Section 232 tariffs are import duties authorized by the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 when the U.S. Department of Commerce determines that imports threaten national security. The program covers steel, aluminum, copper, and autos. Rates run from 25% to 50% depending on the product and country of origin. For U.S. importers, these duties stack on top of Section 301 and Reciprocal Tariff Act rates, compounding landed cost pressure across multiple supply chains.
Under 19 USC §1862, the president can impose duties or quotas after a DOC investigation concludes that import volumes endanger domestic industrial capacity. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) within the DOC administers the program and publishes all actions in the Federal Register.
Which Products Fall Under Section 232 in 2026
Section 232 coverage has expanded significantly since 2018. The four active product categories are below.
Steel and Steel Derivatives (HTS Chapter 72, 73)
A 25% tariff on steel mill products took effect March 23, 2018 (Proclamation 9705). HTS Chapters 72 and 73 cover hot-rolled coil, cold-rolled sheet, structural beams, pipes, tubes, and fabricated steel products. Several countries negotiated quota agreements in exchange for tariff exemptions. Those exemptions have been narrowed or eliminated for most trading partners in 2026. Work the steel and aluminum tariffs guide for current country-specific rates.
Aluminum and Aluminum Derivatives (HTS Chapter 76)
Aluminum entered the Section 232 program at 10% in March 2018 (Proclamation 9704). The rate was raised to 25% for most countries in 2026. HTS Chapter 76 covers primary aluminum, alloyed aluminum, plates, sheets, foil, tubes, and pipes. Derivative products (parts made primarily from aluminum) are also covered.
Copper and Copper-Intensive Products (HTS Chapter 74)
A 50% Section 232 tariff on copper was announced in 2026. HTS Chapter 74 covers refined copper, copper alloys, wire, rods, plates, and tubes. This is the highest Section 232 rate applied to any commodity. Importers sourcing copper wire, bus bars, or heat exchangers should recalculate landed costs immediately. Review the full copper tariff breakdown for HTS-level detail.
Autos and Auto Parts (HTS Chapter 87)
A 25% tariff on passenger vehicles and auto parts took effect in 2026. HTS Chapter 87 covers passenger cars, light trucks, and a defined list of auto parts. The parts list includes engines, transmissions, body stampings, axles, and suspension components. Vehicles qualifying under USMCA are subject to different treatment depending on regional content percentages.
Current Section 232 Rates and Duty Stacking
The table below shows the active Section 232 rates as of 2026:
- Steel: 25% (most countries); higher for certain steel derivative products
- Aluminum: 25% (most countries)
- Copper: 50%
- Autos and auto parts: 25%
Section 232 duties are additive. An importer bringing in Chinese steel pays the Section 232 steel duty (25%) plus Section 301 list duties (if the HTS code appears on a Section 301 list) plus the Reciprocal Tariff Act rate (145% for China). The combined rate can exceed 170% on affected steel products. Use the Captain tariff tracker to calculate stacked duties by HTS code and country of origin before each purchase order.
How the Section 232 Exclusion Process Works
BIS operates the Section 232 exclusion portal under 15 CFR Part 705. Importers, manufacturers, and other interested parties can request product-specific exclusions. An approved exclusion lets a named company import a defined product at zero Section 232 duty.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, the requester must show that the product is not produced in the U.S. in sufficient quantities, not produced in adequate quality, or not available in a timely manner from domestic sources. The request must identify the specific HTS subheading and describe the product in technical terms that match the actual import.
BIS Exclusion Portal Walkthrough
File the exclusion request through the BIS Section 232 exclusion portal. The submission requires a company profile, product description, quantity requested, domestic supplier objection process, and supporting documentation. After submission, domestic steel or aluminum producers can file objections within 30 days. BIS adjudicates the record and issues a determination published in the Federal Register. The USITC provides data support for BIS on many requests.
Common Rejection Reasons
BIS rejects exclusion requests when domestic availability is not adequately disproven, when the product description does not precisely match the HTS subheading, or when a domestic producer successfully objects with capacity evidence. Requests without specific mill certifications or technical specs are also frequently denied.
Section 232 vs Section 301 vs Section 122
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These three tariff authorities overlap but have different legal bases and triggers.
- Section 232: National security threat to domestic industry. No expiration. Applies globally with country-specific carveouts. BIS administers.
- Section 301: Unfair trade practices by a foreign government. China-specific in current application. USTR administers. See the full Section 301 tariffs on China analysis for list-by-list breakdowns.
- Section 122: Balance-of-payments emergency. Maximum 15% rate. Maximum 150-day duration. Has not been used as a comprehensive surcharge in modern trade history.
The Reciprocal Tariff Act adds a fourth layer based on bilateral trade deficits. All four programs can apply simultaneously to a single shipment.
How Importers Reduce Section 232 Exposure
Three mechanisms reduce or defer Section 232 duties without changing the HTS classification:
- Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ): Goods admitted to an FTZ before a rate proclamation takes effect enter at the pre-proclamation rate. FTZs also eliminate duties on goods re-exported without entering U.S. commerce.
- Customs bonded warehouse: Duties are deferred until withdrawal for consumption. If a rate drops or an exclusion is granted, the importer can withdraw at the lower rate.
- Section 232 exclusion: Company-specific exclusions eliminate the duty entirely for approved products and quantities.
A tariff consulting firm can identify which mechanism applies to your product and model the savings against setup costs. The trade advisory services team runs the landed cost comparison across all three options before recommending a strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Section 232 tariffs still active in 2026?
Yes. Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum remain fully active in 2026. Copper and auto parts were added in 2026. No sunset date applies. Congress can modify the program through legislation, but the executive orders implementing current rates remain in force.
What is the current Section 232 tariff rate on steel?
The base rate is 25% for most countries. Some country-specific agreements set different rates or quotas. Check the Federal Register for the most recent proclamation applying to your supplier’s country of origin.
Can I file a Section 232 exclusion request as an importer?
Yes. Importers, manufacturers, and purchasers of steel and aluminum products can file exclusion requests through the BIS Section 232 exclusion portal. The process requires product-specific documentation and a showing that domestic supply is insufficient.
Do Section 232 tariffs stack with Section 301 China tariffs?
Yes. If a Chinese steel product appears on a Section 301 list, both the Section 232 rate and the Section 301 rate apply. The Reciprocal Tariff Act rate also stacks. All three are cumulative on top of the base HTSUS Column 1 duty.
Is there a Section 232 refund mechanism?
There is no standalone refund program for Section 232 duties. However, Section 232 duties are generally eligible for duty drawback under 19 USC §1313, meaning importers who re-export finished goods can recover up to 99% of duties paid on the imported inputs.
What HTS codes are covered by Section 232 copper?
Section 232 copper covers HTS Chapter 74, which includes refined copper (7401-7403), copper alloys (7403-7407), copper plates, sheets, strip, and foil (7409-7410), copper tubes and pipes (7411), and copper wire (7408). Check the specific proclamation for the exact HTS subheadings covered.
How long does a Section 232 exclusion request take?
BIS targets 90 days for a determination, but complex requests with objections from domestic producers can take 6-12 months. Plan procurement timelines accordingly. An approved exclusion is retroactive to the date of filing, so duties paid during the review period can be recovered.
Section 232 exposure is predictable when you map it by HTS code before placing orders. The tariff consulting firm team runs HTS-level Section 232 analysis as part of every import cost review. The trade advisory services team then models exclusion eligibility, drawback recovery, and FTZ deferral to find the lowest landed cost path.
