other than reinforced or laminated plastics under 9401.80.40, each split by whether the seat has textile cushions or textile seating or backing. The values are general imports at customs value, which Census defines as the price paid for the goods when sold for export to the United States, excluding U.S. import duties, freight and insurance.

Where the seats came fromVietnam's share passed China's in one month, March 2026

China's monthly share was 80.5% in August 2024 and 48.8% in August 2025. It reached its low for the 25 months in March 2026, at 32.9%, the only month in which Vietnam's share, 39.2%, was larger. In August 2026 China's share was 36.7% and Vietnam's 36.1%, the narrowest gap between the two in the period.

The total value of these imports follows the season. It was highest from February through April in 2025 and from March through June in 2026, and lowest in October and November of 2024 and 2025. August 2026 came to $41.8 million, 31.4% above August 2025 and 26.3% below July 2026.

By countryImports from China fell 43.5% as Vietnam's rose 158.4%

Over the first eight months of the year, imports from China fell 43.5% to $193.9 million. Imports from Vietnam rose 158.4% to $155.5 million, and from Cambodia 226.6% to $64.3 million. Malaysia rose from $0.5 million to $8.8 million. Indonesia and Bangladesh each supplied a little over 2% in both years.

By type of seatMetal-frame seats with textile made up 85.2% of the value

Metal-frame seats with textile cushions or sling seating, line 9401.79.00.15, made up 85.2% of the value in the first eight months of 2026, $413.0 million. Most of the shift happened on this line, where China's share fell from 72.8% to 38.0%. Metal-frame seats without textile fell 30.6% in value to $52.8 million, and China still supplied 55.6% of them. The two plastic lines are small, at $5.3 million and $13.7 million.

The household outdoor seat lines moved further. China's share of those four lines fell from 59.3% to 25.4% over the same months, and Vietnam's rose from 23.3% to 43.7%, making Vietnam the largest supplier of household outdoor seats.

Value per seatSeats from China averaged $7.21, and from Vietnam $14.24

Census also reports the number of seats entered for consumption. Dividing value by count gives an average of $9.87 a seat across all countries in 2026, against $11.81 in 2025. Seats from China averaged $7.21, from Cambodia $9.23 and from Vietnam $14.24.

Each line mixes products from folding sling chairs to cushioned lounge seating, so these averages show the product mix as much as any change in price.

Duties by originThe July 2026 notice sets 12.5 percent for China and Vietnam, and 10 percent for Cambodia

The general duty on all four lines is free. Additional duties depend on the country of origin. In ruling NY N343273 of October 2024, CBP held that products of China in 9401.79.00.15 and 9401.79.00.35 owe the 2018 Section 301 duty of 25 percent, reported under 9903.88.04.

From July 24, 2026, the U.S. Trade Representative added Section 301 duties on products of 60 economies over forced-labor import rules. The notice sets 12.5 percent for products of China and Vietnam and 10 percent for products of Cambodia, with exceptions listed in its annexes. August 2026 was the first full month of entries at those rates. The Census figures record the origin and value of each entry, and the reasons an importer chose a supplier fall outside them. The tariff guide lists the rates by economy and how they combine with the 2018 China duty.

CaveatsThe August 2026 figures are first estimates

The August 2026 figures are first estimates. Census revises the prior month with each monthly release to add transactions that arrived late, and each June it revises the previous three years. September 2026 data are scheduled for November 4, 2026.

The data are not seasonally adjusted. Census adjusts trade data for season only at the level of broad end-use categories, so this article compares January to August with the same months a year earlier.

The nonhousehold lines take more than furniture for hotels, restaurants and parks. In ruling NY N343273, CBP placed seats on hunting tree stands in 9401.79.00.15 and 9401.79.00.35.

Country of origin is where the goods were made or last substantially transformed, under the rules of origin Census cites, and it can differ from the country the goods shipped from. Customs value leaves out duties, ocean freight and inland freight, so it is lower than the landed cost a buyer pays.