If you are considering taking on a new tile project, whether you are working on your DIY tile project budgeting or hiring an expert to install it for you, you are probably concerned about the cost of tile, especially with recent tile tariffs affecting prices and if they will be more expensive – tariffs (and you might be thinking about Chinese tile exports).
We want to provide you with information about our line of products, such as, where most of the tile comes from, factors that drive the cost of construction materials (including tile), and our informed opinion about what to expect shortly when it comes to tile pricing.
Understanding tile tariffs is crucial for anyone planning a renovation or new construction, as these tariffs can significantly influence the overall budget.
Where is the tile made?
According to Statista, in 2023 China and India were the largest tile-manufacturing countries, as well as the largest exporters.
Other countries that make the list of ceramic products are:
India, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Mexico.
The US is the largest importer of ceramic products with 16.7 % of the total world’s imports (that’s a whopping 7.95 billion dollars as of 2023).
China Tile Exports
According to one source, China is the largest exporter of tiles in the world. And the US is the single largest importer of tile in the world.
Most of the tile products that come through US ports come from China and India.
As of April 8th, the US is set to impose a massive 104% on all Chinese imports, with some additional product-specific tariffs, (not including tile or any construction materials) such as Electric Vehicles, Semiconductors, and Lithium Ion-EV batteries.
Impact of Tile Tariffs on Your Budget
The administration is using these tariffs to address trade imbalances and concerns over national security, to which the Chinese government has responded with high tariffs on U.S. products.
We asked Chat GPT on April 8th “How will the 104% tariff affect the cost of tile”?
And this is the response we got:
Here’s How the Tariff Impacts Tile Costs:
Current Price Example (Before Tariffs):
- Let’s say a Chinese-made porcelain tile costs $2.00 per square foot wholesale.
After 104% Tariff:
- The tariff adds $2.08 per square foot (104% of $2.00).
- New wholesale price = $4.08 per square foot
- Consumer price (after markup by retailers/installers) could be around $5.50–$6.00 per square foot, up from $3.00–$3.50 before.
Example for a Home Renovation (300 sq ft area, e.g., kitchen + bathroom):
| Scenario | Cost Before Tariff | Cost After 104% Tariff |
| Tile Only (materials) | $900 | $1,650–$1,800 |
| Labor – no real change | – | – |
| Total Increase | — | +$700–$900 |
But Wait – we have a 90-day pause… So for now (as of May 15, 2025) – Effect on The Cost of Tile
| Tile Type | Estimated Retail Change¹ |
| Standard Chinese ceramic (no AD/CVD) | –10% to –20% |
| AD/CVD-subject porcelain/ceramic | –5% to –10% |
| Mediterranean/European imports | No change |
Bottom Line: If you’ve been quoted $3.50/sq ft before the tariff truce, expect that same SKU to drop to roughly $2.80–3.15/sq ft (for non-AD/CVD lines) once local distributors adjust. AD/CVD-hit products will see smaller relief—think a few cents off per square foot—while tiles already sourced outside China won’t move at all.
The tile in stock will vary depending on the region in the US, as different vendors stock on tile that comes from different countries, and this will vary depending on the store you visit.
What is the #1 Country of Origin of the Tile sold at Mann Tile?
Most of the tiles at Mann Tile are from Italy and Spain. We have a good variety of US-made tiles, and we do have some mosaics that come from China.
Rob’s thoughts and professional advice (from the Englewood perspective).
The tile industry is resilient, it’s been around for millennia – living in Englewood, Venice, and North Port, you can safely keep buying tile. The finest tile will be from Italy or Spain. China, as you would expect leads in value production (cheap Chinese imports).
Conclusions:
Since this is a developing story, and the tariff situation is volatile and unpredictable, it is very hard to give an accurate prediction of how much prices will change. There are other factors as well that will impact the cost of tile and other commodities. People will perhaps be more aware of the country of origin of their tile and maybe gravitate towards tile that comes from “lower-tariff countries”, as this will ultimately be reflected in costs. Perhaps the production of American-made tile will increase. Feel free to visit us or call us for recommendations!
Sources and notes
Tile cost
https://www.floorcoveringweekly.com/main/features/tile-weathers-the-storm-43401
Major tile manufacturing countries
https://www.statista.com/statistics/939329/global-leading-ceramic-tile-manufacturing-countries
Construction costs will increase:
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/05/how-tariffs-could-affect-home-prices.html
Tile
https://www.nahb.org/blog/2024/04/tile-tariff
About imports and tariffs.
https://www.floorcoveringweekly.com/main/topnews/import-cargo-levels-continue-to-rise-44580
Steel and aluminum
Tile made in China
https://georgebuildings.com/top-10-tile-manufacturers-in-china-the-complete-guide