USA: Tariffs on aluminum and steel imports doubled
As of June 4, 2025, the United States has raised the additional tariffs on steel, aluminum, and related imports from 25% to 50%. This higher rate applies to all goods entered into U.S. customs or removed from bonded storage for domestic use.
This measure was officially enacted through the Presidential Proclamation of June 3. The specific tariff classifications affected are detailed in the List of Aluminum HTS subject to Section 232 and the List of Steel HTS subject to Section 232.
Exceptions and special tariffs
Steel, aluminum and derivative products originating from the United Kingdom retain a reduced tariff rate of 25% until July 9, 2025.
Products containing primary aluminum melted or cast in Russia—or imported directly from Russia—are subject to a 200% duty on the total value (in practice, the trade of such products by Swiss and European companies is made impossible by current sanctions, particularly those under the 16th sanctions package).
Partial basis calculation
From June 4, 2025, the 50% tariff applies only to the portion of the product made of aluminum or steel. The remaining part is subject to any applicable reciprocal duties (set at 10% until July 9, after which country-specific reciprocal rates will take effect).
Declaration requirements
Importers are required to report the ISO country codes for the following stages of aluminum processing:
- primarily melting (first smelting),
- secondarily melting (from recycled material),
- casting (transformation into solid form).
As of June 28, 2025, if the country of smelting and casting is unknown, the code “UN” must be used. This will lead to classification under HTS codes 9903.85.67 or 9903.85.68 and the imposition of a 200% tariff, the same rate applied to aluminum originating from Russia.
For steel and derivative products, importers must provide both the ISO code for the melting and casting country and an “applicability code” as follows:
- for steel products: specify the country of original melting and casting
- for derivatives: report the country where the steel was melted, or enter “OTH” (other) if the origin is unknown.
Other provisions
Tariffs imposed under Section 232 are not eligible for drawback, meaning no refunds will be issued.
The 50% tariff applies in addition to any other applicable customs duties (e.g., anti-dumping duties), but does not stack with reciprocal tariffs.
To avoid overlaps, the rules for cumulative tariff application have been revised. The updated order of precedence for applying different tariff types is as follows:
- motor vehicles and components: 25%
- steel and aluminum: 50%
- IEEPA tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico: generally 25%, or 10% for certain products
This new priority order means that metals from Canada and Mexico are now fully subject to the 50% Section 232 tariff without any reduction.
To support accurate tariff classification, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued the following guidance:
- CSMS # 65236645 and CSMS # 65340246 for aluminum products
- CSMS # 65236374 for steel produts
The CSMS #65236574 notice provides clarifications on the cumulative application of tariffs and the correct order of their imposition.
