Shipping & Supply Chain Update — April 17, 2026

At Furniture-Parts.com, we want to keep you informed about how current world events may affect your orders for power recliner and lift chair parts.

The Conflict in Iran & Global Shipping

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping corridors. Major carriers including Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have suspended all transits through the strait, and both the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea route are simultaneously blocked for the first time in modern history. Freight rates on Asia-to-U.S. lanes have spiked 30–50%, and the price of fuel for cargo ships has doubled in the past six weeks.

Raw Materials Getting to Factories in Asia

The disruption doesn’t just affect finished goods reaching the U.S. this also impacts the raw materials that Asian manufacturers need to build the parts in the first place. Petroleum-based products used in foam, synthetic fabrics, and plastic components essential for furniture manufacturing are among the materials affected by the blocked shipping routes. Petroleum derivatives needed to make adhesives for furniture, industrial lubricants for machinery, and solvents for manufacturing processes are becoming harder to procure across Asia. Asian manufacturing saw rising raw material costs, lower output, and the most severe supply chain disruptions since the pandemic in March 2026. This means that even before parts are shipped to us, manufacturers are dealing with higher costs and longer production timelines.

The Partial Government Shutdown & Customs Delays

Adding to these challenges, the Department of Homeland Security — which oversees Customs and Border Protection — has been operating under a partial government shutdown since February 14, 2026. While CBP ports remain open, thousands of support staff have been furloughed, delaying inspections and increasing customs clearance times. Back-office furloughs are slowing documentation and compliance work, and bonded warehouses are seeing increased pressure as importers use them to navigate customs slowdowns. Shipments requiring review by agencies like the CPSC may face additional delays due to reduced staffing.

What This Means for Your Orders

We currently have sufficient stock and are ahead on ordering replenishments. Pricing on what we stock will remain the same, and we do not anticipate any changes there though this may not be the case for special orders from other suppliers overseas. We are working closely with our suppliers and logistics partners to stay ahead of these disruptions and have also partnered with several other suppliers to manage parts we do not stock as other suppliers begin to face similar issues.

We appreciate your patience and your business. If you have questions about a specific order or part availability, don’t hesitate to reach out to the parts team.
We apologize for any delays. We appreciate your patience and your business.

The Furniture-Parts.com Team