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Vehicles (not Railway) from South Africa Tariff: 50% (2026)

Tariff Rate Breakdown

10%

Section 122 Base

50%

Section 232

50%

Effective Rate

The 50% Section 232 rate applies to articles wholly of steel, aluminum, or copper (derivatives are 25%), on full customs value. The 10% Section 122 surcharge does not stack on the Section 232 metal content — it reaches only any non-metal portion — so a wholly-metal article’s effective rate is 50%, not 60%.

The United States imports substantial quantities of vehicles (not railway) from South Africa, with approximately $20B in total bilateral trade.

As of mid-2026, vehicles (not railway) imports from South Africa face a base tariff rate of 10% under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. This rate replaced the previous IEEPA reciprocal tariff following the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Learning Resources v. Trump (with V.O.S. Selections) on February 20, 2026.

Under the Trade Act of 1974, Section 122 tariffs are limited to 150 days. The current 10% rate expires around July 24, 2026. Congressional action would be required to extend these tariffs beyond that date.

Products in this chapter may be subject to Section 232 metals tariffs. Since the April 6, 2026 restructuring these are two-tier: 50% on articles wholly of steel, aluminum, or copper and 25% on derivative articles, on the full customs value (doubled from 25% to 50% in June 2025). The 10% Section 122 surcharge does NOT stack on the Section 232 metal content, so a wholly-metal article runs about 50%, not 60%.

Key products in HTS Chapter 87 imported from South Africa include Passenger cars, Pickup trucks, SUVs, Motorcycles, Bicycles, and Auto parts.

Common Products in Chapter 87

Passenger carsPickup trucksSUVsMotorcyclesBicyclesAuto partsTrailersElectric vehiclesTires (mounted)Buses

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current tariff rate on vehicles (not railway) from South Africa?

As of mid-2026, vehicles (not railway) from South Africa face a base tariff of 10% under Section 122. Section 232 metals tariffs apply to steel/aluminum/copper articles — 50% on articles wholly of the metal and 25% on derivatives (full customs value); the 10% Section 122 does not stack on the metal content. The effective rate is about 50% on the most-affected products.

Will the tariff on vehicles (not railway) from South Africa change?

The Section 122 tariff of 10% expires approximately July 24, 2026, unless Congress extends it. Section 232 tariffs on metals also have no set expiration. Monitor legislative developments for updates.

How did the Supreme Court ruling affect vehicles (not railway) imports from South Africa?

The Supreme Court's February 20, 2026 ruling struck down IEEPA reciprocal tariffs as exceeding presidential authority. The president signed a replacement 10% tariff under Section 122 the same day, effective February 24.