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Railway Equipment from South Korea Tariff: 10% (2026)

Tariff Rate Breakdown

10%

Section 122 Base

10%

Effective Rate

KORUS — qualifying goods may enter duty-free

Among US trading partners for railway equipment, South Korea plays a notable role, with approximately $169B in total bilateral trade.

Following the Supreme Court's landmark February 20, 2026 decision striking down IEEPA tariffs, imports of railway equipment from South Korea are now subject to a 10% base tariff under the Section 301 forced-labor tariff, which replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate (in effect February 24 – July 24, 2026).

This 10% base surcharge is the Section 301 forced-labor tariff that replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate when Section 122's 150-day authority expired on July 24, 2026. The final action covers roughly 60 economies under a two-tier 10%/12.5% structure — broader than the earlier 46-country proposal.

Railway Equipment (HTS Chapter 86) carry an average MFN duty rate of 2% in addition to the base forced-labor tariff. No additional Section 232 or Section 301 surcharges apply to most products in this category from South Korea.

South Korea is party to the KORUS, which may provide preferential or duty-free access for qualifying railway equipment. Importers should verify rules of origin requirements to take advantage of preferential rates.

Key products in HTS Chapter 86 imported from South Korea include Locomotives, Railway passenger coaches, Railway freight cars, Railroad track and rails, Railway signaling equipment, and Shipping containers.

Common Products in Chapter 86

LocomotivesRailway passenger coachesRailway freight carsRailroad track and railsRailway signaling equipmentShipping containersTramway rolling stock

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current tariff rate on railway equipment from South Korea?

As of mid-2026, railway equipment from South Korea face a base tariff of 10% under the Section 301 forced-labor tariff, which replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate on July 24, 2026. The effective rate is about 10% on the most-affected products.

Will the tariff on railway equipment from South Korea change?

The flat 10% Section 122 tariff expired July 24, 2026 and was replaced the same day by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff; South Korea's current 10% base surcharge is that two-tier (10%/12.5%) rate, covering roughly 60 economies. In August 2026, 25 states sued to block the forced-labor tariff, but CBP continues collecting it while the case proceeds.

How did the Supreme Court ruling affect railway equipment imports from South Korea?

The Supreme Court's February 20, 2026 ruling struck down IEEPA reciprocal tariffs as exceeding presidential authority. The president signed a replacement flat 10% tariff under Section 122 the same day, effective February 24; that rate expired July 24, 2026 and was replaced by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff (now 10% for South Korea). Qualifying goods under KORUS may still enter duty-free.