US Tariffs 2026: What Importers Need to Know
Summary: The tariff landscape changed a lot in 2026. A Supreme Court ruling struck down most IEEPA tariffs. De minimis got cut worldwide. And a new Section 122 duty is now in effect. Here's what each importer needs to know.
What Happened: The Supreme Court Ruling That Changed Everything
In February 2026, the Supreme Court ruled in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump that IEEPA tariffs were unconstitutional. This one decision wiped out the legal basis for most tariffs set since 2025. That's an estimated $166 billion in duties collected from over 330,000 businesses.
The ruling means importers who paid IEEPA-based tariffs may get refunds. US Customs and Border Protection is handling claims now. Still, the process needs proper paperwork and filing within statutory deadlines. In short: the duty may be gone, but the refund is not automatic.
Current US Tariff Structure (March 2026)
To see the real impact, look at tariff stacking by HS chapter. Multiple duties apply at once. Here are five common import categories. Each shows its 2026 duty stack for China-origin goods. Know which stack applies to your goods.
Electronics (HS Chapter 85 — smartphones, laptops, components) start simple. Base MFN rate is 0% for most finished electronics under GATT. Section 301 List 3 adds 25% on components and List 4A adds 7.5% on finished consumer devices. Some semiconductor inputs face 50% under the 2024 Biden-era action. Total: 7.5–50% depending on the exact HTS code.
Apparel and clothing (HS Chapters 61–62): Base MFN rate is 10–32% depending on fiber content. Section 301 List 3 adds 25%. No Section 122 exemption applies to apparel. Total: 35–57% on China-origin garments. Vietnam-origin avoids Section 301 but still faces MFN (10–32%) plus Section 122 (10–15%).
Furniture (HS Chapter 94): Base MFN rate is 0% for most wood furniture. Section 301 List 3 adds 25%. Section 232 can apply if the piece contains steel components. Total: 25–35% for typical wood furniture from China.
Machinery and industrial equipment (HS Chapters 84–85): MFN rates range 0–3.5% for most industrial equipment. Section 301 rates of 25% apply to manufacturing equipment on Lists 1–3. Some capital goods have active exclusions — check the USTR exclusion database before booking. Total: 3.5–28.5%.
Steel and aluminum products (HS Chapters 72–76) face a broad rule. Section 232 applies at 25% on steel and 10–25% on aluminum. For China-origin, add Section 301 at 25%. Combined rate: 50% on most Chinese steel products. The EU and Japan have quota-based exclusions. These cut Section 232 to 0% within quota limits. To estimate landed duties on your own goods, try our free tariff simulator.
| Tariff Type | Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Section 122 Global Duty | 10-15% | Active — expires July 24, 2026 |
| Section 301 (China) | 7.5-25% | Under new investigation (March 2026) |
| Section 232 (Steel/Aluminum) | 25% / 10% | Active — some EU exclusions |
| USMCA-compliant (Mexico/Canada) | 0% | Active — renegotiation in 2026 |
| EU-origin goods | MFN rates (0-6%) | No FTA in force |
| Vietnam/India/Indonesia | MFN rates + Section 122 | Active — under Section 301 review |
The De Minimis Elimination: What It Means for Your Shipments
As of February 24, 2026, the US eliminated the $800 de minimis exemption globally. Every single import shipment now needs formal customs entry, no matter its value. This means HTS classification, country of origin checks, and full duty payment. The old rule is gone for good. Plan for it on every order.
This hits e-commerce brands and small importers. It also hits any company that shipped individual parcels under $800 to avoid duties. The impact is huge. Millions of shipments once cleared customs on their own. Now they need a licensed customs broker. Budget for that broker fee on each parcel.
Here's a sample tariff stack for a China-origin parcel worth $200 under the new rules. Before August 2025, that parcel entered duty-free. After February 24, 2026, here's the breakdown. Base MFN duty on a garment (HTS 6109.10.00) is 16.5%. Section 301 List 4A adds 7.5%, and Section 122 adds 10%. MPF has a $31.67 minimum for formal entry. Total duties on a $200 garment run roughly $68–$75, plus $150–$300 in customs broker fees. The real landed cost of that $200 item roughly doubles.
For cross-border e-commerce, this means one of two things. Your pricing model must absorb landed-cost increases. Or it must shift to a broker consolidation strategy. Some brands now pre-clear goods in bulk at the port. This shifts them away from a de minimis postal flow. They move to a formal warehouse-and-distribute model. It needs a licensed customs broker and a US EIN. You also need an HTS classification for each SKU in your catalog.
On August 29, 2025, CBP began rejecting informal entries below $800 that once cleared without review. Businesses that kept using the postal channel after that date took on real risk. They faced cargo holds, formal entry demands, and duty bills applied after the fact.
How to Claim IEEPA Tariff Refunds
- Gather your entry documentation: Collect all customs entry summaries (CF-7501) for shipments where IEEPA tariffs were paid. You need the entry number, date, HTS code, and duty amount for each.
- File a protest with CBP: Submit CBP Form 19 (Protest) within 180 days of liquidation for each entry. Include the Supreme Court ruling citation and your calculation of the refund amount.
- Work with your customs broker: Your customs broker or freight forwarder can file protests in bulk for you. This is a lot faster and cuts the risk of mistakes that could delay your refund.
- Monitor refund processing: CBP is processing refunds in batches. This can take 30-180 days, depending on volume and how complex your case is. Your broker can track the status of each protest.
Strategies to Minimize Your Tariff Exposure in 2026
- Get your HTS code right. Many importers overpay duties because their goods sit under the wrong HTS code. A tariff review can often cut rates by 5-15%.
- Country of origin engineering can help too. Your product may have parts from multiple countries. If so, the right origin call can qualify it for preferential treatment under FTAs.
- Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) — bringing goods into an FTZ defers duties until they enter US commerce. Goods re-exported from an FTZ pay zero duties.
- First Sale valuation — your supply chain may have several sales before import (factory to trader to importer). If so, you may use the first sale price as the customs value. This lowers the dutiable amount.
- Bonded warehousing — store goods in a bonded warehouse. Pay duties only when goods leave the warehouse for domestic sale. This helps manage cash flow.
- USMCA and FTA use — make sure you claim all available preferential tariff treatment. Many importers leave money on the table. They fail to file the right FTA certificates.
What's Coming Next: Section 301 Investigations in 2026
In March 2026, the US launched new Section 301 investigations. These target imports from China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Mexico, and Japan. They also target the EU and dozens more countries. These investigations could lead to new targeted tariffs within 6-12 months.
Importers should get ready in three ways. Diversify sourcing and pre-qualify backup suppliers. Work with a customs broker who watches tariff changes. They can adjust classification plans early. Start now, not when the news breaks.