Supreme Court IEEPA Ruling Reshapes the Tariff Picture for Sauna Importers
The February 2026 ruling struck down IEEPA tariffs, but the 10-15% Section 122 replacement keeps pressure on European sauna imports.
On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the president to impose tariffs. The decision invalidated the IEEPA-based tariff regime that had been applied to imports from multiple countries, including the EU's member states where most premium sauna equipment originates.
For about 72 hours, it looked like the tariff burden on European imports might ease. Then the administration moved.
The Section 122 Replacement
On the same day as the ruling, President Trump issued a Proclamation imposing a replacement 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The new surcharge took effect February 24, 2026, and applies for a 150-day period (through July 24, 2026). The following day, via social media, the president announced the rate would be set at 15%, the statutory maximum under Section 122.
For sauna importers, the practical impact is clear: European heaters, controls, and wood products still face a meaningful surcharge on top of their base duty rates. The mechanism changed; the cost pressure didn't.
What It Means for the Sauna Industry
Harvia, HUUM, Narvi, IKI, and thermally modified wood producers like Thermory and Lunawood ship the bulk of the premium sauna products sold in North America. These products already carry base duties (sauna heaters at HTS 8516.29 face a 3.7% base rate, prefab sauna cabins at HTS 9406.10 face 2.6%), and the Section 122 surcharge stacks on top.
Industry sources estimate importers and their customers are absorbing 96% of tariff costs, consistent with broader economic research on tariff incidence. Some distributors pre-loaded inventory ahead of the February effective date. Others are passing costs through via mid-year price increases of 5-15% depending on product category. Not all brands face the same exposure: Chinese-manufactured sauna kits carry a 145% tariff rate, far above the 15% rate on European imports.
The mechanism changed but the math didn't. Importers still need to price for a 15% surcharge on top of base duties, at least through July.
What Happens After July 24?
Section 122 authority is limited to 150 days. After July 24, the administration would need congressional action or a different legal mechanism to maintain the surcharge. Trade lawyers are watching closely, but the political dynamics of an election cycle make predictions difficult. Importers should plan for multiple scenarios.
The IEEPA ruling was a significant legal check on executive tariff authority, but the Section 122 replacement means sauna importers aren't getting relief anytime soon. Plan for 15% surcharges through at least late July, and model for the possibility of a new tariff mechanism after that.
Arlene Scott
Senior Wellness Correspondent & Hospitality Consultant
Arlene Scott brings over fifteen years of reporting and consulting experience across energy infrastructure, sustainable design, and thermotherapy-focused hospitality.
Full byline
Arlene Scott is a Senior Wellness Correspondent for SaunaNews.com, bringing over fifteen years of experience at the intersection of energy infrastructure, sustainable design, and thermotherapy. Her work focuses on the physiological benefits of passive heat therapies and the sustainable integration of sauna culture into modern wellness routines.
Arlene's background is rooted in the clean energy transition. She was a founding writer at MicrogridMedia.com, where she covered the technical and economic viability of desalination projects, microgrid deployments, and distributed renewable energy systems. During the mid-2010s, she was a regular contributor to Greentech Media (GTM) during its independent era — prior to the Wood Mackenzie acquisition in 2016 — reporting on the early integration of thermal energy storage and sustainable infrastructure.
Transitioning her focus from macro-energy systems to human-scale wellness, Arlene now applies her technical background to the hospitality sector. She operates as an independent consultant, advising boutique hotels and eco-resorts on the design, energy efficiency, and historical authenticity of commercial sauna and thermal spa installations. Her consulting work ensures that high-end wellness facilities balance traditional Nordic bathing principles with modern sustainable engineering.
Arlene holds a specialized certification in Applied Thermic Wellness from the Nordic Institute of Passive Heat Studies (NIPHS) and is a recognized associate member of the International Sauna Association (ISA). When she isn't reviewing the latest innovations in infrared technology or consulting on a new resort project, Arlene can be found tending to her own traditional wood-fired sauna in the Pacific Northwest. You can read her complete archive of essays on energy, wellness, and sustainable living at www.arlenescott.com.
