Complete Guide to US Import Tariffs in 2026: Rates, Rules & How to Calculate Your Costs

What Happened: A Brief Timeline

If you're importing goods into the United States in 2026, you're dealing with a fundamentally different tariff regime than what existed just two years ago. Here's how we got here.

In early 2025, the Trump administration imposed sweeping emergency tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), applying rates of 10% to 25% on imports from nearly every major trading partner. These tariffs targeted China most aggressively but also hit allies like the European Union, Japan, and South Korea.

On February 20, 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled that the IEEPA-based tariff program was unlawful, finding that trade disputes did not constitute the type of national emergency the act was designed to address. The ruling struck down the original legal basis for the tariffs.

Within weeks, the administration pivoted to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which grants the president authority to impose temporary tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days to address balance-of-payments issues. The new framework took effect in March 2026 and is currently set to expire on July 24, 2026, though Congressional action could extend or modify it.

Current US Tariff Rates (April 2026)

The current tariff structure operates under multiple overlapping authorities. Understanding which rates apply to your imports requires looking at three factors: the country of origin, the product category, and any applicable bilateral agreements.

Section 122 Baseline Rate: 10% (Expires July 24, 2026)

The default tariff rate under Section 122 is 10% and applies to imports from most countries not covered by specific bilateral agreements or USMCA. This includes the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, and many others. Note: President Trump announced an increase to 15% on Feb 22, but the proclamation was never formally published in the Federal Register, so the effective rate remains 10%. The Section 122 surcharge is temporary — it expires on July 24, 2026 (150 days from enactment) unless Congress votes to extend it.

Bilateral Rates

Several major trading partners have negotiated specific bilateral or reciprocal rates that supersede the baseline:

• European Union:20% — reciprocal rate reflecting the large trade deficit
• Japan, Taiwan:15% — bilateral deal rate
• India:18% — bilateral deal rate
• Indonesia:up to 19% — bilateral deal
• Bangladesh:19% — reduced from initial 20% via negotiation

China: Section 301 + Section 122 = 35%

China faces the highest combined tariff rate. The original Section 301 tariffs (7.5% to 25% depending on the product) remain in effect alongside the new Section 122 baseline. For most Chinese goods, the effective combined rate is approximately 35%, making China the most expensive origin country for US importers.

Section 232: Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Semiconductors, Pharma & More

Section 232 national security tariffs have expanded significantly and apply on top of country-specific rates. As of April 6, 2026, products with 15% or less metal content are exempt. Here is the full list:

• Primary steel, aluminum, and copper: 50% tariff from all countries (applied to full customs value as of April 6, 2026)
• Steel/aluminum derivatives (nails, wire, containers, castings): 25%
• Copper derivatives (pipe fittings, cables, connectors): 50%
• Metal-intensive industrial & grid equipment: 15% transitional rate through December 31, 2027
• Automobiles and parts: 25%
• Advanced semiconductors(AI chips like NVIDIA H200, AMD MI325X): 25% (effective Jan 15, 2026). Exemptions for US data centers, R&D, startups, and consumer/industrial applications.
• Lumber & timber: Softwood 10%; upholstered wooden furniture 30%; kitchen cabinets 50%
• Patented pharmaceuticals & APIs:100% default; 20% with approved onshoring plan; 15% for EU/Japan/Switzerland; 10% for UK. Generic drugs and biosimilars are exempt. Effective July–September 2026.

Upcoming Section 232 investigationsare underway for critical minerals, commercial aircraft, polysilicon, wind turbines, unmanned aircraft systems, industrial robots, and medical equipment — additional tariffs may be announced later in 2026.

USMCA: Canada & Mexico

Goods that comply with USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) rules of origin are generally exempt from Section 122 tariffs. However, non-compliant goods and products covered by Section 232 (steel, aluminum, copper, pharma) still face duties.

How to Calculate Your Import Duty

Calculating your total import duty requires identifying the correct tariff classification for your product and applying all applicable rates. Here's the process:

1. Identify the origin country— where the product was manufactured, not where it was shipped from
2. Classify the product— determine if it falls under steel/aluminum/copper/pharma (Section 232), general goods, or a specific HTS code
3. Look up the applicable rates— Section 122 baseline, bilateral rate, Section 301 (China), and Section 232 if applicable
4. Add the rates together— multiple tariff authorities can stack on the same product
5. Multiply by your product value— the customs value (transaction value including packaging but excluding international shipping in most cases)

What Importers Should Do Now

The current Section 122 tariffs expire on July 24, 2026. This creates both uncertainty and opportunity. Here are practical steps to take:

Diversify your supply chain.If you're heavily dependent on Chinese manufacturing, explore Vietnam (18%), India (18%), or USMCA-compliant manufacturing in Mexico (potentially 0%). The cost differential is significant — sourcing from Vietnam instead of China saves 17 percentage points on general goods.

Review your product classifications.Incorrect HTS classifications can result in overpaying duties or, worse, penalties from Customs and Border Protection. Consult a licensed customs broker if you're unsure about your classifications.

Use our free tariff calculator to model different scenarios. Compare landed costs across multiple origin countries to find the most cost-effective sourcing strategy for your products.

Watch for the July 2026 deadline. Section 122 authority expires after 150 days. Congress may pass legislation to extend, modify, or replace the current framework. Sign up for trade policy news to stay informed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do tariffs apply to all imports?

Most commercial imports are subject to some form of tariff, but rates vary dramatically by product and origin country. Some goods under specific trade agreements (like USMCA-compliant goods from Canada or Mexico) may enter duty-free. De minimis shipments under $800 in value may also be exempt in some cases, though this threshold has been reduced for certain countries.

Can I avoid tariffs by shipping through a third country?

No. US Customs determines tariffs based on the country of origin (where the product was substantially manufactured), not the country of shipment. Transshipment to avoid tariffs is illegal and can result in severe penalties.

Will these tariff rates change?

Almost certainly. The Section 122 authority expires in July 2026, and ongoing trade negotiations could result in modified rates at any time. We update our calculator regularly to reflect current rates. Bookmark DutyCalc to always have the latest figures.

How accurate is the DutyCalc calculator?

Our calculator uses publicly available tariff rates and provides estimates for planning purposes. For exact duty amounts on specific HTS codes, consult a licensed customs broker or use the official Harmonized Tariff Schedule database.