Nicaragua Tariff Rates 2026: 10% on US Imports
As of 2026-07-24, US imports from Nicaragua carry an effective tariff of about 10%. This combines the 10% Section 301 forced-labor baseline (which replaced Section 122 on July 24, 2026) applied to countries without a separate deal, with Section 232 metals tariffs of 50% on steel and 50% on aluminum charged separately. The rate fell from 18% after the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs in February 2026, so importers who paid the higher rate between April 2025 and February 2026 may qualify for refunds. Goods qualifying under the CAFTA-DR may enter with reduced or zero base duty, though the forced-labor tariff still applies. The 10% Section 122 tariff (effective Feb 24, 2026) expired at its 150-day limit on July 24, 2026 and was replaced the same day by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff (10%, or 12.5% for higher-tier economies).
Last verified July 24, 2026 · Source: USITC HTS · Section 122 / 301 / 232 · run your exact numbers
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If you imported goods from Nicaragua between April 2025 and February 2026, you likely paid the 18% IEEPA tariff that was later ruled unconstitutional. You may be owed a refund.
Section 232 rates shown apply to articles wholly of steel, aluminum, or copper. Since the April 6, 2026 restructuring, qualifying derivative products are dutied at 25% on their full customs value rather than 50%. Verify your product’s classification — the exact 232 treatment depends on HTS code and metal content.
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Nicaragua Import Tariff Overview
Nicaragua is a CAFTA-DR partner, so qualifying goods enter the US duty-free; the 10% base tariff — the Section 301 forced-labor tariff that replaced Section 122 on July 24, 2026 — applies to products outside CAFTA-DR. Nicaragua's pre-ruling IEEPA rate was 18%, so most goods have seen an effective reduction.
CAFTA-DR has governed US-Nicaragua trade since 2006, supporting apparel, cigar, and agricultural exports, though the US maintains targeted sanctions on specific Nicaraguan officials and entities that importers should screen for. General merchandise trade continues under the agreement, and Nicaragua is not part of any other US FTA. Importers should verify counterparties against the current OFAC sanctions lists.
Key Products Imported from Nicaragua
Top imports include knit and woven apparel, premium hand-rolled cigars, coffee, beef, gold, bananas, and sugar. Nicaragua is one of the leading premium cigar exporters to the US market.
Recent Changes
SCOTUS struck down the IEEPA reciprocal tariffs on Feb 20, 2026 (a $166B refund pool is being paid), and Nicaragua's rate fell from an 18% IEEPA level to the 10% Section 122 rate, which then expired July 24, 2026 and was replaced the same day by the 10% Section 301 forced-labor tariff. CAFTA-DR duty-free access is unchanged, de minimis has ended for all origins, and importers should continue screening for targeted US sanctions.
Tips for Importers
Claim CAFTA-DR preference with valid certification to keep qualifying apparel and cigars duty-free, and screen all counterparties against the OFAC SDN list given targeted US sanctions on certain Nicaraguan entities. Importers who paid the 18% IEEPA rate on 2025 entries should review eligibility for the CBP refund pool created by the SCOTUS ruling.
How Are US Tariffs on Nicaragua Imports Calculated?
US import duties on goods from Nicaragua are determined by multiple overlapping tariff authorities. The base layer is the 10% Section 301 forced-labor tariff, which replaced the expired 10% Section 122 tariff on July 24, 2026 and applies to most countries without a separate trade deal. Section 232 tariffs of 50% on steel and 50% on aluminum apply to metals imports, regardless of the forced-labor tariff. Nicaragua benefits from the CAFTA-DR, which can eliminate MFN base duties on qualifying goods — though the forced-labor tariff still applies on top of FTA preferences.
To calculate the total duty on a specific import from Nicaragua, use our US import duty calculator or landed cost calculator for a complete estimate including Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) and Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF). You can also compare Nicaragua rates with other countries to evaluate sourcing alternatives.
Already importing from Nicaragua? If you paid the higher pre-SCOTUS IEEPA rate in 2025, you may be able to claim an IEEPA tariff refund. And if you re-export or manufacture with imported goods, duty drawback can recover up to 99% of the duties you paid — both are separate from the rates above.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Note: Rates shown do not include potential anti-dumping or countervailing duties (AD/CVD), which may apply to specific products and can significantly increase total duty. Consult a customs broker for product-specific rates.