Section 232 tariffs give the US government a way to tax imports that may pose a risk to national security. The Commerce Department first reviews the products and their possible impact. Based on that investigation, the president can introduce additional import duties.

Steel and aluminum aren't the only products covered by these tariffs. By October 2026, the list also included copper, certain products made from these metals, cars, trucks, lumber, and some semiconductors. How much duty an importer pays comes down to the product's HTS code. Many of the rates fall between 10% and 50%.

Until April 6, 2026, importers generally calculated tariffs on many steel and aluminum products using only the value of the metal they contained. That changed when the new rules came in. The duty is now generally worked out on the entire customs value of the product.

For importers, that means the tariff may now be calculated on a much larger amount, even when the quantity of metal in the finished item hasn't changed.

Consider a welded assembly valued at $10,000, including $1,200 worth of steel. At a 25% tariff rate, the duty under the previous method was $300. With the new method, it rises to $2,500.

This means Section 232 tariffs are no longer just something customs brokers need to deal with. Engineering and procurement teams also need to pay attention. Supplier weight records and mill documents help establish which tariff tier applies. We explain these requirements further in our section on quality assurance and traceability.

This guide explains Section 232 tariffs as of October 21, 2026, including how to check your parts, reduce tariff exposure and work with an offshore manufacturing partner. Wootz.work works with 400+ qualified suppliers across India and Southeast Asia, giving customers one accountable manufacturing partner who can address tariff questions alongside actual part drawings. We've dated the rates throughout the guide so you can see which rules apply, as tariff requirements change frequently.

What are Section 232 tariffs?

Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 lets the president adjust imports that threaten national security. Commerce investigates a product and reports its findings. The president then decides what to do. A tariff is one option. A quota or a negotiation is another. Steel and aluminum were the first large use in 2018. The coverage of Section 232 tariffs has grown every year since.

Section 232 tariffs differ from Section 301 duties in one way that matters for sourcing. Section 301 targets a specific country over its trade practices, and China is the main example. Section 232 tariffs target a product category and apply no matter where the product is made. A few trade partners get lower rates by agreement, but the starting point is the product, not the passport of the supplier. Keep that distinction in mind. It shapes how Section 232 tariffs treat Indian suppliers, covered in the sourcing section below.

Section 232 tariffs list: what is covered in October 2026

The section 232 tariffs list has two parts. The first is the metals program, which covers steel, aluminum and copper plus a long list of derivative products. The second is a set of separate product programs. The table shows the main entries.

Product group Rate In force since Buyer note
Steel, aluminum and most copper articles (Annex I-A) 50% April 6, 2026 reset Applied to full customs value
Steel and aluminum derivatives (Annex I-B) 25% April 6, 2026 Some goods drop to 15% under June 2026 changes
Fixed industrial machinery and power equipment (Annex III) Normal rate plus Section 232 totals 15% Through December 31, 2027 Temporary framework
Derivatives made from US-sourced metal 10% June 8, 2026 threshold Needs 85% US metal by weight
Autos and auto parts 25% April 3, 2025 (parts from May 3, 2025) USMCA goods can document US content
Medium and heavy trucks and parts 25% (buses 10%) November 1, 2025 USMCA provisions apply
Narrow set of advanced semiconductors 25% January 15, 2026 Negotiations continue on the rest
Robotics and industrial machinery Under investigation Opened September 2, 2025 Check status before you quote

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Under Section 232 tariffs, annex placement depends on the HTS code, not on what the product is called. Two parts that look alike can sit in different tiers. Each row of the table links to its source.

Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum: how the rates work

The rules for Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum go back to April 2, 2026, when Proclamation 11021 was issued. There was another update on June 1, which came into effect a week later, on June 8. As for the rates, core steel and aluminum articles are still taxed at 50%. Many derivative products fall under the 25% rate. In both cases, the calculation uses the full value of the covered article.

The June revisions also affect equipment buyers. Agricultural equipment and certain residential HVAC systems now fall under the 15% category. Aluminum lithographic plates and steel racks were added to the list of covered derivatives. Another change lowered the metal-content requirement for the "entirely American" classification from 95% to 85% by weight.

The tariff rates also changed for countries listed in Annex I-C. For Japan, the UK, EU countries, Switzerland, Korea, Taiwan, and a few others, the combined rate is 15% if the regular tariff is lower. Canada and Mexico have a separate rule for qualifying USMCA goods. The 25% tariff is charged only on the non-US content, but the total cannot be less than 15%.

These reduced rates remain in place through December 31, 2027. The tariff structure established in April will apply again from January 1, 2028.

India does not appear in the list of named partners in the June proclamation text. Hold that thought for the sourcing section.

For fabricated parts, metal fabrication is where Section 232 tariffs bite hardest, because a welded frame or enclosure is steel by weight and by value.

Section 232 steel derivatives and HTS codes: how to check your parts

Commerce expanded the Section 232 steel derivatives list by 407 HTS codes in August 2025. The tariffs applied to goods entered from August 18. Another possible expansion came in August 2026, when the Bureau of Industry and Security proposed 14 more derivative categories.

Fasteners and many fabricated steel parts sit in HTS Chapter 73. That detail affects the weight test in the next section. Our industrial fasteners range is a typical Chapter 73 case.

Here is a five-step check for Section 232 tariffs HTS codes:

  1. Export your bill of materials with every imported part number.
  2. Ask your licensed customs broker to map each part to a 10-digit HTS code.
  3. Compare each code with Annexes I-A, I-B, II and III.
  4. Collect metal weight per part from the supplier, by alloy.
  5. Note the HTS chapter, because Chapters 72, 73, 74 and 76 follow different rules.

This guide to Section 232 tariffs is general information, not legal or customs advice. Classification is the broker's call, and a wrong code is a compliance problem, not a savings tactic.

How metal content and the 15% weight threshold work

There are two things to check when working out Section 232 tariffs. One is the value on which the duty is charged. The other is how much of the product's weight comes from metal.

For an assembly valued at $10,000, a 25% tariff means paying $2,500 in duty. The amount stays the same even if there's very little steel in the product. Previously, the duty was worked out on the steel portion alone.

Weight can make a difference for some products, though. Certain listed goods outside HTS Chapters 72, 73, 74 and 76 are subject to metals duty only if covered metals account for at least 15% of their total weight. If a product contains more than one covered metal, you need to count them together.

For instance, suppose a 40 kg enclosure meets the conditions for this test. If it contains 5 kg of steel, that's 12.5% of its weight, so the metals duty doesn't apply. But if it contains 7 kg, the percentage goes up to 17.5%. In that case, duty is charged on the entire value of the enclosure.

Chapter 73 goods don't get this exemption. Bolts, brackets and welded steel frames are assessed on their full value. With mixed-material assemblies, it's worth getting accurate weight details from the supplier. Those figures could make a difference to the duty bill, and your customs broker will need records to back them up.

Section 232 tariffs exemptions, reduced rates and drawback

True section 232 tariffs exemptions are narrow. Most relief from Section 232 tariffs comes through reduced rates and documentation.

  • US metal content. Derivatives made entirely from US-smelted and cast aluminum, or US-melted and poured steel, pay 10%. "Entirely" means at least 85% of the metal by weight since June 8, 2026.
  • Partner rates. UK-origin goods made from UK-melted or UK-cast metal can pay 15%. The June proclamation lists other partners for Annex I-C articles.
  • USMCA content. Qualifying goods pay on non-US content only, with the 15% floor.
  • Drawback. In certain cases, manufacturers can claim drawback on duties paid. To qualify, the product must appear in Annex I-B or III and must not be subject to antidumping or countervailing duties. It also needs to come from a listed trade agreement partner, with the metal produced in that country.
  • Foreign trade zones. Any covered goods admitted on or after April 6, 2026, must have privileged foreign status.

There is paperwork involved in every option for reducing Section 232 tariffs. Buyers need records showing where the metal was made, proof of origin, and a breakdown of the metal's weight. Having these documents ready from the start gives buyers more flexibility. Trying to collect them after filing the entry leaves fewer options.

Do Section 232 tariffs stack with other duties?

In most cases, yes. Section 232 tariffs are charged on top of the regular Column 1 duty rate for the 10-digit HTS classification. Chinese imports may also face Section 301 duties. Under the metals program, only one Section 232 duty applies to a product, even if it contains multiple metals.

Tariffs have changed quite a bit this year. A temporary 10% surcharge under Section 122 applied from February 24 until July 24. That was also the day a separate 10% Section 301 duty related to forced labor took effect on Indian goods. Antidumping and countervailing duties are a different matter. Those depend on the specific orders in place for each product.

Before you calculate landed costs, ask your customs broker which duties apply. The rules have changed more than once this year.

Are Section 232 tariffs still in effect? Status on October 21, 2026

Yes, Section 232 tariffs on metals are still in place, with the temporarily reduced rates set to continue until December 31, 2027. CBP explained how the June changes would take effect in its June 5, 2026 guidance (CSMS 68855869).

One issue is still unresolved. Commerce is reviewing products such as robotics and industrial machinery. That investigation could lead to tariffs, negotiations, or no action at all.

Businesses should factor the possibility of new Section 232 tariffs into their pricing plans. Otherwise, a future rate change could leave their quotes out of date.

Do Section 232 tariffs apply to goods made in India?

Yes. Section 232 tariffs have no India-specific rate on metals, and the June proclamation does not name India among reduced-rate partners. A steel derivative made by an Indian supplier pays the same tier of Section 232 tariffs as one made anywhere else. Anyone who says India avoids Section 232 tariffs on metal goods is selling something.

What changes with origin is the rest of the cost stack.

Cost layer Does the supplier's country change it?
Section 232 tariffs on metals Little. Only for listed partners or qualifying US metal
Section 301 duties on China Yes. Goods made outside China skip this layer
Normal Column 1 duty Sometimes, through the HTS line and trade programs
Labor, tooling and engineering cost Yes, and this is the largest lever
Freight, transit time and lead time Yes

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The US and India announced a framework on February 6, 2026, that mentioned an 18% rate. For now, it's best not to assume the deal rate applies.

India's advantage comes down to the total cost of getting the part delivered. Section 232 tariffs still apply to steel parts, but the extra China-specific tariffs don't. Engineering, machining and welding can also cost less in India. With DAP or DDP doorstep delivery, the agreed terms determine who handles customs entry and pays the costs. For basic steel parts that need little labor, sourcing overseas may not save much, if anything.

Tariff mitigation strategies for manufacturing buyers

Good tariff mitigation strategies for Section 232 tariffs start with data, not with a new supplier. Six moves work for most US buyers.

  1. Triage the BOM by annex. Rank parts by exposure to Section 232 tariffs in dollars. A handful of parts carry most of the cost.
  2. Get weight and alloy data per part. You cannot run the 15% test or the US-content test without it.
  3. Require melt and pour records. Mill certificates with heat numbers show where metal was made. We ship them with orders.
  4. Review the design with engineers. If a function can be met with a different material or a lighter section, a design-for-manufacturing check can test it. Your broker then confirms the classification result. The design drives the HTS code, not the other way around.
  5. Pick Incoterms on purpose. DAP, DDP and EXW decide who acts as importer of record and who files the Chapter 99 lines.
  6. Date your quotes. Rates changed on April 6 and again on June 8. Add a duty-change clause with a date trigger so a price does not outlive the rule behind it.

Supplier consolidation helps with all six. One party holding weight, origin and certificate data is easier to audit than five. That is a core reason OEM buyers use a single accountable partner.

Where Wootz.work fits

We do not classify goods or give legal advice on Section 232 tariffs. A licensed customs broker does that. What we supply is the data and the engineering around it.

The first quote on every drawing includes a free DFM review. Quotes come back in under 24 hours, built on first-principles costing of each operation. Orders ship with mill certificates and heat numbers, dimensional reports and compliance documents. Our technology platform logs quality check-ins at each stage and tracks part-level timelines, so weight and material records stay attached to the part.

Our teams in India, the UK, Europe and the US, including an office in Houston, handle the sourcing, quality and delivery in one contract. Wootz.work holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certificates. Read more about Wootz.work.

Offshore will not remove Section 232 tariffs on metal goods. If steel dominates your part, the savings come from cost structure and engineering, and we will say so before you commit.

Section 232 tariffs buyer checklist

  • Run every imported part number against the annexes that define Section 232 tariffs.
  • Record the HTS chapter and flag Chapters 72, 73, 74 and 76.
  • Get metal weight by alloy for each part.
  • Ask for melt and pour certificates on every heat.
  • Be clear about who is responsible as the importer of record.
  • Go over entries filed before April 6, 2026, with your broker to see if a protest is possible.
  • Make room for rate changes in your supplier quotes.
  • Check every quarter for updates on proposed derivative additions.

Conclusion

For Section 232 tariffs, buyers need more than a product description. Since April 2026, the full value of covered goods has generally been used to work out the duty. How much is charged comes down to the HTS code, which engineers may not have checked. Before agreeing to a price, look at the weight figures, melt and pour records, and the date on the quote. The metal's origin is worth checking as well. It won't, by itself, remove the Section 232 duty.

Send us your drawing. Your first quote comes with a free DFM review, and we will flag the weight, material and documentation data your broker needs for Section 232 tariffs. Want to check finish and tolerances first? Order a free sample box.

FAQs

Do Section 232 tariffs apply to the full value of a product?

Yes. If the goods are covered under Section 232 tariffs and were entered on or after April 6, 2026, the duty is worked out on their full customs value. It doesn't matter how much of that value comes from metal. Some listed goods outside HTS Chapters 72, 73, 74 and 76 have a different rule. Where covered metal is less than 15% of the total weight, relief may be available.

Who pays Section 232 tariffs?

The importer of record pays Section 232 tariffs to CBP, but who actually covers the cost depends on your contract. With DDP terms, the supplier or its agent handles the customs entry and often includes the duty in the quoted price. With DAP or EXW, your company takes care of filing and payment.

How do I know if my part is on the Section 232 tariffs list?

Check the HTS code first. Your customs broker can assign the correct 10-digit code to each part. You can then check that code against the proclamation annexes. Don't rely on product names alone. Even similar-looking parts may have different tariff rates, and some may not be covered at all.

Can I get a refund on Section 232 tariffs?

You can get a refund on Section 232 tariffs, but not in every case. For eligible Annex I-B and III goods made with metal from listed partner countries, manufacturing drawback may be available. If your goods entered before April 6, 2026, you may also have grounds to file a protest, depending on how the ongoing court cases turn out. Check with your customs broker before filing.

Do Section 232 tariffs stack with Section 301 duties on China?

Yes, in most cases. Section 232 tariffs and Section 301 duties both apply to the same Chinese goods, along with the normal rate. Within the metals program, one product pays one Section 232 duty even if it contains more than one metal.

Will moving production to India lower Section 232 tariffs?

Not necessarily. Section 232 tariffs don't have a separate rate for Indian metals, and India isn't among the countries that get reduced rates. Moving production to India could help avoid the additional Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods while bringing down engineering and labor costs. Whether it makes financial sense depends on the total landed cost.