Tariff Compliance Update: 200% Duty Risk on Aluminum Imports Effective June 28th, 2025

Tariff Compliance Update: 200% Duty Risk on Aluminum Imports Effective June 28th, 2025

Effective June 28th, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement a critical update to Section 232 enforcement measures related to derivative aluminum products. Under this new requirement, importers must declare the country of smelt and cast at the time of entry for all applicable aluminum products.

What This Means:

Importers who fail to provide accurate smelt and cast country data will be required to report the origin as “unknown.” When “unknown” is selected, importers must use HTS subheadings 9903.85.67 or 9903.85.68, depending on the product classification. This declaration will automatically trigger a 200% ad valorem duty, equivalent to the rate currently imposed on imports from the Russian Federation.

This measure is designed to enhance transparency in the aluminum supply chain and prevent circumvention of Section 232 tariffs through transshipment or ambiguous sourcing.

Required Action:

To ensure compliance and avoid excessive duties, importers should take the following steps immediately:

• Verify with all suppliers that they can provide the Country of Smelt and Country of Cast (also referred to as Melt/Pour) for every derivative aluminum product being imported.
• Update internal documentation and customs entry processes to include these data points moving forward.
• Review product classifications and HTS codes to confirm whether Section 232 measures apply to your goods.

Failure to provide this information by the compliance date will result in substantial financial impact through the automatic imposition of a 200% duty on affected entries.

How Radius International Can Help:

At Radius International, we understand the complexity and urgency of trade compliance. Our team is actively monitoring regulatory changes and is available to:

• Review your import documentation for accuracy and completeness
• Coordinate with your suppliers to confirm and document the required origin information
• Assist with HTS code validation and tariff impact assessments

We strongly encourage clients to act now, prior to the June 28th deadline, to ensure a smooth transition and to avoid unnecessary duty costs or entry delays.

For personalized support or further clarification, please reach out to your dedicated Radius International representative or contact our compliance team directly.