In 2008, US imports of wooden furniture (HS codes 940161, 940169, 940330, 940340, 940350, 940360) declined by 10% from the previous year. The largest drop was in imports from Canada (-20%), but shipments from China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Europe also declined.

Only imports from Vietnam increased significantly (+19%). The year 2008 was the first year since 2001 that furniture imports were down because of a combination of factors, including the fall of the US dollar on exchange markets, low housing prices and housing starts, and US consumers cutting back on spending on durable goods like furniture.

In the first quarter of 2009, total furniture imports fell by 20% compared to the same period in the previous year according to data from the US Department of Commerce and the US International Trade Commission. Most wood furniture imports declined even more, from -24% for non- upholstered household wood furniture to -29% for wood kitchen cabinets and countertops.

Canada’s imports of wooden furniture increased by 7% between 2007 and 2008. Remarkably, the highest absolute increase was in imports from the US, helped by the weak US dollar.