The U.S. government has announced further adjustments to the Section 232 tariff regimes for certain aluminum, steel and copper imports. The changes are effective for goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 8, 2026.
These updates modify the tariff treatment of select metal products and derivative products, including certain agricultural equipment, residential HVAC systems and components, mobile industrial equipment, aluminum lithographic plates, and steel racks. Importers should review impacted classifications, origin details, and U.S. content calculations to assess potential duty exposure.
Key Updates
Expanded reduced tariff treatment
Agricultural equipment and certain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and components that are predominantly for residential use have been added to the category of derivative products eligible for the temporarily reduced 15% ad valorem duty under Proclamation 11021.
Temporary tariff relief for select industrial equipment
The Proclamation temporarily modifies tariffs on mobile industrial equipment and machinery. The White House fact sheet identifies examples such as bulldozers and forklifts, when imported from trade deal countries entitled to that treatment.
Additional derivative products added to scope
Aluminum lithographic plates and steel racks are now included as aluminum and steel derivative products subject to the applicable Section 232 tariff treatment.
Updated U.S. metal content threshold
The threshold for a product to be considered made “entirely” from U.S. aluminum, steel or copper has been reduced from 95% to 85% by weight of the aluminum, steel and copper content in the product. This threshold is relevant to determining whether certain reduced duty treatment may apply.
Country-specific and USMCA treatment continues
Special tariff treatment remains available for certain countries and USMCA-qualified goods. For qualifying products of Canada and Mexico, the applicable 25% duty may apply only to the non-U.S. content of the product, subject to a minimum effective duty of 15%.
Temporary rates through 2027
For listed Annex I-C aluminum and steel articles, the updated duty treatment applies from June 8, 2026 through December 31, 2027, unless further modified. The applicable rate may vary based on product type, country of origin, Column 1 duty rate, USMCA qualification, and U.S. metal content.
What This Means for Importers
Companies importing metal products, derivative articles, industrial equipment, agricultural equipment, HVAC systems, or related components should review their current import activity to determine whether the updated Section 232 measures apply.
Importers should pay close attention to:
- HTSUS classifications and Chapter 99 reporting requirements
- Product coverage under the applicable annexes
- Country of origin and trade agreement eligibility
- U.S. content and non-U.S. content calculations
- Documentation supporting U.S.-origin aluminum, steel or copper content
- Entry timing for goods arriving on or after June 8, 2026
Buckland recommends that importers review affected shipments before entry to confirm duty treatment and ensure supporting documentation is available. Buckland will continue to monitor implementation guidance, including any updates from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Register.
For questions about how these changes may affect your imports, please contact your Buckland representative.
Sources:
FURTHER ADJUSTING THE TARIFF REGIMES FOR IMPORTS OF ALUMINUM, STEEL, AND COPPER INTO THE UNITED STATES
ANNEX I-A
ANNEX I-B
ANNEX I-C
ANNEX II
ANNEX III
ANNEX IV