Eyecare professionals across the country are voicing growing concern over the return of tariffs as a business threat. In a recent Jobson Research survey, 69% of ECPs said they were either very or somewhat concerned about how tariffs could affect cost of goods. With prices already under pressure, and supply chains still recovering from post-pandemic strain, new import costs could further complicate the landscape. 

“There's a lot of uncertainty in the marketplace,” said David Friedfeld, co-owner and president of ClearVision Optical. “A lot of anxiety... I'm not sure exactly how it's going to play out.” 

Tariffs are import taxes imposed by governments on goods that cross international borders. In the eyewear industry, that often means an added cost on every frame, case, or component entering the U.S. from countries like China. These charges aren’t optional—they must be paid before goods are released from customs, which can add substantial, unplanned expenses for importers.

“Once my goods hit a port of entry, they are not released until I pay what is now almost 20% of the value,” said David Friedfeld. “So, if there's $1,000,000 there, I owe the U.S. government $200,000 at that point. Now we have to figure out how that works.” 

Tariffs are once again front and center in global trade discussions, with new and proposed increases aimed at a wide range of goods. Right now, imports to the U.S. from most countries face a baseline tariff of 10%. Imported goods from China are being tariffed at much higher rates—anywhere from 145% to 245% depending on the product.  

“We’re talking about millions of dollars of increased costs overnight,” said David Friedfeld.  

The speed and scale of these policy changes have created budget volatility and hesitation throughout the optical industry, prompting business leaders to reassess everything from product timelines to sourcing strategies.

“Tariffs… are just one part of what happens in the supply chain,” said David Friedfeld. “But they can throw off everything—budgeting, planning, pricing. It’s a domino effect.” 

The eyewear industry is particularly sensitive to tariffs because of its deep reliance on overseas manufacturing. Many frames, parts, and accessories are produced in China, which has long been a global hub for optical manufacturing due to its infrastructure, scale, and specialization.

According to a 2023 article in Global Times, the city of Danyang alone produces hundreds of millions of pairs of glasses annually, accounting for a significant share of global output. In 2022, Danyang exported $661-million-worth of glasses and related products abroad.  

That concentration means even moderate tariffs on Chinese imports can ripple across the entire industry—affecting not just wholesalers and manufacturers, but the eyecare professionals who depend on timely, affordable access to product.

Even beyond China, 10% baseline tariffs on other manufacturing hubs such as Vietnam means it’s difficult to get around increased import costs.  

To offset the sudden cost pressures of tariffs, manufacturers across the eyewear industry are exploring alternative strategies. Some are shifting parts of their supply chains to countries outside China, looking to places like Southeast Asia or the Caribbean where production quality has improved and tariff exposure is lower.

Even massive corporations like EssilorLuxottica are being forced to make adjustments such as price increases. 

“The framework on U.S. tariffs is obviously not stable, there are still several moving parts,” said Stefano Grassi, chief financial officer of EssilorLuxottica . "I think every other day we hear news and updates on the situation. We are operating in a framework from U.S. tariffs that is extremely volatile and unstable at this stage."

Grassi described three specific adjustments EssilorLuxottica is making:

• Strategic execution in the med-tech space

• Diversification of the supply chain

• Price adjustments in the single-digit range across U.S. product lines and distribution channels  

Those price adjustments are likely to make their way to consumers. In fact, 45% of respondents to Jobson’s survey said they would pass on 100% of the cost increase on to consumers. Only 4.7% said they would not pass along any increase.  

While tariffs operate upstream in the supply chain, their effects don’t stay there. Import costs eventually influence everything from product availability to assortment planning—and in some cases, pricing. For ECPs, that means the potential for longer lead times, tighter inventory, and shifts in what’s offered or emphasized by vendors.

“All companies will have a plan,” said David Friedfeld, “but my guess is those plans are very fluid.”