Section 232 Steel & Aluminum Tariffs: 2025 Update (50% Rate)
Updated 2025 guide to Section 232 tariffs: 50% on steel AND aluminum from ALL countries including Mexico and Canada. NO USMCA exemption. Only US-melted/smelted material exempt.
What Are Section 232 Tariffs? (2025 Update)
Section 232 tariffs were imposed in 2018 and significantly increased in 2025. As of June 4, 2025:
CRITICAL 2025 CHANGE: These tariffs now apply to ALL countries with NO USMCA exemption. Mexico and Canada pay the same 50% as China.
The ONLY exemption is for US-origin material (US-melted steel, US-smelted aluminum).
NO USMCA Exemption (2025 Policy Change)
IMPORTANT: The 2018-2024 USMCA exemption for Section 232 was REMOVED in 2025.
As of June 4, 2025:
The ONLY exemption remaining:
Canadian steel (even if melted in Canada) now faces 50% duty. Mexican aluminum (even if smelted in Mexico) now faces 50% duty.
This is a major change from 2024 policy.
Country-Specific Rates (2025)
All previous quota arrangements and country exemptions have been modified:
No More Quotas: The previous quota systems for Brazil, South Korea, and Argentina have been superseded by the universal 50% rate.
The only way to avoid Section 232 is to source US-melted steel or US-smelted aluminum with proper documentation.
Products Covered by Section 232
Section 232 covers a broad range of steel and aluminum products:
Steel products include:
Aluminum products include:
Derivative products (like certain downstream goods containing steel/aluminum) may also be covered.
How to Avoid Section 232 Tariffs in 2025
The ONLY way to avoid Section 232 tariffs in 2025:
What does NOT work:
Our platform helps you track steel and aluminum content and calculate the 50% tariff impact.
Related Industry Guides
See how these tariff rules apply to specific industries:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does USMCA exempt steel from Section 232 in 2025?
NO. As of June 4, 2025, there is NO USMCA exemption for Section 232. Mexico and Canada pay the same 50% tariff as all other countries. Only US-melted steel is exempt.
Q: What if my product contains small amounts of steel/aluminum?
Section 232 applies to steel and aluminum products specifically. Products containing steel/aluminum components may face different treatment depending on classification.
Q: Can I request a Section 232 exclusion?
Product exclusion requests can be submitted to the Commerce Department, but with the 2025 universal 50% rate, success rates are very low. Sourcing US-origin material is the most reliable strategy.