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Trump’s Tariffs

April 2025 brought some big news for companies exporting to the U.S. With the Trump administration’s latest round of tariffs targeting all goods coming into the country, the cost of importing catamarans into the United States may be higher.

trumps tariffs

For American buyers, this may mean tough decisions. For international manufacturers, it’s a maze to navigate. These new tariffs will affect the price, your delivery schedule, and your sailing plans.

But there are options — both legal and strategic — for navigating the storm.


The New Global Tariff Map

Here’s how catamaran-producing countries stack up after the new tariffs.
For a full list of the proposed tariffs by country (sortable), please head to the bottom of this page.

CountryNew Tariff Rate
E.U. (France, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Finland etc.)20%
China34%
Vietnam46%
Thailand37%
Indonesia32%
Argentina10%
South Africa31%
UK10%
Turkey10%
Australia10%

Who’s in the Crosshairs? Major Multihull Manufacturers by Region

European Union (20% Tariff)

  • Impact: These heavyweights dominate the cruising cat space. A 20% bump is painful but possibly manageable for buyers, especially if brands offer partial absorption or U.S. assembly workarounds.

South Africa (31%)

  • Impact: South African builders have historically offered great value for quality. That edge is going to be hit by the steep 31% tariff.

Vietnam (46%)

  • Impact: Vietnam is hit the hardest. With tariffs at 47%, builders will be exploring alternatives.

China (34%)

  • Impact: Already under trade scrutiny, Chinese brands are hit with a steep hike.

United Kingdom (10%)

  • Impact: The UK is looking at a 10% tariff as a non-EU entity, depending on future trade deals. This could give UK-based brands a relative advantage. However, the industry is small these days.

What Can U.S. Buyers Do?

1. Take Delivery Abroad

You can take delivery in the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, or Turkey, and keep your boat out of U.S. waters to avoid import duties. Many charter programs support this approach.

2. Buy Used

Used catamarans already in the U.S. won’t be affected by these tariffs. Expect a boom in the used market — and rising prices.

3. Negotiate With the Builder

Some manufacturers may offer to absorb part of the tariff, offer U.S.-based final assembly, or explore alternative delivery methods.

4. Explore Loopholes Carefully

Registering under a foreign flag and cruising internationally is legal but comes with complications around financing, insurance, and U.S. port access.


What Can Manufacturers Do?

Relocate or Diversify Production

  • Moving production.
  • Others may follow suit, moving to countries with lower duties or even to the U.S. itself — though high labor costs and material tariffs make this tricky.

Offer Knock-Down Kits or Local Assembly

Final assembly in the U.S. might allow for reduced tariffs in some cases. This strategy is complex but could become more common.

Partner With U.S. Dealers

Strong partnerships could help with logistics, financing, and end-user support, creating a smoother buyer experience despite rising costs.


Top 10 Yacht Manufacturing Countries (2025)

1. France – Undisputed #1 for sailing catamarans
Major Brands: Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Outremer, Nautitech (via Bavaria), Bali (Catana)

Strength: High-volume production, excellent design pedigree, strong global dealer networks

Exports: Substantial, especially to the U.S., Caribbean, and Europe

2. South Africa – Custom & performance sailing cats
Major Brands: Leopard (Robertson & Caine), Balance Catamarans, Knysna, Kinetic, Maverick

Strength: Quality craftsmanship, good value, and strong reputation for bluewater performance

Exports: Heavily focused on the U.S. and charter fleets

3. Vietnam – Rising manufacturing hub
Major Brands: Seawind, Rapido Trimarans, MaxCruise Marine

Strength: Cost-effective, performance-oriented builds, expanding infrastructure

Exports: U.S., Australia, Europe; Seawind particularly strong in the Pacific market

4. China – Power cats & high-end composites
Major Brands: Aquila, HH Catamarans, Sunreef (select models), McConaghy (multinational)

Strength: Cutting-edge technology, strong in power catamarans, carbon fiber

Exports: U.S., Australia, Europe, Middle East

5. United Kingdom– Low-volume, niche
Major Brands: Dazcat, Broadblue, Archipelago Yachts (Aluminium)

Strength: Local buying appeal, some day-charter and trawler-cat focus

Exports: US, domestic sales

6. Turkey – Emerging base for international brands
Major Players: New Seawind facility, Sirena Marine, boutique builders

Strength: Favourable labor costs, strong in composite builds, growing rapidly

Exports: Europe, U.S., Middle East

7. Poland – Becoming a boatbuilding powerhouse
Major Brands: Sunreef Yachts, Moon Yachts, Viko Yachts (small catamarans), and subcontractors

Strength: Top-tier craftsmanship, growing luxury segment

Exports: Europe, U.S., private owners and luxury market

8. Italy – Stylish and fast-growing niche market
Brands: Silent Yachts (solar-electric cats), C-Catamarans, ITA Catamarans

Strength: Focus on innovation (e.g., solar, hybrid), sleek design ethos

Exports: High-end private market globally

9. Australia – Long history, now mainly design and semi-custom
Major Brands: Older Seawind heritage, Lightwave Yachts

Strength: Legacy of robust ocean-going designs

Exports: Regional; many builders moved production offshore (e.g., Vietnam)

10. Argentina – Regional manufacturing and charter support
Brands: Atares

Strength: Regional production, competitive pricing

Exports: US, Latin America and Caribbean

Honorable Mentions:
Portugal – home to Trimarine Composites
Slovenia – Elan and Seascape contribute designs
Germany – Bavaria (owns Nautitech brand)
Philippines – smaller yards, some outsourcing (HH)
Thailand – Custom cats, charter-focused, eg Andaman Yachts.

Summary: Navigating the New Waters

These new tariffs are more than a speed bump — they’re a strategic change in the market. Whether you’re a weekend sailor planning your dream boat or a builder focused on the U.S. market, adaptation will be key.

Buyers will need to think globally, plan smartly, and perhaps wait for dust to settle.
Builders will need to innovate — in manufacturing, logistics, and customer support — to stay afloat in the world’s biggest leisure marine market.

In the world of catamarans, boats can sail across borders, but tariffs are bad news, just like in other industries. Ultimately, these new tariffs are an additional tax on US customers buying boats in their country.

But in any situation such as this, there are opportunities as well as threats.

List of all Trump Tariffs by Country

Sortable. Searchable.

Country New US Tariffs (%)
China34
European Union20
Vietnam46
Taiwan32
Japan24
India26
South Korea25
Thailand36
Switzerland31
Indonesia32
Malaysia24
Cambodia49
United Kingdom10
South Africa30
Brazil10
Bangladesh37
Singapore10
Israel17
Philippines17
Chile10
Australia10
Pakistan29
Turkey10
Sri Lanka44
Colombia10
Peru10
Nicaragua18
Norway15
Costa Rica10
Jordan20
Dominican Republic10
United Arab Emirates10
New Zealand10
Argentina10
Ecuador10
Guatemala10
Honduras10
Madagascar47
Myanmar44
Tunisia28
Kazakhstan27
Serbia37
Egypt10
Saudi Arabia10
El Salvador10
Côte d’Ivoire21
Laos48
Botswana37
Trinidad and Tobago10
Morocco10
Algeria30
Oman10
Uruguay10
Bahamas10
Lesotho50
Ukraine10
Bahrain10
Qatar10
Mauritius40
Fiji32
Iceland10
Kenya10
Liechtenstein37
Guyana38
Haiti10
Bosnia and Herzegovina35
Nigeria14
Namibia21
Brunei24
Bolivia10
Panama10
Venezuela15
North Macedonia33
Ethiopia10
Ghana10
Moldova31
Angola32
Democratic Republic of the Congo11
Jamaica10
Mozambique16
Paraguay10
Zambia17
Lebanon10
Tanzania10
Iraq39
Georgia10
Senegal10
Azerbaijan10
Cameroon11
Uganda10
Albania10
Armenia10
Nepal10