TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey lawmakers are proposing new consumer disclosure rules that would require stores and online sellers to tell shoppers how much of an item’s final price comes from federal tariffs or import taxes.
The measure, Assembly Bill 5922, introduced July 24 by Assemblywomen Annette Quijano (D-Union) and Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie (D-Essex, Passaic), is titled the “Tariff Transparency Act.”
If enacted, the bill would make New Jersey the first state in the nation to mandate tariff cost disclosures at the point of sale.
Price tags and receipts would show tariff portion
The legislation would require retail businesses — both physical and online — to display either the percentage or dollar amount of a product’s retail price that is attributable to tariffs or trade-related import taxes.
That information could appear directly on price tags, product web pages, or printed receipts. The Division of Consumer Affairs would have authority to determine acceptable formats for disclosure.
Retailers and wholesalers would also need to keep documentation, such as customs invoices and tariff schedules, to verify the accuracy of their calculations and remain subject to compliance audits.
Small businesses and low-impact goods exempt
Businesses earning less than $500,000 annually and products where tariffs account for less than two percent of the final price would be exempt.
Violations could carry fines of up to $500 per incident.
Gradual rollout over one year
The act would take effect 90 days after being signed into law. For the first six months, compliance would be voluntary; during the following six months, only retailers with $5 million or more in annual sales would need to comply. Full enforcement would begin one year after the law takes effect.
Lawmakers cite need for consumer clarity
Supporters of the measure said the bill is designed to help consumers understand how trade policies influence retail prices, particularly when tariffs imposed at the federal level raise costs for everyday goods.
Assemblywomen Quijano and Bagolie wrote in the bill statement that tariffs “can become a hidden tax on households” and that consumers “deserve clear, standardized information” to make informed purchasing decisions.
Assembly Bill 5922 would require New Jersey retailers to disclose how much tariffs contribute to a product’s final price to promote transparency in consumer spending.
