You’re ready to upgrade your home with new cabinets, and like any homeowner, you want the best. Labels like “Made in USA” or “American-built” can feel reassuring, right? They give you confidence that you’re supporting local businesses and getting top-quality products. But here’s the catch: not everything labeled as “American-made” lives up to that promise. Some companies are bending the truth—and it could cost you more than you think.
n this post, we’ll pull back the curtain on those deceptive claims of “Made in USA cabinets“, explain why it matters for your next cabinet purchase, and show you how to ensure you’re getting the quality and authenticity you deserve.
The Deceptive Language Behind “Built in the USA” vs Made in USA Cabinets
You’ve seen it: phrases like “built in the USA” or “assembled in the USA” stamped on product descriptions. But don’t be fooled—many companies use clever wording to make their cabinets seem fully American-made when they’re not.
Here’s what’s really happening: Companies are importing critical cabinet parts—think of the individual pieces, like panels, shelves, and even hardware like hinges, similar to how you’d get budget-friendly furniture from a big-box store. These parts are often manufactured overseas in places like China, Vietnam, or Malaysia, and then shipped flat-packed to the U.S. Once here, they’re assembled, allowing companies to claim “built in the USA.”
But there’s a big difference between assembling cabinets and making them from scratch. At Copper Canyon Millworks, we take full control of the manufacturing process. Every cabinet is custom-made right here in Phoenix, crafted with precision using high-quality, U.S.-sourced materials. From the first cut to the final finish, we ensure that your Made in USA cabinets are built to last—without any hidden foreign components.
Why This Matters for Arizona Homeowners
As a homeowner in Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Peoria, you might feel good about supporting local jobs with American-made cabinets. But if the core parts of your cabinets—like the wood, panels, and hinges—are coming from overseas, the quality just doesn’t stack up.
For example:
- Warping: Foreign-sourced wood is often lower quality and more prone to warping.
- Cracking: Cheaper materials don’t hold up well, especially in Arizona’s dry climate.
- Inconsistent finishes: Foreign parts may not meet the same standards for finishes, leading to a mismatched or uneven appearance.
At Copper Canyon Millworks, we don’t cut corners. Every cabinet is made in-house, from scratch, using high-quality, American-sourced materials. We don’t rely on middlemen or foreign parts, so you get cabinets that stand the test of time.
The Flat-Pack Trick: What Companies Don’t Want You to Know
Ever bought furniture that came in a flat box, requiring you to put it together at home? That’s the flat-pack model, and it’s how many cabinet companies operate. But they charge you like it’s a premium product.
Here’s how it works: Companies manufacture cabinet parts and components overseas using cheaper materials, then ship them to the U.S., where they’re assembled and marketed as “American-built.” The catch? They don’t qualify to be marketed as “Made in USA cabinets” because these cabinets don’t meet the FTC’s strict standards, which require a product to be “all or virtually all” made in the U.S.
When companies take this shortcut, you’re paying for what looks like an American-made product, but in reality, you’re getting something made mostly overseas—disguised under clever marketing.
Why Cutting Corners Could Cost You More
Buying cabinets is a big investment, and you want them to last. But when companies rely on imported parts and simply assemble them in the U.S., you might end up with:
- A shorter product lifespan: Lower-quality materials tend to wear down quickly, meaning you could end up paying for replacements or repairs sooner than you’d expect.
- Inconsistent finishes: Foreign-sourced materials often don’t match up to the same standards, leaving your cabinets with uneven appearances over time.
- Higher costs: You could be paying a premium price for cabinets that aren’t made from high-quality materials, costing you more in the long run.
At Copper Canyon Millworks, we do things differently. Our cabinets are made in-house with American-sourced parts and components. We use our in-house machinery to craft each piece—whether it’s the sides, back, bottom, or hardware—ensuring everything meets our high standards for durability and finish.
The U.S. Government’s Crackdown on Chinese Imports (What It Means for You)
Recently, the U.S. Department of Commerce has been cracking down on companies using transshipping—a practice where Chinese-made cabinet parts are rerouted through countries like Vietnam and Malaysia to avoid tariffs.
This allows companies to continue using lower-quality foreign materials without paying the extra costs associated with importing goods from China. In fact, the government recently announced actions like anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties on Chinese cabinet components to prevent further evasion of these tariffs.
At Copper Canyon Millworks, we’ve always operated with full transparency. We don’t rely on foreign parts or deceptive practices. Our cabinets are made in-house, using U.S.-sourced materials and built to last—right here in Phoenix.
Learn more about the Commerce Department’s actions on Chinese imports here.
How to Avoid Getting Fooled (And Find Cabinets That Are Truly Made in the USA)
Want to make sure you’re getting cabinets that are actually made in the USA, not just assembled here with foreign parts? Here’s what you need to do:
- Ask about the entire process. Don’t settle for vague claims like “assembled in the USA.” Ask about the origins of the parts and components—everything from the panels to the doors and hinges.
- Do your homework. Look for manufacturers like Copper Canyon Millworks that control every aspect of the production process in-house. If a company isn’t transparent about where its materials come from, that’s a red flag.
- Be wary of tricky language. If a company says “built in the USA,” dig deeper. Are the materials really made here, or just assembled from imported parts?
- Support local businesses. By choosing a local manufacturer, you’re not only supporting your community, but you’re also getting cabinets built with care and quality from start to finish.
Conclusion: Why Copper Canyon Millworks is Your Best Choice for Custom Made in USA Cabinets
In a market full of tricky claims and imported parts, it’s crucial to make informed decisions. At Copper Canyon Millworks, we make things simple: every cabinet is made to order, with no middlemen and no foreign parts. We craft each piece—whether it’s the back, sides, bottom, or hardware—right here in our Phoenix facility, using high-quality, U.S.-sourced materials.
Ready for cabinets that are truly made in the USA? Visit our North Phoenix design studio today and see the difference for yourself. We’ll make your custom Made in USA cabinets that are built to last—without shortcuts, without tricks, just genuine quality.
