Steel & Aluminum Tariff Rates 2026: US Import Duties by Country & HTS Code

What This Covers

The steel and aluminum surcharge covers steel products, aluminum sheets, bars, semi-finished metals, and related products classified under HTS chapters 72-76. This sector is uniquely governed by Section 232 national security tariffs. After the April 6, 2026 restructure, the rate is two-tier: 50% applies to articles wholly or primarily of steel, aluminum, or copper (primary products in HTS chapters 72/73/74/76, doubled from 25% in June 2025), while derivative articles with more than 15% applicable metal content are dutied at 25% — in both cases assessed on the full customs value of the article. The UK pays 25% under the Economic Prosperity Deal. These Section 232 tariffs were not affected by the Supreme Court's February 20, 2026 ruling. Importantly, Section 232 goods are excluded from the 10% Section 122 surcharge to the extent the 232 duty applies — Section 122 reaches only any non-metal content — so a wholly-metal article stays at 50% (not 60%). The Section 122 tariff (effective February 24, 2026, expiring ~July 24, 2026) is itself legally contested: the Court of International Trade ruled it unlawful on May 7, 2026, but the Federal Circuit stayed that injunction on June 11, 2026, so CBP continues collecting the 10% pending appeal.

Most Affected Countries

Since the April 6, 2026 restructure, Section 232 is product-based rather than country-uniform: articles wholly or primarily of steel/aluminum/copper carry 50% (doubled from 25% in June 2025) while derivative articles substantially made of those metals carry 25%, in both cases on the full customs value (the UK has a 25% arrangement under EPD). Canada, Brazil, and Mexico are significant steel suppliers whose wholly-metal articles face the full 50% rate, with derivatives at 25%. South Korea has a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) arrangement allowing a set volume at reduced rates, with the full Section 232 rate applying once quotas are exceeded. Section 122 does not stack on the Section 232 metal content, so a wholly-metal article is dutied at its Section 232 rate alone.

How Surcharges Stack

Steel and aluminum tariff stacking begins with the Section 232 duty as the base layer, which was unaffected by the SCOTUS ruling and applies regardless of other trade preferences. Since the April 6, 2026 restructure, the base layer is two-tier: 50% on articles wholly or primarily of steel/aluminum/copper (Annex I-A primary products) and 25% on derivative articles substantially made of those metals (Annex I-B), both assessed on the full customs value. Because this sector spans HTS chapters 72-76, which includes many derivative articles now at 25%, not every shipment is dutied at 50%. Critically, Section 232 goods are excluded from the 10% Section 122 surcharge to the extent the 232 duty applies (Section 122 reaches only any non-metal content), so a wholly-metal article stays at 50% — not 60% — and a derivative article stays at 25% on its metal content. The UK's EPD rate is 25% on metal articles. What DOES stack is Section 301 (China) and any MFN base on non-metal content. Countries with TRQ arrangements may import within their quota at reduced Section 232 rates.

Sourcing Strategies

The uniform 10% Section 122 rate has leveled the playing field among steel exporters, meaning sourcing decisions can focus on quality, lead time, and base pricing rather than navigating country-specific tariff differentials. Importers should closely monitor quota utilization rates for countries with TRQ arrangements, as timing shipments within quota periods still reduces Section 232 costs. Sourcing from Canada and Mexico under USMCA provides the most favorable treatment for the Section 122 component, though Section 232 tariffs may still apply depending on product and exemption status. With Section 122 expiring around July 24, 2026, importers should anticipate a potential reduction in the total tariff stack, though Section 232 duties will persist.