Canadian Tariffs on U.S. Beauty & Skincare Products – What It Means for You
By: Ivonne Sanchez | BLOG.IVONNE.CA BY | IVONNE
Published on: February 2, 2025 at 2:41 p.m.
Current Status (Updated September 2026)
Canada's tariff position on U.S. beauty and professional aesthetic products has changed again. On September 8, 2026, Canada implemented a new round of targeted counter-tariffs on certain U.S.-origin goods, following the United States' imposition of additional tariffs on Canadian products. The new Canadian measures apply surtaxes of 15%, 25% or 50%, depending on the product and applicable tariff classification.
Importantly for the beauty and aesthetics industry, several products within the cosmetics and personal-care tariff classifications are specifically included in the new 50% counter-tariff schedule. These include certain lip makeup, eye makeup, manicure and pedicure preparations, as well as certain hair preparations and perfumes.
However, this does not mean that every skincare or professional aesthetic product purchased from a U.S. company is automatically subject to a 50% tariff. The tariff treatment depends on several factors, including the product's tariff classification, country of origin and applicable trade treatment. In particular, the fact that a product is purchased from a U.S. distributor does not, by itself, establish that the product is U.S.-origin.
What This Means for Professional Clinics
For professional clinics, this distinction matters. A Canadian clinic purchasing a professional skincare product from a U.S.-based supplier may need to determine where the product was manufactured, how it is classified under Canada's Customs Tariff and whether any preferential treatment or counter-tariff applies.
The result is a more complicated environment than simply “U.S. products now cost 50% more.”
What Happened
In February 2025, the Canadian government imposed a 25% tariff on select luxury beauty, skincare, and personal care products imported from the United States. This was a direct response to newly imposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, part of an escalating trade dispute between the two countries.
For boutique cosmetic clinics like ours—and for clients who invest in premium skincare and aesthetic treatments—this led to higher prices for U.S.-sourced beauty products and supplies during the months the tariffs were active.
Those original counter-tariffs were removed on September 1, 2025 for goods compliant with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), giving the beauty industry roughly a year of relief before the September 2026 measures introduced a new—and differently structured—set of surtaxes.
Products That Were Affected
The tariffs targeted high-end beauty products imported from the U.S., affecting both consumers and businesses in the cosmetic and aesthetics industry.
Cosmetics & Skincare
- Luxury skincare brands (serums, moisturizers, anti-aging treatments)
- Professional-grade medical skincare products
- High-end makeup (foundations, lipsticks, premium eyeshadows)
- Luxury fragrances and perfumes
Personal Care & Aesthetic Treatment Products
- Medical-grade sunscreens and skincare essentials
- Professional post-treatment recovery products
- Luxury bath and body care (soaps, scrubs, body oils)
- Hair restoration and scalp treatments
How Tariffs Work: Who Pays?
Many consumers wonder who actually bears the cost when tariffs are in effect. The reality is that these additional costs get passed down to the buyer in different ways:
Ordering Directly from a U.S. Supplier
When purchasing beauty or skincare products directly from a U.S. supplier, your shipping carrier—such as UPS, FedEx, or Canada Post—collects the applicable duties and taxes upon delivery. This means you pay extra fees before receiving your package, which can significantly increase the total cost of your order.
Buying from a Canadian Retailer
When purchasing a U.S.-made product from a Canadian retailer, that business has already paid the import tariffs. To cover these additional costs, they raise their prices, meaning the consumer ultimately pays more at checkout.
In both cases, tariffs result in higher prices for Canadian consumers—whether through added delivery fees or increased retail prices. Even after tariffs are lifted, prices don't always come back down immediately.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 4, 2025 | Canada imposes 25% counter-tariffs on select U.S. consumer goods, including beauty and skincare products, in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. |
| March 2025 | Tariffs expanded to additional U.S. product categories. Trade tensions escalate. |
| September 1, 2025 | Canada removes 25% counter-tariffs on CUSMA-compliant U.S. goods—including most cosmetics and skincare. Tariffs remain on steel, aluminum, and autos. |
| April 2026 | Counter-tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos remain. Most beauty products trade tariff-free under CUSMA. 85% of Canada-U.S. trade is now tariff-free. |
| September 8, 2026 | Canada implements a new round of targeted counter-tariffs on certain U.S.-origin goods, with surtaxes of 15%, 25% or 50% depending on tariff classification. Several cosmetics and personal-care categories—certain lip makeup, eye makeup, manicure and pedicure preparations, hair preparations and perfumes—fall under the 50% schedule. |
How This Affected Our Clinic & Clients
Many of our skincare brands and treatment supplies come from both Canada and the U.S. During the original tariff period, this impacted pricing and availability. As a boutique cosmetic clinic, we worked to find solutions that kept our treatments accessible while maintaining the highest quality standards.
The removal of the first round of tariffs in September 2025 eased that pressure, but the September 2026 counter-tariffs reintroduce cost and sourcing considerations for some U.S.-origin products—this time with the added complexity of determining, product by product, whether a surtax actually applies.
At IVONNE, we therefore evaluate our sourcing based not only on price, but also on product origin, regulatory requirements, availability, efficacy and supply-chain risk. Where appropriate, we continue to diversify our suppliers and favour Canadian and other non-U.S. sources when doing so does not compromise product quality, safety or clinical performance.
Looking Ahead
Trade policy between Canada and the U.S. continues to evolve. We monitor developments closely and adjust our sourcing to minimize any impact on our clients. All existing packages and scheduled appointments are always honoured at their original pricing.
Where to Get More Information
For the official list of affected products and current tariff status, visit: Canada's Response to U.S. Tariffs – Department of Finance
The Cosmetics Alliance Canada also provides industry-specific updates on trade policy affecting beauty and personal care products.
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