Tariffs announced last night by the U.S. government, on imports of certain steel and aluminum products into the USA, will apply to all countries except Canada and Mexico. They could still be implemented, however, if negotiations on NAFTA are not concluded in a manner that satisfies the U.S.. Earlier announcements had indicated that the tariffs, 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum, would be applied globally with no exception, sparking fears of a worldwide trade war.
Affected countries have indicated they will retaliate by placing their own tariffs on iconic U.S. products manufactured in key Republican states. There is wide spread domestic and international opposition to the tariffs, set for implementation on March 23, 2018, with most critics saying the effort to protect U.S. manufacturers of steel and aluminum will ultimately lead to higher prices and job losses – not the reverse.
Following are excerpts from each of the Presidential Proclamations identifying the HS Tariff Classifications which will be subject to the new tariffs (watch for future notices once the 2018 U.S. Customs Tariff has been updated with specific origin requirements):
Presidential Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Steel into the United States:
(1) For the purposes of this proclamation, “steel articles” are defined at the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) 6 digit level as: 7206.10 through 7216.50, 7216.99 through 7301.10, 7302.10, 7302.40 through 7302.90, and 7304.10 through 7306.90, including any subsequent revisions to these HTS classifications.
(2) In order to establish increases in the duty rate on imports of steel articles, subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is modified as provided in the Annex to this proclamation. Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, or in notices published pursuant to clause 3 of this proclamation, all steel articles imports specified in the Annex shall be subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on March 23, 2018. This rate of duty, which is in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported steel articles, shall apply to imports of steel articles from all countries except Canada and Mexico.
Presidential Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into the United States:
(1) For the purposes of this proclamation, “aluminum articles” are defined in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) as: (a) unwrought aluminum (HTS 7601); (b) aluminum bars, rods, and profiles (HTS 7604); (c) aluminum wire (HTS 7605); (d) aluminum plate, sheet, strip, and foil (flat rolled products) (HTS 7606 and 7607); (e) aluminum tubes and pipes and tube and pipe fitting (HTS 7608 and 7609); and (f) aluminum castings and forgings (HTS 7616.99.51.60 and 7616.99.51.70), including any subsequent revisions to these HTS classifications.
(2) In order to establish increases in the duty rate on imports of aluminum articles, subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is modified as provided in the Annex to this proclamation. Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, or in notices published pursuant to clause 3 of this proclamation, all imports of aluminum articles specified in the Annex shall be subject to an additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on March 23, 2018. This rate of duty, which is in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported aluminum articles, shall apply to imports of aluminum articles from all countries except Canada and Mexico.
For more information please call Brian Rowe, Director – Customs Compliance & Regulatory Affairs at (905) 882-4880, ext. 213.
