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

2% avg

Chapter 85: Electrical Machinery

Encompasses electrical and electronic equipment including motors, generators, transformers, batteries, semiconductors, televisions, and telephones.

2.5% avg

Chapter 39: Plastics

Encompasses plastics in primary forms (polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, PET) and articles of plastics such as containers, tubes, and packaging.

4.2% avg

Chapter 73: Articles of Iron or Steel

Includes articles made of iron or steel such as structures, containers, wire products, screws, bolts, springs, stoves, and radiators.

3.5% avg

Major Ports of Entry

Port of Providence

Importers based in Rhode Island handle approximately $4 billion in goods annually, making it a notable participant in US international trade.

Major ports of entry include Port of Providence, which handle the bulk of the state's international freight.

The top import partners for Rhode Island are CN, IT, CA, and DE, GB. These trading relationships reflect both geographic proximity and industry concentration within the state.

Under the current tariff regime, Rhode Island'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. The shift from variable IEEPA rates to the narrow 10%/12.5% forced-labor tiers has simplified compliance for many businesses. 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island import annually?

Rhode Island imports approximately $4 billion in goods annually. Major ports include Port of Providence.

What countries does Rhode Island import from most?

Rhode Island's top import partners are CN, IT, CA, DE, GB. These reflect the state's industry mix and geographic position.

How do tariffs affect businesses in Rhode Island?

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 Rhode Island, while EU-origin goods fall under the EU-US trade deal's 15% all-inclusive ceiling as of July 1, 2026. With $4B in annual imports, even a 1% tariff change represents 0.0 billion dollars in additional costs. Businesses should factor tariff costs into purchasing decisions and explore trade agreement benefits.