Barrier Gates
Sourcing Guide & Market Intelligence

Elevated Tariffs are increasing prices for law enforcement, security, and safety equipment

• The Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs, which place broad tariffs on all imports from most US trade partners, are set to take effect on August 7 after the tariff rates were finalized on August 1.
• As a result, all foreign suppliers in law enforcement, security, and safety equipment will face significantly increased costs when selling products to US buyers, and domestic manufacturers of these goods will face higher costs when sourcing key inputs for these products.
• Countries such as China, Germany, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam are leading sources of imports in this sector, providing high quantities of goods such as safes, locks, security cameras, security systems, and personal protective equipment. Starting August 7, imports from China, Germany, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam will be subject to tariff rates of 54.0%, 15.0%, 25.0%, 20.0%, and 19.0% respectively.
• Elevated tariffs are likely to impact pricing and supply chains in this industry due to the United States’ reliance on imported manufactured goods, which gives foreign suppliers the leverage to pass through the costs of tariffs to buyers and domestic suppliers the leverage to raise prices.
• Consequently, the Yale Budget Lab projects a 39.2% average increase in metal product prices, impacting products such as security gates and safes. Electronic security devices, such as cameras or metal detectors, are projected to rise by 18.7% in price. In the personal protective equipment market, prices are forecast to rise by between 11.0% and 37.5%, depending on the type of equipment and materials used to make it.

United States announces new tariffs on all imported steel

• In February 2025, the United States announced 25.0% tariffs on all imported steel with no exemptions or exceptions. The tariffs took effect on March 12, 2025. On June 4th, these tariffs were increased further to 50%. These tariffs were not impacted by a recent court decision that temporarily suspended duties on certain goods as they were implemented under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
• Previously, countries such as Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, the top exporters of steel to the United States, had exemptions from tariffs. These have now been removed and all imported steel, regardless of origin, will be subject to the 50.0% tariff. However, on May 8th, the US announced an agreement with the United Kingdom to remove all levies on steel exported from the UK.
• When tariffs on steel imports were introduced in March 2018, they contributed to an increase in the price of steel and steel products. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of steel-milled products increased by 10.2% in the year after the tariffs were implemented. This market heavily relies on steel as an input and may be impacted by this policy.

United States announces new tariffs on all imported aluminum

• In February 2025, the United States announced 25.0% tariffs on all imported aluminum with no exemptions or exceptions. The tariffs took effect on March 12, 2025. On June 4th, these tariffs were increased further to 50%. These tariffs were not impacted by a recent court decision that temporarily suspended duties on certain goods as they were implemented under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
• Previously, countries such as Canada and Mexico, two of the top exporters of aluminum to the United States, had exemptions from tariffs and the rate was only 10.0%. These have now been removed and all imported aluminum, regardless of origin, will be subject to the 50.0% tariff.
• When tariffs on imported aluminum were implemented in March 2018, aluminum prices rose modestly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), prices rose 1.2% in the year after the tariffs were introduced. Because this market relies on aluminum as an input, it may be impacted by this policy.