New Guidance Available: Navigating Tariffs Impacting O&P
The Trump Administration’s new tariff policies, effective August 1, 2025, may affect orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) patient care facilities, manufacturers, and suppliers. To help the profession understand and prepare for these changes, the O&P Alliance—of which the Academy is a proud partner—has developed a set of resources designed to clarify potential impacts and pathways forward.
These include:
- A detailed summary of how tariffs may affect O&P
- An executive summary for quick reference
- A flowchart outlining possible exemptions that may apply to O&P devices and components
These resources focus on the Nairobi Protocol, a long-standing regulatory duty-free exemption for certain medical devices that has been in place for decades. While the Nairobi Protocol provides a pathway for certain medical devices, including orthoses and prostheses, to be considered for duty-free treatment, it is not, nor has ever been, a blanket exemption that applies in all situations. Tariff regulations remain complex, and exemptions are determined on a case-by-case basis. This means patient care facilities and suppliers may see shifts in pricing and availability as manufacturers and distributors navigate these requirements.
We encourage members of the Academy to review these resources to stay informed about how tariffs may affect their practice and the broader O&P profession.
The Academy will continue to share updates from the O&P Alliance as this policy develops.