On April 2, 2026, the White House issued a new proclamation adjusting the tariffs on the imports of aluminum, steel, and copper into the United States. The action raises tariff rates, expands the duty base, and tightens enforcement, with immediate implications for importers of metal products and metal-containing derivatives. U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued guidance to the trade community in CSMS # 68253075 - GUIDANCE: Section 232 Duties on Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper.
Key Changes
Tariffs Now Apply to Full Customs Value
- Section 232 tariffs now apply to the entire customs value of covered aluminum, steel, and copper articles and their derivative products, regardless of actual metal content, eliminating prior valuation approaches that applied duties only to the metal portion of the article.
Tariff Rate Changes
- A 50% tariff will apply to goods classified in chapters 72, and most goods in chapter 73, 74, and 76 as identified in Annex 1A.
- Derivative articles substantially made of steel, aluminum, or copper (more than 15%) will pay a flat 25% of their full value.
Reduced Rates Based on Metal Origin
- United Kingdom: Products made entirely with UK-origin aluminum or steel qualify for reduced rates (25% or 15%, depending on classification).
- United States: Products made abroad but entirely with American steel, aluminum, and copper will be subject to 10% tariffs.
- Russia: Aluminum products of Russian origin- or containing aluminum smelted or cast in Russia remain subject to a 200% ad valorem duty.
Products Removed from Coverage
- The proclamation also removed many goods from the list of derivatives and are no longer subject to Section 232 tariffs. Review Annex II for a full list. Articles where the weight of applicable metal is less than 15% of the total weight are also excluded from Section 232, unless it falls into a previous category.
- Imported motorcycle parts of aluminum, steel or copper also received an exemption from the tariffs.
Transitional Treatment for Certain Derivates
- Certain metal-intensive industrial equipment and electrical grid equipment and derivative articles (Annex III) are subject to capped tariff rates at 15% through 2027.
FTZ and Duty Drawback Restrictions
- Covered products entering U.S. Foreign Trade Zones must be admitted under privileged foreign status.
- Duty drawback availability is significantly restricted and limited to narrow circumstances.
Documentation of metal origin, smelt, and cast will remain critical. Carefully review Annexes I-A, I-B, II, III & IV for additional information (linked in the below proclamation). Reach out to your C.H. Robinson representative with any questions.
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