The Colombia flower tariff could come down, but nothing is official yet. President Trump said Monday, Oct. 12, that he may remove the extra duty on some Colombian goods, and buyers planning Valentine’s Day 2027 should not price relief into their costs until a formal order appears.
What was actually said
According to The Rio Times, which reported the remark Oct. 13, Colombia pays an extra 12.5% under a Section 301 action, and flowers are among the listed goods. The U.S. Trade Representative announced the final action July 23. Trump’s words, as rendered in Spanish by the news agency EFE, were “puede que lo haga,” or “I may do it.”
The Rio Times said no executive order, White House statement, USTR notice or Federal Register filing was cited, and Colombia’s government had not publicly commented in the reports it reviewed. Exporters’ group Analdex was reported to say the rate could soon fall to zero, but no official has confirmed that.
What the duty costs
USDA’s March 2026 report on Colombian flowers estimated that the earlier 10% duty, imposed in April 2025, added more than $200 million a year in costs for the industry. It also says Colombia supplies about 60% of U.S. flower imports by value, which is why a change in the rate reaches most grocery bouquet programs. Earlier this year our coverage of Colombia’s economic pressures looked at the grower side.
What this means for you
- Valentine’s is a Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027, about 17 weeks out. Pre-books will be priced in the next few weeks, so relief that arrives later may not reach you unless your contracts allow it.
- Ask for adjustment language. Request that suppliers pass through any duty reduction, and cap exposure if the rate rises.
- Do not cut retail price plans on a verbal remark. Build the program on the 12.5% rate and treat a cut as upside.
- Watch formal channels: USTR notices and the Federal Register, not press remarks.
For the buying calendar, see our Valentine’s floral program guide.
Takeaways: Colombia flower tariff planning
- The Colombia flower tariff is still 12.5% until a formal action says otherwise.
- Colombia supplies about 60% of U.S. flower imports by value, per USDA.
- Write duty-adjustment clauses into pre-book contracts now.
Sources: The Rio Times (Oct. 13, 2026); USDA FAS report CO2026-0004 (March 24, 2026). Photo: Kent Lâm / Unsplash. The photo is illustrative and does not show Colombian flower cargo.
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