US Tariffs on Imports from France

France now faces a 10% Section 122 tariff (effective Feb 24, 2026), down from 20% under the struck-down IEEPA regime. As one of the US's largest European trading partners at ~$65B in annual imports, the 10-point rate cut benefits aerospace (Airbus), wine and Champagne, luxury goods, and pharmaceuticals — though Section 232 steel/aluminum tariffs of 50% remain unchanged.

France is one of the US's largest European trading partners and an EU member subject to the bloc-wide Section 122 rate. The trade relationship has been complicated by disputes over digital services taxes, agricultural subsidies, and the Airbus-Boeing conflict. France is a major aerospace supplier (Airbus has significant French operations in Toulouse) and the world's leading wine and spirits exporter. The Champagne region's protected designation of origin makes French sparkling wine a unique trade category.

Key Products Imported from France

Top imports include aircraft and aerospace components (Airbus), wine and spirits (Champagne, Bordeaux, Cognac), pharmaceuticals, perfumes and cosmetics, machinery, and luxury goods (LVMH, Hermes, Chanel). France is also a significant supplier of nuclear fuel and technology.

Recent Changes

Feb 20, 2026: SCOTUS struck down IEEPA tariffs 6-3 — France's rate dropped from 20% to 10% under Section 122 (effective Feb 24, expires ~July 24, 2026). Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs of 50% remain. The Boeing-Airbus dispute tariffs on French wine remain suspended, but the 10% Section 122 tariff still applies. French wine now competes at a lower tariff than before but still faces a disadvantage versus Australian (AUSFTA duty-free) and Chilean (FTA duty-free) wines. France's digital services tax remains a bilateral tension point. EU retaliatory tariffs on US goods remain in effect but may be revisited.

Tips for Importers

The 10-point tariff reduction improves French wine competitiveness significantly — Champagne and Bordeaux now face 10% Section 122 plus MFN wine duties instead of the old 20% + MFN. However, Australian and Chilean wines still enter duty-free under FTAs, maintaining a structural advantage. Airbus aircraft and aerospace components should be classified under specific HTS codes — civil aircraft often carry 0% MFN, making the 10% Section 122 the only layer. Pharmaceuticals enter at 0% MFN. For LVMH, Hermes, and Chanel luxury goods, first-sale valuation can reduce the dutiable value when buying through distributors. Cognac and spirits face 10% Section 122 plus specific MFN duties. The Section 122 tariff expires ~July 24, 2026 — plan inventory accordingly.