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Pool Tariffs Are Coming, Buckle Up

Proposed pool tariffs could impact equipment, chemicals, and supplies—raising costs and disrupting 2025 for pool pros and pool owners.

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Pool Tariffs Are Coming, Buckle Up

As summer approaches, the pool and spa industry typically prepares for peak demand with an eye on weather patterns, staffing, and material supply. This year, however, an unexpected wildcard has entered the equation: proposed import tariffs from President Donald Trump. A sweeping trade plan includes a universal 10% tariff on all imported goods and country-specific tariffs as high as 60%—targeting major export nations like China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. These moves could lead to widespread disruptions in pricing, inventory availability, and business strategy across the industry.

While much of the mainstream discussion has focused on global economics, pool professionals are already bracing for a tangible, near-term impact on the supplies that power their day-to-day operations—from pool pumps and patio furniture to chlorine tablets and algaecides.

Pool Tariffs: Countries With Major Increases

🇨🇳 China: Equipment and Essential Components Under Threat

With a proposed 60% tariff on Chinese imports, the pressure on manufacturers and distributors will be immediate. China is a key supplier of:

  1. Variable-speed pumps
  2. Pool filters and filter cartridges
  3. LED lighting
  4. Control panels and automation systems
  5. PVC fittings and plumbing parts

These aren’t just high-ticket items; they’re foundational to virtually every new pool build and maintenance route. For builders who spec out entire equipment pads and service companies that stock up for summer maintenance, these costs could spike sharply.

“Higher tariffs on Chinese goods mean we’ll either have to absorb the cost or increase prices across the board,” said Brian Turmail, spokesperson for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). In an interview with Construction Dive, Turmail emphasized that “uncertainty is worse than the tariffs themselves” because it disrupts the ability to plan and price projects effectively.

In the pool world, that uncertainty could result in fewer homeowners committing to backyard upgrades—or worse, delay or cancel their pool builds altogether.

🇻🇳 Vietnam: Outdoor Living Just Got Pricier

Vietnam has emerged as a dominant supplier of outdoor furnishings, including teak and synthetic rattan poolside loungers, umbrellas, shade structures, and pergolas. With a proposed 46% tariff, luxury outdoor living upgrades could become significantly more expensive.

High-end pool contractors and landscape designers often rely on Vietnamese-made furniture to finish out resort-style backyards. If prices skyrocket or lead times extend, many may be forced to switch to domestic or lower-tier alternatives that compromise style, comfort, or durability.

🇹🇼 Taiwan: Plumbing and Hardware Vulnerabilities

Taiwan, which faces a 32% tariff under the proposal, is a major exporter of essential pool parts including:

  1. Check valves and unions
  2. Actuators and diverter valves
  3. PVC components
  4. Steel hardware and brackets

Although often unseen by the end user, these components are vital for building and repairing pools. Pool plumbers and installers will find themselves paying more for the basic building blocks of their systems, with the potential for backorders as suppliers scramble to adjust.

💥 The Universal 10% Tariff: Chlorine, Acid, and Chemical Supplies

Perhaps most concerning for service pros is the universal 10% tariff on all imported goods, which would hit pool chemicals especially hard. While the U.S. manufactures many of its pool chemicals domestically, a significant share—especially in the offseason—is still imported from countries like China, India, and Canada.

Imports of:

  1. Trichlor tablets
  2. Sodium bicarbonate (alkalinity increaser)
  3. Calcium chloride (hardness increaser)
  4. Sodium bisulfate and muriatic acid
  5. Specialty algaecides and phosphate removers

…could all see price increases under the new tariff plan.

After back-to-back years of chemical shortages due to pandemic-era supply chain issues and the catastrophic 2020 BioLab fire, the industry has only recently stabilized. Another round of price hikes or delivery delays could be a painful setback.

According to a 2025 report by Business Insider, construction and service professionals in other sectors are already warning that tariffs on imported materials will impact “everything from floor tiles to aluminum railings.” The pool industry is no different—chemicals and components are linked together, and increased costs in one area can drive up pricing across the board.

Recent Tariff Updates

Country/RegionTariff RateStatusEffective DateKey Products Impacted
Canada25%ScheduledApril 2, 2025All goods
Canada25%ActiveMarch 4, 2025All goods non-USMCA
Canada (energy)10%ActiveMarch 4, 2025Crude oil, natural gas
Mexico25%ScheduledApril 2, 2025All goods
Mexico25%ActiveMarch 4, 2025All goods non-USMCA
Potash (Canada and Mexico)10% non-USMCA; Exempt USMCA-qualifyingActiveMarch 7, 2025Potash
China20% increaseActiveMarch 4, 2025Broad range of products
Venezuelan Oil Importer Countries25% increaseScheduledApril 2, 2025All goods
Global (steel)25%ActiveMarch 12, 2025Steel products
Global (aluminum)25%ActiveMarch 12, 2025Aluminum products
Global (copper)25%AnnouncedTBDCopper products
European Union25%AnnouncedTBDVarious, cars, wine, spirits, processed foods, luxury items
Reciprocal Tariff PlanVariesScheduledApril 2, 2025Various, depending on other countries’ tariffs on U.S. goods

Industry Source for Data: Pool & Hot Tub Alliance – Tariff Policy – Stay engaged with the PHTA’s website for an ongoing and maintained list of the most recent tariff updates.

Pool Industry Tariffs

Inflation and Planning Pressure

Goldman Sachs recently projected that a tariff wave of this magnitude could push the Fed’s preferred core inflation metric up to 3.5% in 2025, compared to 2.8% in February. Pool professionals are already seeing the ripple effects. Prices of imported gear, chemicals, and finish materials may begin to creep up even before tariffs go into effect, as suppliers preemptively increase margins or shift to more expensive sources.

Contractors who submitted bids in early 2024 based on last year’s pricing could be underwater come installation time, forcing difficult conversations with clients.

What Pool Companies Should Do Now

  1. Review Inventory Sources: Identify products sourced from tariff-impacted countries and work with distributors to plan ahead.
  2. Communicate with Clients: Let homeowners know that material costs may rise due to macroeconomic factors. Transparency builds trust.
  3. Negotiate with Distributors: Lock in pricing where possible, and explore domestic alternatives that won’t be subject to increased tariffs.
  4. Stay Agile with Quotes: Include disclaimers or escalation clauses in contracts to account for unforeseen material cost increases.
  5. Consider Bulk Buys of Chemicals: Especially for service companies, now may be the time to stock up on chlorine and acid before summer surges and tariffs kick in.

What About Vehicles?

Though not at the forefront of pool-specific concerns, the proposed 25% tariff on foreign-made automobiles could also affect the industry. Many pool companies rely on imported service vehicles—like Toyota Tacomas, Nissan NV vans, or Mercedes Sprinter models—for their fleet. If these become more expensive or less available, companies may face additional costs or delays in expanding or maintaining their operations.

Final Thoughts on Pool Industry Tariffs

While it remains to be seen how many of these proposed tariffs will be implemented—or in what form—pool and spa professionals can’t afford to ignore the potential impact. From chlorine tablets and pool pumps to loungers and loadout vehicles, every aspect of the backyard business could be affected.

As the saying goes, plan for the worst and hope for the best. For the pool industry, that means treating this tariff plan as more than just political posturing—it could be a serious challenge to the stability of the 2025 pool season.

4.7/5 - (16 votes)

Joe Trusty

Editor in Chief of Pool Magazine - Joe Trusty is also CEO of PoolMarketing.com, the leading digital agency for the pool industry. An internet entrepreneur, software developer, author, and marketing professional with a long history in the pool industry. Joe oversees the writing and creative staff at Pool Magazine.

To contact Joe Trusty email [email protected] or call (916) 467-9118 during normal business hours. For submissions, please send your message to [email protected]

Industry News

Why Pools Matter: Pool Horizons Takes Its Message Global

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Why Pools Matter: Pool Horizons Takes Its Message Global

For an industry that spends a great deal of time talking about how pools are built, operated and maintained, Pool Horizons is advancing a different conversation: why swimming pools matter in the first place.

Launched in 2023, Pool Horizons is a global initiative bringing together leaders from the swimming pool industry and broader aquatic community to examine and communicate the role pools play in society. Its work focuses on areas including health and wellbeing, community development, water safety and sustainability, with an emphasis on giving the industry research and real-world examples that demonstrate the value of aquatic spaces beyond recreation.

Over the next several months, Pool Horizons will continue that conversation at major industry gatherings in the United States and Europe, with appearances scheduled in Phoenix, Lyon and Atlantic City.

Pool Horizons Heads to the MasterMind Summit

The first stop will be the PHTA & GENESIS MasterMind Summit, taking place September 16–18 at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Arizona.

Pool Horizons will host a two-hour session on Friday, September 18, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., connecting the cultural and social history of swimming pools with the data-backed narrative the industry is working to develop.

Author and historian Jeff Wiltse will explore the history of swimming pools and their enduring social, cultural and economic importance. Attendees will then hear about the latest Pool Horizons initiatives and how that work applies to the U.S. market.

The session will conclude with industry leaders discussing how different stakeholders can work together to better communicate the value of pools and create new opportunities for the industry.

Taking the Conversation to France

The initiative will head overseas in November for Piscine Global 2026 in Lyon, France.

On November 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pool Horizons will present preliminary findings from the Global Aquatic Social Impact Framework (GASIF) pilot study. The project is aimed at developing a more data-driven understanding of the social impact created by swimming pools and aquatic facilities.

Representatives from participating industry associations in France, Spain and the United States will take part, followed by a roundtable examining the challenges and future of the swimming pool industry. Leaders from CF Group, Fluidra, Hayward and Pentair are scheduled to participate in the discussion.

Pool Horizons will make a second appearance in Lyon during Aqualie on November 19 from 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. That session will introduce Pool Horizons and showcase a French public swimming pool Best-in-Class project, providing a real-world example of the role aquatic facilities can play within their communities.

Returning to Connect With The Industry in Atlantic City in 2027

The schedule continues into the new year with the Pool Horizons Summit in Atlantic City on January 25, 2027, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Following its 2026 gathering, Pool Horizons will return with a program that includes a keynote presentation, a new Best-in-Class project and contributions from leading figures throughout the swimming pool industry.

Together, the upcoming events provide Pool Horizons with an opportunity to continue building the conversation on both sides of the pond.

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Industry News

Skimmer Expands Into Pool Construction Software With Acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics

The two software platforms form the foundation of a unified offering for pool professionals; Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds joins Skimmer to lead construction strategy.

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Skimmer Expands Into Pool Construction Software With Acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics

AUSTIN, TX, August 24, 2026 — Skimmer, the leading operating system for pool service and maintenance professionals, today announced the acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics, two software platforms purpose-built for pool construction businesses.

The acquisitions mark Skimmer’s expansion into pool construction and establish the foundation for a unified platform serving pool professionals from construction through ongoing service and maintenance.

As part of the acquisition, Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds, who has extensive experience in the pool construction software space, will join Skimmer, leading the company’s construction strategy and continued investment in solutions for pool builders.

“Our vision is to build an end-to-end platform for the pool and spa industry,” said Jack Nelson, CEO of Skimmer. “Pool Builder Geek brings an AI-native platform designed to evolve quickly with the industry, while Poologics brings a proven product that builders have relied on for years. Together, they significantly accelerate our ability to serve pool construction businesses.”

Pool builders manage complex estimating, permitting, project management, subcontractor coordination, customer communication, and job costing processes. Many still rely on spreadsheets or generic construction tools that were not designed for their specific needs. Pool Builder Geek and Poologics address those challenges with purpose-built capabilities, including estimating, project management, permitting, job costing, and AI-powered visualization.

“Pool builders do not need generic contracting software with a pool label added to it,” said Reynolds. “We built Pool Builder Geek specifically around how pools are sold and built with AI at the core of the platform. Joining Skimmer gives us the resources and expertise to accelerate our product roadmap and deliver even more for the builders we serve. I’m excited about what we can build together and what this means for the future of the pool industry.”

“We built Poologics on the belief that pool construction deserves software designed specifically for the industry,” said Nate Pruitt, CEO of Poologics. “Skimmer has built its business on that same belief for pool service. Together, we can give builders more resources, stronger support, and a faster path to innovation.”

Service and maintenance remain a core focus of Skimmer. The expansion into construction advances the company’s long-term strategy to provide connected, purpose-built tools for pool professionals across the industry.

About Skimmer

Skimmer is one of America’s leading pool service platforms. The company is on a mission to modernize the pool and spa service and repair industry through easy-to-use software and best-in-class support. Over 35,000 pool service professionals servicing 1,000,000+ pools in North America use Skimmer to get organized, get paid faster, and grow their businesses. For more information, visit getskimmer.com.

About Poologics

Poologics is an all-in-one business management platform built specifically for swimming pool builders. It streamlines CRM, estimating, project management, and job costing, helping professionals run their businesses with greater efficiency, accuracy, and control. For more information, visit poologics.com.

About Pool Builder Geek

Pool Builder Geek is an AI-powered project management platform built exclusively for the swimming pool construction and renovation industry. Created by a team with deep experience building software for pool builders, it gives builders purpose-built tools for project tracking, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, budgeting, job costing, and AI-powered backyard visualization. For more information, visit poolbuildergeek.com.

Media contact

Travis Wingate

Skimmer, CMO, [email protected], 416-838-9161

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Industry News

Landmark Aquatic Names Jason Hill Kansas City General Manager

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Jason Hill named Landmark Aquatic Kansas City General Manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Landmark Aquatic, a national leader in commercial aquatic construction and renovation, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jason Hill to General Manager of its Kansas City, Missouri market. Hill brings nearly two decades of commercial aquatic experience to the role, having worked his way through the industry as a laborer, plumber, project superintendent and project manager. That hands-on path through the trades gives him a perspective few general managers share.

“I truly understand the jobs of everyone here,” explains Hill. “It’s not just how they’re supposed to perform, I actually understand their day-to-day struggles, their desire for growth, and their need to have the best tools at their disposal to do their job efficiently.”

As he begins his tenure, Hill said mentorship and workforce development will be a top priority, particularly given how few professionals nationwide specialize in commercial pools.

“The commercial pool industry is such an anomaly,” he said. “As we grow our team, we are not likely to find commercial pool people waiting in our market to be hired, rather I am going to have to make commercial pool people. Training and coaching them is a big part of making that happen.” Hill’s emphasis on training echoes the company culture that earned Landmark a Top Workplace award, given in part for its investment in employee career development.

Hill is already collaborating closely with Landmark’s marketing team to grow the company’s visibility across the Kansas City market, contributing fresh ideas that are helping generate excitement. “I’m excited to compete with our other markets and see how far we can climb,” he said, noting his hometown ties add extra motivation.

With his depth of field experience and people-first approach, Hill is positioned to grow Landmark Aquatic’s presence and reputation throughout the region.

Jason can be reached at [email protected].

About Landmark Aquatic:

Landmark Aquatic is a nationwide provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance services, with more than six decades of industry experience. Serving clients across most of the U.S., Landmark delivers construction-led solutions and on-going support though its AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions. For more about Landmark Aquatic visit www.landmarkaquatic.com.

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