Tariffs and 2027 boat prices: what's actually in play

October 1, 2026

The honest headline

Nobody has published a single number for how much 2027 boats will cost. Not NMMA, and not the big builders. Prices are set brand by brand, and 2027 models are reaching dealers now. What we can do is show which tariffs feed into those prices, and which ones don't.

Metals: the cost in every hull

Steel and aluminum imports carry a 50% tariff under Section 232, the national-security trade law. Since April 6, 2026 it is charged on the full value of the metal article, and a 25% rate applies to many products made from those metals. Some marine products are exempt.

This matters most for aluminum fishing boats and pontoons, plus trailers, towers, rails and engine castings. Builders who buy US metal are not insulated either: domestic prices tend to move with the tariffed import price. For fiberglass boats, metal is a smaller share of the cost.

Imported engines and parts

In February the Supreme Court ruled that the emergency-powers tariffs of 2025 were unlawful. They were replaced within days by a temporary global tariff. Since July 24, a new set of Section 301 tariffs applies to 60 trading partners.

What that means for outboards:

Built in Japan: outboards now pay a total duty of 12.5%. Several major outboard brands build most of their engines there.
Built in the US: Mercury builds most of its outboards in Wisconsin, so those engines pay no import duty. Its imported parts and metal still do.
From the EU: most goods pay 10% all-in, which affects European-built boats, drives and equipment.

Importers who paid the struck-down tariffs are pursuing refunds. The government has appealed the court order requiring them. Brunswick, which owns Mercury, Sea Ray and Boston Whaler, said in July it expects about $40 million in extra tariff costs in 2026, partly offset by $25 to $30 million in net refunds. It credited "pricing actions" for part of its sales growth.

Canada: boats now caught in the dispute

On September 15, the US added Canadian motorboats to its list of Canadian goods facing an extra 50% tariff. It covers four tariff classes of Canadian-built motorboats, including outboard boats. Canada shipped about $93 million of those boats to the US in 2024. Expect fewer Canadian-built models on US lots, or higher prices on the ones that arrive.

Canada's own counter-tariffs, in force since September 8, left out US-made boats, personal watercraft and marine engines. They do hit boat trailers at 25%, anchors and chain at 50%, and galley equipment at 25%.

Europe: quiet for now

The EU had threatened to tax US boats in 2025. Under the US-EU trade deal that summer, it suspended that retaliation, so US builders can still sell into Europe without it.

What it means if you're buying

Ask what year the boat is. Leftover 2026 models were priced before some of these costs landed, and dealers carrying them may negotiate.
Look at where the engine was built. Two similar packages can price differently depending on the outboard brand.
Watch the trailer and options. Aluminum trailers, towers and imported electronics are where tariffs show up in smaller line items.
Get the price in writing. Ask whether the quote can change between order and delivery.

Trade policy has changed several times this year and may change again before spring. Check the date on any number you're quoted.

Sources

nmma.org — NMMA: Section 232 restructure effective 6 Apr 2026; 50% on steel/aluminum, 25% on derivative articles; some marine products exempt in Annex II
nmma.org — NMMA: Section 232 steel/aluminum tariffs reinstated Mar 2025; EU announced retaliation including boats
nmma.org — NMMA: 2025 US-EU deal; EU suspends retaliatory tariffs on US boats; US boat and engine exports $2.3B a year
bradley.com — Supreme Court ruled 20 Feb 2026 that IEEPA does not authorize tariffs
bakerdonelson.com — Section 122 temporary global tariff from 24 Feb 2026 for 150 days; Section 232 goods exempt
rvia.org — Section 301 forced-labor tariffs from 24 Jul 2026: EU 10% all-in, Japan 12.5% all-in; Canada and Mexico +10%; China +12.5%
airliftusa.com — Outboard motors (HTS 8407.21.00) from Japan: 12.5% total duty (Free MFN plus Section 301)
boatingindustry.ca — Extra 50% US tariff on four Canadian motorboat HTS codes from 15 Sep 2026; about US$93.1M of 2024 exports
thompsoncoburn.com — Section 338 changes 15 Sep 2026 include motorboats; stack on top of Section 232
nmma.org — NMMA: Canada's counter-tariffs from 8 Sep 2026 (15-50%, $27.6B) exclude US boats, PWC and marine engines; trailers 25%, anchors and chains 50%, galley equipment 25%
sec.gov — Brunswick Q2 2026 release (30 Jul 2026): about $40M incremental tariffs in 2026; $25-30M net IEEPA refunds; pricing actions