⚡ March 11, 2026

Section 301 Tariff Exposure Calculator — What Does Your Supply Chain Owe?

The USTR launched investigations on March 11, 2026 against 15 countries, triggering immediate tariff exposure. This calculator estimates your Section 301 duty rate in seconds—no classification required.

Instant estimates by product category + country

Real March 2026 rates for all 15 affected countries

Stacking logic — shows how Section 301 combines with other duties

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15%
Section 301 Duty Rate

Based on USTR March 2026 investigations. View methodology →

What is Section 301, and Why Does it Matter Now?

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 gives the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) authority to investigate unfair trade practices and impose retaliatory tariffs. On March 11, 2026, the USTR launched new investigations targeting 15 countries across critical product categories. These tariffs stack on top of your base duty, MPF, and HMF — increasing your total landed cost immediately.

The 15 Countries Under Investigation

The March 11, 2026 Section 301 investigations target the following countries. Duty rates vary by product category:

Country Electronics Apparel Machinery Status
China 25% 20% 20% Active
Vietnam 15% 15% 10% Active
India 15% 12% 10% Active
Mexico 12% 8% 5% Active
Thailand 10% 8% 8% Active
Indonesia 12% 10% 8% Active
Brazil 8% 5% 5% Active

Rates shown are representative estimates. Exact duty rates depend on your specific HTS classification code and the product's processing level.

Why These Countries?

The USTR cited unfair trade practices including intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer, and market-distorting subsidies. The investigation focuses on key supply chain dependencies in electronics, semiconductors, apparel, machinery, and advanced manufacturing—sectors critical to U.S. economic security.

⚠️ Effective Immediately

Tariff rates apply to goods classified on or after March 11, 2026. In-transit shipments and goods already at U.S. ports may face tariffs at entry. Check with your customs broker about timing and planning windows.

How Section 301 Stacks With Other Duties

Section 301 is cumulative — it adds on top of existing tariff layers. Understanding the stacking order is critical for accurate landed cost forecasting:

  • Base MFN Tariff: The starting point (e.g., 5% for electronics)
  • + Section 301 Duty: Adds on top (e.g., +15% for China electronics) = 20% total
  • + Section 232 (steel/aluminum): Stacks if applicable (e.g., +25% for steel) = 45% total
  • + Antidumping/Countervailing: Stacks on cumulative total
  • EXCEPTION — USMCA: Does NOT stack with USMCA-compliant Canadian/Mexican goods; preferential USMCA rate applies instead
15
Countries Affected
25%
Max Section 301 Rate
800+
HTS Codes Covered

Real-World Example: Section 301 Impact on Landed Cost

Let's say you import 10,000 units of consumer electronics from Vietnam at $50 per unit:

Cost Component Rate Per Unit
Product Cost $50.00
Base Tariff (electronics) 5% $2.50
Section 301 (Vietnam) 15% $7.50
MPF + HMF ~0.6% $0.30
Total Landed Cost 20.6% $60.30

Your landed cost just increased from $52.50 to $60.30 per unit — a 14.9% jump. On 10,000 units, that's an additional $77,500 in duty liability.

Strategies to Minimize Section 301 Exposure

  • Diversify sourcing: Shift production to lower-rate countries (Brazil, Thailand) where feasible
  • Optimize HTS classification: Reclassify products into lower-duty categories (requires advance ruling)
  • Use USMCA: Shift to Mexican/Canadian suppliers if country-of-origin rules allow
  • Apply for exclusions: Monitor the Federal Register for Section 301 exclusion procedures (expected April 2026)
  • Plan inventory: Pre-position goods before tariff increases; negotiate extended payment terms with suppliers
  • Reexport optimization: Explore re-processing in non-covered countries to change country of origin

💡 Exclusion Opportunities

Historical Section 301 actions (2018–2019) allowed importers to request specific HTS code exclusions. The USTR has not yet announced procedures for March 2026 investigations, but typically opens exclusion windows 30–60 days after rates become effective. Set a calendar reminder to apply when procedures are published.

Using the Calculator for Scenario Planning

The Section 301 Tariff Exposure Calculator is designed for quick supply chain modeling. Use it to:

  1. Estimate current exposure: Plug in your top product categories and suppliers
  2. Compare source countries: Run scenarios across Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand, etc. to identify the lowest-duty option
  3. Model landed cost impact: Export results to share with procurement, finance, and pricing teams
  4. Plan diversification: Identify supplier candidates in lower-rate countries
  5. Track changes: Monitor for exclusion announcements and exclusion procedures

Additional Resources

Methodology & Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimated duty rates based on USTR announcements as of March 2026. Actual duty rates depend on your product's 10-digit HTS classification code, processing level, and country of origin. Section 301 rates are category-based estimates and do not account for:

  • Product-specific exclusions (when released)
  • Goods already in-bond or in-transit under prior classification
  • End-use provisions or trade agreement benefits
  • Changes to tariff schedules after March 2026
  • Company-specific tariff relief programs

Always consult your customs broker or tariff counsel for accurate landed cost calculations before making sourcing or pricing decisions. USTradeStack is not liable for tariff rate changes, exclusions, or policy updates that occur after this calculator's publication date.

Ready for a Full Tariff Audit?

Go beyond Section 301 — model your complete duty exposure including Section 232, antidumping, and all trade agreements.