The 2026 Quartz Tariffs: What You Need to Know and Why Natural Stone is Making a Comeback

Beginning August 15, the new Quartz Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) officially takes effect, and I want to ensure you are fully prepared for how this will impact your upcoming projects. This government trade measure places strict limits on the amount of imported quartz that can enter the U.S. at lower tariff rates. Once those quota limits are reached, additional imported quartz will be subject to significantly higher tariffs.

Inevitably, this is going to result in substantial cost increases across virtually all quartz products on the market.

The Numbers: What is Actually Happening? To give you a clear picture of the situation, here is a breakdown of how the tariffs will escalate:

• The Baseline: The current tariff on imported quartz sits at 12.5%.
• The Initial Hike: Effective August 15, an additional 25% tariff will be imposed.
• The Quota Limit: The industry-wide import quota is capped at 140 million square feet.
• The Penalty Rate: Once that quota is exceeded, an additional 50% tariff will be applied to any imports beyond that limit.

In practical terms, depending on when the material enters the country and whether the quota has been exhausted, some imported quartz products could ultimately face tariffs totaling as much as 87.5%.

I recently received a direct update from UMI, and while they are working diligently to minimize the impact on our business and have held their pricing for as long as possible, the reality is shifting. They have now confirmed that, effective Q4 2026, there will be a minimum 10% price increase on quartz products. While suppliers are looking for ways to soften the blow, these price increases are unavoidable and will impact all quartz brands and colors.

The Market Shift: Why Natural Stone is Taking Center Stage As quartz becomes more expensive, I am seeing a massive and exciting shift in our industry. Over the past year, demand for natural stone has increased by nearly 30% in many markets as customers actively look for high-quality alternatives to rising quartz prices.

The tide is officially turning. We built our reputation on natural stone, and I firmly believe this is the perfect time to lean back into that strength.

If you are planning a kitchen, bath, or commercial project, I strongly encourage you to explore granite, marble, and quartzite. These natural materials are once again taking center stage, offering unmatched beauty, uniqueness, durability, and long-term value that engineered stones simply cannot replicate.

My Advice for Your Next Project We are proactively communicating this shift so you can make the best financial and design decisions. If your heart is set on quartz, I urge you to finalize your projects and place your orders immediately before the Q4 2026 increases take full effect.

However, if you are open to exploring options, let’s talk about natural stone. We are here to serve as the experts you can rely on to navigate these market changes and find the absolute best material for your space.