50% Tariffs Now Apply to Steel, Aluminum & Copper on Full Customs Value
Effective April 2, 2026, Section 232 tariffs were revised so articles made entirely or almost entirely of steel, aluminum, or copper face a flat 50% tariff on full customs value rather than just metal content.
Effective April 2, 2026, the Administration revised Section 232 tariffs so that articles made entirely or almost entirely of steel, aluminum, or copper are now subject to a flat 50% tariff on their full customs value, not just the metal content. Derivative articles with substantial metal content face 25%, while metal-intensive industrial equipment is taxed at 15% through 2027. These changes significantly impact procurement costs across manufacturing, construction, and industrial supply chains.
Why it matters
The shift to full-customs-value calculation significantly increases effective tariff costs for metal-intensive products. Businesses in construction, manufacturing, and industrial sectors face substantially higher import costs.
Watchouts
Review all metal-containing products for Section 232 applicability. Renegotiate supplier contracts where possible. Explore domestic sourcing alternatives to reduce tariff exposure.