Tariff Explainer — Tool Landing Page
Section 232 Tariffs — Steel & Aluminum Coverage, Rates & Exemptions 2026
Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 gives the President authority to adjust imports of articles that
threaten national security. In March 2018, President Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% tariffs
on aluminum imports under this authority. These tariffs remain in effect in 2026 and apply to most countries,
with quota-based exemptions for Canada, Mexico, Australia, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, and the EU. Use our
Section 232 coverage checker to determine if your HTS code and country of origin are subject to these tariffs,
and our tariff stacking calculator to see how Section 232 combines with Section 301 and Section 122.
✓ Proclamations 9704 & 9705
✓ 25% steel / 10% aluminum rates
✓ DOC exclusion process
✓ Section 232 vs. 301 stacking
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25% steel tariff — HTS Chapters 72–73 and derivative products, all countries (with exemptions)
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10% aluminum tariff — HTS Chapter 76 and derivative aluminum articles
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Country exemption status — quota-based TRQ for Canada, Mexico, South Korea, EU, Argentina, Brazil; full exemption for Australia
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Product exclusion process — DOC submission, public comment, determination timeline
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Section 232 vs. Section 301 stacking — 25% + 25% + 15% scenarios for China steel/aluminum
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HTS code-level coverage check — enter your code and country to verify Section 232 applicability
Check your Section 232 tariff exposure
Enter your HTS code and country of origin — get Section 232 coverage status, applicable rate, and tariff stacking analysis instantly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What products are covered by Section 232 steel tariffs? +
Section 232 steel tariffs (25%) apply to steel articles in HTS Chapters 72 (iron and steel mill products: ingots, billets, hot-rolled coil, bars, rods, wire rod) and Chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel: pipes, tubes, structural shapes, fittings). USTR has extended coverage to certain 'derivative' steel products — downstream products that contain steel and are classified outside Chapters 72–73. These derivatives include certain nails, staples, safety guards, and wire products classified in other chapters. The full derivatives list is maintained by USTR at ustr.gov and should be checked for any product containing steel components.
What are the Section 232 tariff rates for steel and aluminum? +
Steel: 25% ad valorem on all steel articles from most countries. Aluminum: 10% ad valorem on aluminum articles from most countries. These rates are in addition to any existing MFN (Most-Favored-Nation) tariff rates. For most steel mill products (HTS Ch. 72), the base MFN is 0%, so the total is simply 25%. For aluminum articles (HTS Ch. 76), base MFN is 0–3%, so the total is 10–13%. Section 232 stacks with Section 301 — a Chinese steel pipe may face 25% Section 232 + 25% Section 301 + 15% Section 122 = 65% total additional duty on top of the base MFN rate.
Which countries are exempt from Section 232 tariffs? +
Country exemptions from Section 232: (1) Canada — quota-based TRQ (tariff-rate quota) arrangement; above-quota imports face 25% steel / 10% aluminum. (2) Mexico — quota-based TRQ; above-quota faces full rates. (3) Australia — full exemption with no quota. (4) South Korea — TRQ with specific quota quantities, above-quota faces full rates. (5) Argentina — TRQ for steel and aluminum with specific quantities. (6) Brazil — TRQ with quota quantities. (7) EU — TRQ with steel and aluminum quota quantities. China, Russia, India, Turkey, and most other countries face the full 25%/10% with no quota relief.
How do I apply for a Section 232 product exclusion? +
Section 232 product exclusions are handled by the Department of Commerce (DOC). To request an exclusion: (1) Submit an exclusion request via the DOC portal at commerce.gov/section-232; (2) Provide product description, HTS code at the 10-digit level, supplier country, and intended use; (3) A 30-day public comment period — US industry competitors can object to the exclusion; (4) DOC issues a determination (approve or deny). Approved exclusions are valid for one year from the date of publication and apply to the specific HTS code and importer. The process typically takes 60–90 days. If an exclusion is granted, the importer can claim the exemption at time of entry.
How does Section 232 stack with Section 301 tariffs? +
Section 232 (25% steel, 10% aluminum) stacks with Section 301 tariffs independently. For Chinese steel or aluminum articles, both Section 232 and Section 301 can apply simultaneously. For example, a Chinese steel pipe (HTS 7304.29) may face: 25% Section 232 + 25% Section 301 List 3 + 15% Section 122 = 65% total additional duty on top of the base MFN (0%). A Chinese aluminum sheet (HTS 7606.92) may face: 10% Section 232 + 25% Section 301 + 15% Section 122 = 50% total additional duty on top of base MFN (3%). The tariff stacking calculator on USTradeStack shows the exact stack for any HTS code and country combination.
Educational reference only — Section 232 tariff applicability and exclusion determinations should be verified with a licensed customs broker and the Department of Commerce Section 232 program office. Rates and exemption status subject to change by presidential proclamation. AI Disclaimer · Terms