Importing Windows from Europe and Trump’s Tariffs: Is It Still Profitable in 2025?
President Trump’s administration has increased tariffs on imported European windows —additional tariffs ranging from 10% to 25% depending on the window material as of April 2025. Naturally, some construction professionals question the profitability of continuing to source windows from Europe.
Especially American developers and construction company owners are looking for ways to improve project margins while minimizing risks. Is importing windows from Europe a viable strategy? Let’s dive into the numbers and facts.
Does it still make sense to import Aluminum and uPVC windows from Europe?
Short answer: Yes. Why and how? Let’s look at the numbers.
With new tariffs introduced by the U.S. government on imported European windows—reaching up to 25% in some categories—many developers and construction firms are now wondering whether importing still makes financial sense.
If you’re concerned that the 25% tariff might eliminate your profit margin, you’re not alone.
Here’s the short answer: in most cases, importing windows from Europe still lets you save between 35% and 50% compared to U.S. suppliers—even after including the new tariffs.
How much profit can you earn importing windows from Europe?
Until now, importing windows from Europe has resulted in savings of about 50% for standard European products — even after accounting for shipping costs — often being of higher quality than US-made ones.
For luxury homes requiring custom, high-performance windows, the price difference is even greater. In our work with US clients, we’ve seen pricing disparities of up to 200-300%.
What does this mean? If you’re managing a large project that demands high-quality windows, European windows—even after a 25% tariff increase—can still help you save between 35% and 50% compared to the cost of American windows.
The bigger the project, the greater the savings
Since increased tariff costs are usually passed on to the final product price, quality isn’t compromised; it just reduces your profit margin.
However, this tariff hike isn’t significant enough to radically impact the profitability of investing in European windows, especially those from Polish manufacturers, which are still cheaper than, for example, German-made windows.
If you’d like to calculate the price difference between our windows and those offered by your supplier, use our calculators and check the price lists for the most popular European windows and doors.
American window
600 USD
single-hung
vinyl or fiberglass
36″ x 60″
Why importing windows still be profitable, even though tariffs have risen?
When evaluating whether importing windows still makes financial sense after the introduction of new tariffs, it’s crucial to go beyond the headline percentage.
To give you the clearest possible picture, we’ve broken down how the new situation affects imports from Poland in comparison to two common alternatives: buying locally in the U.S., and sourcing from other European countries like Germany or Italy.
These comparisons help determine where the real long-term value lies for your construction business.
Windows from Poland vs Buying Locally in the United States
Importing European windows — particularly from Poland — can still cut your bill by 35-50 % versus buying in the United States. It’s also important to consider how the U.S. market may respond to these tariffs. Past tariff rounds on steel and appliances show that domestic suppliers often raise their own prices once the protective wall is up. You can read more in our comprehensive analysis of the cost-effectiveness of buying locally in the U.S. after the tariffs on European windows.
For instance, consider a typical spec home project in the U.S. with a window budget of approximately $100,000 using local suppliers. Importing equivalent high-quality PVC or Aluminum windows from Poland— even with a 25% tariff — could reduce this expense to between $50,000-$65,000.
This represents significant savings of $35,000 to $50,000 per project.
Windows from Poland vs Importing from Germany
Many US companies previously sourcing windows from Germany may find significant cost advantages shifting to Polish suppliers. Why? Windows from Poland typically cost 20%-30% less than similar German products.
Imagine a luxury home that once spent $125,000 on German windows.
- Before the tariff: switching to Polish windows dropped the cost to about $100,000
- After the 2025 tariff: the Polish order rises back to around $125,000 (essentially matching the initial German price before tariffs)
- Staying with Germany now: the same windows cost roughly $156,000.
So even with the new duty, buying from Poland still leaves about $30,000 in your pocket compared with importing from Germany.
You keep the same European quality, just at a lower cost. Want the full breakdown? See our in-depth cost comparison for importing from Germany.
Import costs – what you need to know
Importing windows into the USA involves not only the fees directly tied to the process but also the time and effort required to manage the process and logistics.
Formal costs primarily include:
- Transportation expenses
- Customs fees
- Port fees (such as DTHC charges)
- Agency fees
When importing any product, a solid understanding of logistics and procedures is essential to avoid unexpected costs, such as container detention fees.
To learn more about importing windows, read our Quick guide on how to import windows.
Also, check our delivery cost calculator to estimate the price of windows imported from Poland.
How to reduce risks and increase profits when importing windows from Europe
Given the changing tariffs, would it be wiser to source from U.S.-based distributors to avoid these additional costs — even if that means compromising on the quality, price, and design offered by European windows?
Good news: You don’t have to give up the opportunity to increase your profit margin and expand your business.
If you’re considering importing windows, first evaluate whether you have the time and resources to handle not only the process of obtaining quotes, placing orders, and verifying that products meet your project specifications but also the entire customs and import procedure on your own.
To increase your profits, consider partnering with a broker who can navigate changing tariffs more effectively without unnecessary risks and complications, ensuring a guaranteed and streamlined process.
Key takeaways
- Tariffs didn’t erase the savings. Even with the 25 % duty introduced in 2025, importing European—especially Polish—window packages still costs roughly 35–50 % less than comparable U.S. quotes.
- Poland keeps its edge over Germany. Because Polish windows start out 15–30 % cheaper, they remain 10–20 % below German prices even when both pay the same duty.
- Buying local won’t necessarily cost less. U.S. manufacturers have historically lifted their own prices once protective tariffs take effect, so domestic sourcing doesn’t guarantee lower costs.
- The right supplier protects your margin. Working with a vetted exporter—one that offers transparent pricing, full certifications, dependable lead times and end-to-end logistics—gives you confidence that you’ll earn the profit margin you’ve planned for on your project.
Choosing the right European window supplier can provide you with peace of mind and transaction security. At debesto, we help U.S. developers makes sourcing these windows simple and hassle-free.
Here’s how we help:
- Increase your profit margins thanks to business and product consultation
- On-site delivery – we organize shipping for you, hassle-free
- Reliable lead times – avoid delays and meet deadlines
- Straightforward ordering process – no unnecessary emails or calls
- Enhance your brand’s reputation with superior products
- Support in your time zone – available until 4 p.m. EST (contact us)
Need help with importing windows from Europe?
We’ll manage importing windows process and help you find windows that meet your standards, stick to your deadlines, and boost your profit margins.
Book a free project consultationFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How can I check savings specifically for my custom project?
Schedule a free consultation to evaluate current costs and the profitability of importing windows from Poland in your specific project.
2. I used to buy from Germany — will switching to Poland lower my quality?
Absolutely not. Poland is the world’s largest exporter of windows, combining attractive pricing with high quality. Polish factories use the same premium systems and deliver equal or superior performance and certifications.
3. How much more will I pay now compared to before the tariff increase?
In many cases, you’ll still save 35–50% compared to U.S. prices — even with tariffs included.
4. Will local U.S. suppliers now be cheaper?
Historically, both U.S. manufacturers and U.S.-based distributors of European windows have passed tariff costs through to customers, so there’s still no guarantee of savings. Read more in our detailed article.
Related articles in this series:
Chinese Windows vs. European Windows: Where to Buy After the 2025 Tariffs
Italian Windows – How to Cut the Cost After the 2025 Tariffs
Importing Windows from Europe vs Buying Locally in the US (After the 2025 Tariffs)
