US Section 232 steel tariffs in 2026: what an importer of hot-rolled coil pays

Verification status: Verified against primary sources on 14 October 2026. Uncertain items are flagged.

Since 6 April 2026 the United States charges Section 232 duty on steel articles at 50% of the full customs value, regardless of origin (Proclamation 11021 of 2 April 2026, Annex I-A).

There is one main exception for primary steel: the rate is 25% for UK steel that was melted and poured in the United Kingdom (Proclamation 11021, clause 2(b); CBP CSMS 68855869, HTS 9903.82.04).

Derivatives are taxed in tiers. Proclamation 11021 set 25% on derivative products that are mostly steel, aluminium or copper, and a temporary 15% on certain industrial machinery and power equipment. Proclamation 11032 of 1 June 2026 added new derivatives and cut some rates, and derivatives whose steel was melted and poured in the US pay 10%. In short: 25% on derivative articles in general, with 15% and 10% tiers.

The general (MFN) duty on hot-rolled coil is low: in the US tariff schedule (HTSUS), heading 7208 lines such as 7208.37.00 and 7208.39.00 are listed as Free. Section 232 comes on top of that.

Worked example

A buyer pays $650/t for Korean HRC. Section 232 adds 50% of $650, or $325/t. The duty-paid cost before freight, port and inland costs is $975/t. Illustration only; US customs value is normally the transaction value without ocean freight.

What Loharo does not cover yet

Flag: US anti-dumping and countervailing duties on hot-rolled steel depend on the producer and the case. Loharo does not yet track these rates. Check the US Commerce Department’s Enforcement and Compliance case list before you buy.

Sources

• Proclamation 11021, Federal Register, 9 April 2026 (primary)
• Proclamation 11032, Federal Register, 4 June 2026 (primary)
• CBP CSMS 68855869
• USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (primary)
• ITA Enforcement and Compliance