What Are Sri Lanka’s Rubber Export Tariffs?
The changing landscape of tariffs and import taxes is having a considerable impact on a wide range of industries. Tariffs on natural rubber specifically are impacting users of tarp straps, as they consider how to manage rising costs.
In April of 2025, the United States imposed a 44% blanket tariff on all imports from Sri Lanka, increasing the tariff on rubber materials from 12.5% to 56.5%. In July, the current administration announced that the blanket tariff on Sri Lankan imports would be decreased to 30%, with the window for further negotiations on August 1, 2025. If the new tariff is imposed, the tariff on rubber materials will be 42.5%.
Sri Lanka reported 69,185 metric tons of natural rubber production in 2024. The industry’s annual revenue from exports to the United States is estimated to be around $300 million USD.
How Do the Tariffs in Sri Lanka Affect the Tarp Strap Industry?
An increase in tariffs leads to higher price tags on imported goods. For US manufacturers, the cost of natural rubber imported from Sri Lanka is much higher, which drives up the cost of doing business and may force some manufacturers to raise their prices. This can be especially challenging for manufacturers operating in sectors where margins are small and the customers are cost sensitive.
One sector feeling the effects of the new tariffs on Sri Lankan imports is the rubber tarp strap industry. A natural rubber price increase is bound to drive up the cost of tarp straps, which can be challenging for both manufacturers and users alike.
While some tarp straps users may be willing and able to absorb the increased costs of natural rubber straps, others may look for alternatives at a lower price point that offer equal or superior performance.
Many manufacturers, in the tarp strap industry and beyond, are exploring strategies to keep their prices steady. Some are seeking new sources for natural rubber, such as Indonesia. As of July 2025, tariffs on Indonesian goods have been negotiated to 19%. Other manufacturers are investigating entirely new materials, such as synthetic rubber. There are many synthetic alternatives to natural rubber, each offering a different portfolio of performance characteristics and limitations. Choosing the best alternative to natural rubber requires a careful review of the intended function and service environment of the final product.
For tarp straps in particular, a fantastic alternative to natural rubber is EPDM rubber. EPDM, which stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer, is a synthetic rubber known for its excellent resistance to rigorous environmental conditions such as ozone, UV radiation, and weathering. EPDM maintains its elasticity and resilience for longer than other polymers, which also lends to its longer service life: EPDM tarp straps generally last anywhere from five to twenty times longer than natural rubber straps with otherwise identical specs.
Natural Rubber vs EPDM Cost Comparison
Even without the complex layers of tariffs, shipping, and other variable costs, natural rubber tends to be slightly more expensive than EPDM. This is largely due to the cost of production. Natural rubber extraction is a complex process that takes time and resources. Additionally, the tree Hevea brasiliensis, which is the primary source of natural rubber, only grows in a few regions of the world, so availability of natural rubber is inherently limited—another factor that affects cost.
The latest round of proposed tariffs will drive the price of natural rubber even higher. Needless to say, this may inspire some companies to seek more affordable alternatives to natural rubber.
EPDM is widely available and inexpensive to produce, making it a more affordable alternative to natural rubber. Additionally, EPDM can be made in the United States, which insulates EPDM from tariffs and eliminates any costs associated with overseas shipping.
If you’re investigating alternatives to natural rubber straps, talk to the experts at Universal Polymer & Rubber (UP&R). We’ve been making tarp straps from EPDM for years, and our GOLDLINE® tarp straps are widely considered the best on the market. We can answer all your questions about the difference between natural rubber and EPDM tarp straps, help you choose the right straps for your needs, and arrange for custom packaging for wholesale and retail. Our Ameripride® line of tarp straps are even available for private labeling.
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