Commerce Department Proposes Expanding Section 232 Duties on Additional Steel, Aluminum, and Copper Products

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has published a proposed rule that would expand Section 232 tariffs to include 14 additional derivative products containing steel, aluminum, and copper.

If finalized, the proposal would apply new tariffs to a variety of imported products, including:

  • Aluminum powder
  • Brass wind musical instruments and related parts
  • Welding machine and apparatus parts
  • Floor safes
  • Certain electric conductor cables
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Heat exchanger parts
  • Hydraulic engine and motor components
  • Self-propelled cranes, mobile lifting frames, and straddle carriers
  • Various types of trailers

Proposed Duty Rates

Under the proposal:

  • 25% Section 232 duties would apply to most of the newly listed aluminum, steel, and copper derivative products.
  • 15% Section 232 duties would apply to certain self-propelled cranes, mobile lifting frames, straddle carriers, and specified trailer classifications.

What This Means for Importers

Although these duties have not yet been implemented, businesses importing affected products should begin evaluating their Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications and reviewing their sourcing strategies in anticipation of potential changes.

The Commerce Department is currently accepting public comments before issuing a final determination.

How Radius International Can Help

Trade regulations continue to evolve rapidly, making proactive compliance more important than ever. Radius International is closely monitoring this proposal and any subsequent guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

If your business imports products that may be affected, our customs and trade specialists are available to help evaluate potential impacts, review tariff classifications, and develop strategies to minimize disruption.

For questions about how these proposed Section 232 changes could affect your supply chain, contact the Radius International team today.