How the New U.S. Tariffs Could Affect You as a Barefoot Shoe Consumer
Most barefoot shoes are not made in the U.S. Thus, the new U.S. tariffs could have a significant impact on the pricing and availability of barefoot shoes for US consumers.
In April 2025, President Donald Trump announced a series of import tariffs, collectively referred to as the “Liberation Day” tariffs. These tariffs are effective April 5, 2025, and include a universal 10% duty on all imports, with higher rates for specific countries, notably:
- China: 34% (plus 20% preexisting tariffs) for a total of 54%
- Vietnam: 46%
- European Union: 20%
- UK: 10%
You can find full details in the official documents here:
This post isn’t about debating the pros or cons of the policy. My goal is to help you understand how these new tariffs might affect U.S.-based consumers of barefoot shoes—and what to watch for in the coming months. It can be a difficult process to order barefoot shoes online, and I want you to have a heads up on how that process or the prices could change.
Let’s get started.
Key Takeaways
- Biggest Impact: Shoes made in China are now significantly more expensive due to the loss of the de minimis exemption and the new 34% tariffs, plus preexisting tariffs of 20%, which could mean Chinese goods are now effectively subject to tariffs of 54%.
- Vietnam sees the highest tariff increase (46%), which could lead to price hikes for brands producing there.
- EU and UK brands remain largely unaffected for direct-to-consumer orders under $800, but U.S. retailers stocking these brands will face 20% tariffs for the EU and 10% for the UK.
- Mexico is currently unaffected by the tariffs, making them attractive options for avoiding tariffs.
- US-made shoes may have some impact related to tariffs on key inputs, like Vibram soling.
The De Minimis Exemption: What Changed?
The de minimis exemption allows goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free, which is why many U.S. customers haven’t paid import taxes on international barefoot shoe orders.
Previously, if you ordered barefoot shoes from China, Vietnam, or the EU—so long as they cost under $800—you avoided tariffs. You may have heard Canadians or Brits post-Brexit sharing their dismay over the high import tariffs they directly have to pay–it seems like we may soon be in the same boat, at least when it comes to Chinese-made goods.
What Changed in April 2025
The U.S. removed the de minimis exemption for goods shipped from China and Hong Kong. This goes into effect on May 2, 2025. This means:
- All goods made in China, regardless of order value, are now subject to a 30% tariff or a $25 per-item fee (increasing to $50 per item after June 1, 2025).
- Orders from all other countries under $800 remain exempt from import duties (for now).
The de minimis exemption currently remains in in effect for all other countries, but the Trump administration has indicated plants to wholly eliminate it once “adequate systems are in place to fully and expeditiously process and collect duty revenue.” This would be a huge impact as it relates to those in the US ordering barefoot shoes as many brands are located in the EU or UK.
Key Impact
Brands like Saguaro Shoes, which manufacture and ship directly from China, will be subject to these new tariffs starting May 2, 2025. As the purchaser, you may be directly responsible for paying them. If you order from places like Temu and Shein, you’ll be seeing the direct impact of this tariff as well. The de minimis exemption could be eliminated for all countries in the future.
U.S.-Based Barefoot Shoe Brands and the Tariff Impact
Brands Manufacturing in China
These U.S. brands will likely be significantly impacted by the new 34% tariff. These brands may face increased production costs, which could lead to price hikes or changes in sourcing.
- Xero Shoes
- Lems
- Splay
- Tolos
- Whitin
Brands Manufacturing in Mexico
Mexico is not subject to new tariffs. Therefore, Mexico may become a more attractive option for brands looking to avoid high tariffs. These brands currently manufacture there:
- Origo Shoes
- Minnemals
Brands Manufacturing in the U.S.
There are several barefoot brands that make their shoes domestically (many of them are hiking sandals):
- Softstar Shoes
- Shamma Sandals
- Earth Runners
- Luna Sandals
- Deliberate Life Designs
However, many U.S.-made shoes still rely on imported components. For example, Vibram soles—used by many barefoot brands—is an Italian company with products manufactured in Italy, Brazil, China, and the Czech Republic, meaning tariffs may still apply depending on sourcing.
U.S. Retailers That Stock EU/UK Brands
There are currently a few online and brick-and-mortar retailers based in the US that purchase from EU and UK-based brands. For example, PedTerra is an online retailer that imports shoes in bulk from EU/UK brands such as Be Lenka, Freet, Peerko, Ahinsa, Mukishoes, and more. Since these orders exceed $800, they are now subject to tariffs, and retail prices may increase to offset those costs.
EU and UK-Based Brands: What to Know
Direct-to-Consumer Orders
If you order directly from an EU or UK-based brand, and your purchase is under $800, the de minimis exemption still applies—you won’t be charged an import tariff.
For example, both Bahé and Freet make their shoes in China, but because these shoes are first imported to the UK and shipped from the UK to the US consumer, the de minimis exemption would still apply.
Notable EU/UK Brands
- EU: Be Lenka, Ahinsa, Bohempia, Feelgrounds, Fleeters, Groundies, Magical Shoes, Shapen, Wildling, BLUSUN, Lang.S, Wyde
- UK: Vivobarefoot, Bahé, Freet
Potential Impacts for U.S. Consumers
Price Increases
Tariffs create uncertainty. Brands may raise prices, reduce production, or delay new releases. Direct costs from tariffs (especially for Chinese-made goods) are likely to be passed on to consumers in some form.
Limited Selection or Delays
Brands may cut back on imports from highly impacted regions (like China or Vietnam), leading to lower availability or longer wait times.
Does that mean the shoe price will go up the same as the tariff percentage?
Each business will react this in the way they see fit, but keep in mind that the common markup is often around three times the cost to get to the final retail price. This is because that retail price needs to cover more than just the actual materials and labor that goes into the shoe—it covers all the design, molds, development, marketing, shipping, taxes, etc.
So if a $90 shoe is made for $30, the tariff is going to be based on the $30 cost. So in this example, if the shoe were made in China, it would cost the brand 34% more, or $10.20 more to produce. If the shoe were made in the EU, it would cost $6 more.
My guess is that some of this cost will be passed on to the consumer, but every brand will determine how to adjust for the impact of these tariffs.
Will Brands Move Manufacturing to the U.S.?
I’ve spent a lot of time talking to brands and am currently working on manufacturing a shoe. Based on my experience researching and going through this process, I think it’s unlikely in the short term. Setting up manufacturing in the U.S. requires:
- Skilled labor
- Equipment
- Training
- Infrastructure
- Long-term capital
Most barefoot shoe brands are still small operations without the resources to make that move quickly. Even for footwear giants, the ability to create and source the infrastructure, equipment and train employees necessary to move manufacturing locations could take years. Even with the final manufacturing taking place in the U.S., the raw materials will be imported and tariffed unless they can be sourced within the US (leather, cotton, synthetics, rubber, metal for buckles, etc). It may happen gradually, but don’t expect a sudden shift.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 tariffs are a major shake-up for almost every industry, and the barefoot shoe industry is no exception. If you typically buy directly from EU or UK brands, you may see little immediate change—especially if your orders are under $800. However, for shoes made in China and shipped to the U.S., expect higher prices, both from direct-to-consumer brands and through U.S. retailers.
Some brands may adjust manufacturing locations or change how they ship, but the reality is that these changes take time. In the meantime, if you’re a U.S. barefoot shoe consumer, it’s worth keeping an eye on where your shoes are made, how they’re shipped, and how pricing evolves in the months ahead.
