Updates on de minimis, Venezuelan oil, lumber and steel/aluminium tariffs
For information on the newly announced reciprocal tariffs announced by the United States on 2 April, 2025, see this update's Top Story.
Duty free status ends for low-value goods from China and Hong Kong
On 2 April, 2025, the White House issued an executive order announcing the end of de minimis eligibility for deliveries from China and Hong Kong. Starting 2 May 2025, imported goods valued under $800 will require an U.S. Customs entry and will be subject to all applicable duties, including those imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Postal deliveries valued under $800 will be subject to a 30% duty rate or $25 per item, which will increase to $50 per item after 1 June 2025. U.S. Customs and Border Protection may also require formal customs entries for postal packages.
U.S. tariffs on countries buying oil from Venezuela
On 24 March, 2025, the White House published an executive order authorising a 25% tariff from any country that imports Venezuelan oil, with an implementation date to be based on direction from the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
Potential U.S. tariffs on lumber and timber
On 1 March, 2025, the White House published an executive order directing the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to initiate an investigation under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to determine how national security is affected by imports of timber, lumber and their derivative products.
Section 232 tariff updates
The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a notice that beer cans and empty aluminium cans will be subject to Section 232 duties as aluminium derivatives, effective 4 April 2025. Empty aluminium cans (HTS 7612.90.10) will be added to the tariff list for 9903.85.07 (subdivision j). Imported beer (HTS 2203.00.00) will be added to the tariff list for 9903.85.08 (subdivision k).
On 1 April, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced four tariffs had been inadvertently added to the Section 232 aluminium derivatives list requiring 25% duties. A correction was made on 27 March, 2025, no longer requiring Section 232 for HTS numbers 8519.99.8010, 8418.99.8015, 8418.99.8020 and 8418.99.8025. For affected customs entries, a post-summary correction can be filed to obtain refunds for duties paid.
On 24 March, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection updated their Section 232 Tariffs on Steel and Aluminium Frequently Asked Questions web page. The FAQs includes guidance on topics including:
- Calculating the value of steel or aluminium content in derivative products
- Reporting Russia as the country of smelt and cast for aluminium products and derivatives when the actual countries are unknown, requiring paying a 200% tariff. A post-entry correction can be filed if the actual countries become known.
- Entry reporting requirements, including breakdowns for sets and when there is zero aluminium or steel content in flagged Harmonised Tariff Schedule numbers
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