Updates on de minimis, Venezuelan oil, lumber, and steel/aluminum tariffs
For information on the newly announced reciprocal tariffs announced by the United States on April 2, 2025, see this update's Top Story.
Duty free status ends for low-value goods from China and Hong Kong
On April 2, 2025, the White House issued an executive order announcing the end of de minimis eligibility for shipments from China and Hong Kong. Starting May 2, 2025, imported goods valued under $800 will require a U.S. Customs entry and will be subject to all applicable duties, including those imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Postal shipments valued under $800 will be subject to a 30% duty rate or $25 per item, which will increase to $50 per item after June 1, 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 March 24, 2025, the White House published an executive order authorizing 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 March 1, 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 aluminum cans will be subject to Section 232 duties as aluminum derivatives, effective April 4, 2025. Empty aluminum 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 April 1, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced four tariffs had been inadvertently added to the Section 232 aluminum derivatives list requiring 25% duties. A correction was made on March 27, 2025, no longer requiring Section 232 for HTS numbers 8519.99.8010, 8418.99.8015, 8418.99.8020 and 8418.99.8025. For impacted customs entries, a post-summary correction can be filed to obtain refunds for duties paid.
On March 24, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection updated their Section 232 Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Frequently Asked Questions web page. The FAQ includes guidance on topics including:
- Calculating the value of steel or aluminum content in derivative products
- Reporting Russia as the country of smelt and cast for aluminum 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 aluminum or steel content in flagged Harmonized Tariff Schedule numbers
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