Steel from China: 50% US Tariff (2026)

Chinese steel faces a 50% Section 232 tariff on articles wholly of steel, effectively pricing it out of the US market for most applications. Derivative steel articles face 25% on full customs value, and the 10% Section 122 surcharge does not stack on the steel content of a Section 232 article — so a wholly-steel article is 50%, not 60%.

The tariff structure: Section 232 tariffs on steel were doubled to 50% in June 2025 (from 25%). As of the April 6, 2026 restructuring, articles wholly or primarily of steel are at 50% while derivative steel articles are at 25%, both assessed on full customs value. Section 301 tariffs technically also apply to Chinese steel, but in practice, the Section 232 rate is the binding constraint, and anti-circumvention rules prevent most Chinese steel from entering regardless of route.

Chinese steel imports to the US have collapsed since Section 232 was first imposed in 2018. From over 3 million metric tons annually before Section 232, Chinese steel shipments to the US dropped to under 500,000 metric tons. The tariff has been effective at its stated goal of reducing Chinese steel imports.

Anti-circumvention enforcement is a major issue. CBP and Commerce have investigated multiple cases where Chinese steel was shipped through third countries (Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand) with minimal processing to evade Section 232. The Enforce and Protect Act and AD/CVD orders provide additional enforcement mechanisms. If you're importing steel from any country, ensure your supply chain doesn't inadvertently involve Chinese-origin material.

For importers who need Chinese-specification steel: domestic US mills (Nucor, US Steel, Cleveland-Cliffs) now produce many grades previously sourced from China. Alternative import sources include South Korea (quota arrangement), Japan (50% on steel articles), EU countries (50%), Brazil (50%), and Australia (10%, exempt from Section 232).

The 50% Section 232 rate is unlikely to decrease — Section 232 enjoys bipartisan support and strong domestic industry lobbying.