Covers nuclear reactors, boilers, turbines, engines, pumps, compressors, air conditioning, computers, and a wide range of industrial and office machinery.

2% avg

Chapter 72: Iron and Steel

Covers pig iron, steel ingots, flat-rolled steel, bars, rods, wire, angles, and other forms of iron and steel products.

1.8% avg

Chapter 76: Aluminum

Covers unwrought aluminum, aluminum alloys, aluminum plates, sheets, foil, tubes, and fabricated aluminum structural products.

3% avg

Major Ports of Entry

Port of New OrleansPort of South Louisiana

Louisiana is one of the largest importing state, with approximately $55B in annual imports.

Major ports of entry include Port of New Orleans, Port of South Louisiana, which handle the bulk of the state's international freight.

The top import partners for Louisiana are SA, MX, CN, and RU, CO. These trading relationships reflect both geographic proximity and industry concentration within the state.

Under the current tariff regime, Louisiana's importers face the Section 301 forced-labor tariff on most non-EU goods — a two-tier 10%/12.5% duty that replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate on July 24, 2026 — while EU-origin goods fall under the EU-US trade deal's 15% all-inclusive ceiling as of July 1, 2026. Given the state's high import volume, even small tariff changes have outsized economic impact. The forced-labor tariff covers roughly 60 economies; in August 2026, 25 states sued to block it, but CBP continues collecting it while the case proceeds.

Key import product categories for Louisiana include goods from HTS chapters most relevant to the state's industrial base. Businesses in the state should monitor developments in Section 232 (metals), Section 301 (China), and the Section 301 forced-labor tariff (including the August 2026 states' suit challenging it).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Louisiana import annually?

Louisiana imports approximately $55 billion in goods annually. Major ports include Port of New Orleans, Port of South Louisiana.

What countries does Louisiana import from most?

Louisiana's top import partners are SA, MX, CN, RU, CO. These reflect the state's industry mix and geographic position.

How do tariffs affect businesses in Louisiana?

The Section 301 forced-labor tariff — a two-tier 10%/12.5% duty that replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate on July 24, 2026 — affects most non-EU imports entering Louisiana, while EU-origin goods fall under the EU-US trade deal's 15% all-inclusive ceiling as of July 1, 2026. With $55B in annual imports, even a 1% tariff change represents 0.6 billion dollars in additional costs. Businesses should factor tariff costs into purchasing decisions and explore trade agreement benefits.