n 2025, lumber tariffs are creating significant challenges for manufacturers across the U.S., and pallet producers are feeling the pressure firsthand. With the cost of importing softwood lumber from countries like Canada rising due to ongoing trade disputes, domestic lumber prices have surged.

Pallets, which rely heavily on low-cost, high-volume lumber, are now subject to fluctuating raw material costs. This has a direct impact on pricing for logistics companies, wholesalers, and small businesses that rely on consistent pallet supply. The additional costs aren’t just absorbed by manufacturers — they ripple down to the end user, making everything from produce shipping to retail stocking more expensive.

For businesses dependent on just-in-time delivery, this instability can be the difference between profit and loss. As tariffs remain a political bargaining chip, pallet buyers should consider securing supply through reliable, local partners and discussing long-term contracts that lock in prices where possible.