Hermès Hikes Prices in the U.S. in Response to Trump's Tariffs

Luxury shoppers in the U.S. are facing yet another price increase from Hermès — this time driven not by the brand itself, but by a fresh round of import tariffs introduced by President Trump. Just months after implementing the planned Hermès 2025 price increase, the iconic French house is raising prices again to offset the cost of these new U.S.-imposed duties.

Beginning May 1, 2025, U.S. shoppers experienced significant price increases across Hermès handbags, silk scarves, jewelry, and all other goods sold in the United States. According to Eric du Halgouët, the executive vice president of finance, the Hermès U.S. price hike is designed to "fully offset the impact of the universal 10% tariff imposed by the White House."

While the design house has long striven to maintain pricing consistency across regions, the targeted Hermès tariffs response is reshaping that approach — and reshuffling expectations for American buyers in 2025.

Tariffs Drive Higher U.S. Prices for Hermès Bags

The latest Hermès 2025 price increase isn’t just another annual adjustment; it’s a direct response to shifting U.S. trade policy. Following President Trump’s decision to impose a new 10% tariff on imports from the European Union, Hermès announced that its U.S. prices would rise accordingly, beginning May 1, 2025. Like most import duties, the Trump tariffs are ultimately passed on to the consumer, and Hermès has confirmed it will adjust U.S. retail prices to reflect these added costs.

For luxury shoppers, that means noticeable price hikes across the board. While some refer to the Birkin price increase, the truth is that all products the design house sells in America are affected by the Hermès price hike in the U.S.

While the Trump tariffs are technically assessed on the product’s import value — not the retail price — the impact is still substantial. For a $12,000 handbag with an estimated $6,000 FOB (freight on board) value, the 10% tariff translates to a $600 fee. As part of the Hermès tariff response, those costs are now built into U.S. retail pricing.

Why Hermès Isn’t Absorbing the Tariffs

Some shoppers may wonder why the Hermès 2025 price increase is necessary. Couldn’t the design house absorb the cost of the Trump tariffs rather than passing them on? But that’s not how luxury pricing, or international trade, typically works. Like most import duties, the Trump tariffs are structured to increase the cost of bringing goods into the U.S. from the European Union. As a result, Hermès’ tariff response has been to adjust its U.S. retail prices accordingly.

Hermès and other luxury brands rely on tightly controlled international pricing to maintain the perceived value of their products and market consistency. If the company simply absorbed the Trump tariffs, it would amount to offering a discount in the U.S. compared to other regions. That kind of price gap could fuel resale arbitrage and weaken the brand’s sense of exclusivity. Maintaining consistent margins and preserving brand integrity across markets is a core part of the Hermès business model.

In short, the Hermès price hike in the U.S. isn’t about boosting profit margins — it’s about maintaining balance in a disrupted global trade environment.

How the Birkin, Kelly, and Other Hermès Icons Are Affected

To understand how the Trump tariffs are reshaping Hermès pricing in the U.S., it helps to look at where the extra cost comes from and how it’s calculated.

The Trump tariffs apply to goods imported from the European Union and are assessed based on FOB (freight on board) value. This trade term refers to the declared export value of the goods at the point of shipment, typically close to the wholesale price, not the retail price a consumer pays. For Hermès products, the FOB value typically amounts to about 40% to 50% of the product’s final retail price, though the percentage can vary depending on the style, material, and craftsmanship involved.

For example, if a Birkin bag retails for $12,000 and has an estimated FOB value of $6,000, a 10% tariff adds $600 in new import duties, or an added 10% of the FOB value. The brand doesn’t pay that cost — it’s built into the latest U.S. retail price. This Birkin tariff adjustment reflects the broader Hermès tariff response strategy: maintaining stable margins and pricing integrity across global markets by passing tariff costs along to the American buyer.

This is how the Hermès 2025 price increase affects iconic styles:

What This Means for U.S. Luxury Shoppers in 2025

The Hermès 2025 price increase may not be the last adjustment American shoppers see this year. In July 2025, Trump threatened to increase tariffs on European Union goods to 30%.  Thus far it has not happened; however, trade tensions remain fluid and additional hikes have not been ruled out. If that happens, Hermès has made it clear: U.S. prices will rise again.

For U.S. luxury shoppers, that means continued volatility. Whether you’re eyeing a Birkin,  a Kelly, or a more accessible Hermès bag, future price increases remain a real possibility for 2025.