Recently, the United States announced that 407 additional imported steel and aluminum derivative products will be included in the scope of the 25% tariff imposed under Section 232. The list officially took effect at 12:01 Beijing Time on August 18, and all products on the list that enter the consumption link or are picked up from warehouses must be taxed in accordance with the new policy.
This adjustment is actually a continuous escalation of the United States' trade supervision.
● Significant Expansion of Tax Scope: On the basis of the original 303 products, the list adds 407 new steel/aluminum derivative products, expanding the tax scope to 710 types.
Steel products related: https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3ee1cba?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2
Aluminum products related: https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3ee1ce7?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2
● Strict Definition of Levy Time
In-transit goods are not exempted. Whether the goods are shipped on or after August 18, or already in transit, as long as they are on the list, a 50% tariff must be levied on the value of the steel/aluminum components—there is no grace period!
● More Complex Tax Filing Method
It mainly follows the principle of "component splitting": A 50% Section 232 tariff is levied on the value of steel/aluminum components in the product, and countervailing tariffs are not superimposed. For non-steel/aluminum components, other applicable tariffs (such as Section 301 tariffs, countervailing tariffs, and fentanyl-related tariffs) must still be paid.
In simple terms, "steel and aluminum components are taxed separately, and other components are taxed as usual."
The calculation of tariffs requires comprehensive consideration of the value of the steel/aluminum components in the product and other tariffs payable on the non-steel/aluminum components.
Sellers can calculate based on the actual situation of their products to accurately understand the amount of additional tariffs that need to be levied on the products. Behind the figures lies the actual increase in trade costs and a sharp rise in compliance difficulties.
The expansion of the tariff scope will directly lead to a surge in sellers' customs clearance costs.
Products such as home appliances and furniture already have relatively limited profit margins. After the tariff increase, their profit margins will be severely squeezed, and they may even face losses. At the same time, the customs inspection rate has increased noticeably. From the logistics perspective, the skyrocketing customs inspection rate will significantly raise the probability of cargo detention, which not only delays delivery timelines but also incurs additional storage fees. For seasonal products, if inspections cause them to miss peak sales seasons (such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday), the losses may far exceed the tariffs themselves.
Amid stricter customs inspections and tighter rule boundaries, proactive defense is the key to breaking the deadlock. Compliance is the lifeline of cross-border trade—especially with the sharp rise in inspection rates, every detail can determine the success or failure of customs clearance.
It is recommended that sellers strengthen compliance defenses and control risks through details:
- Verify product codes: Cross-check the latest complete list released by U.S. Customs to confirm whether the HS codes of the products sold are newly included in the tariff scope, building the first "breakwater".
- Strictly manage the declaration process: Every character on the customs declaration form may become the focus of customs inspection. Is the product description accurate in outlining its characteristics? Are the materials and contents of steel and aluminum supported by data? Is the purpose description consistent with the actual goods? Any vague statements or attempts to evade compliance by luck may trigger a chain reaction of fines, cargo detention, or even return of goods.
- Establish a component traceability system: For products containing steel and aluminum components, it is recommended to retain complete raw material procurement certificates and material testing reports to provide solid evidence for the "component splitting" declaration.
Beyond compliance, flexible layout is essential to cope with sudden risks. Zhongjing Cross-Border Logistics has deployed 2.5 million square feet of self-operated warehouses across the U.S., with a monthly processing capacity of 350,000 orders. Through the linkage of 16 warehouses, it covers more than 90% of the U.S. population. Combining historical inspection data and port congestion indexes, it matches the optimal warehousing and shipping routes for seasonal products, avoiding nationwide stockouts caused by inspections at a single port.
Meanwhile, Zhongjing conducts comprehensive monitoring of the customs clearance status of in-transit goods. Once an inspection alert is issued, it immediately intervenes to assist in supplementing declaration documents and communicating the inspection process, minimizing detention time and reducing additional costs.
Policies are volatile; proactive defense is paramount.
U.S. trade policies are adjusted frequently and are characterized by uncertainty. Rising costs are already a reality, and passive waiting will only amplify losses. Leveraging over 20 years of international customs clearance experience, Zhongjing works side by side with sellers to review product structures, achieve reasonable tax burden allocation within compliance boundaries, and ensure every piece of documentation stands up to scrutiny.
