Tariffs
US tariffs on goods from South Africa
The Chapter 99 tariffs written for South Africa, in force on October 21, 2026, from the same data as the calculator.
| Program | Rate | Covers | Chapter 99 headings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 301 – Forced Labor | 12.5% | All products | 9903.05.69 |
Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper, autos and parts, trucks, semiconductors, wood products, pharmaceuticals and drones apply to goods from every country, and some programs switch others off. See how US tariffs stack.
US imports
What the US imports most from South Africa
The products the US imported most from South Africa in 2025, by HTS code, and the duty each pays today.
| Product | US imports, 2025 | Share | vs 2024 | Duty today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor cars · NewHTS 8703.23.01.40 | $688M | 4.2% | 66% | 27.5%25% with AGOA |
| Diamonds · Weighing over 0.5 carat eachHTS 7102.39.00.50 | $445M | 2.7% | 53% | 12.5% |
| Unwrought aluminum · Aluminum, not alloyedHTS 7601.10.60.90 | $277M | 1.7% | 15% | 50% |
| Ferroalloys · FerrochromiumHTS 7202.41.00.00 | $169M | 1% | 13% | 1.9%0% with AGOA |
| Slag, ash and residues, containing…HTS 2620.99.50.00 | $161M | 1% | 228% | 0% |
| Refined copper and copper alloys,… · Cathodes and sections of cathodesHTS 7403.11.00.00 | $125M | 0.8% | New | 1%0% with AGOA |
| Titanium ores and concentratesHTS 2614.00.60.40 | $80M | 0.5% | 7% | 0% |
| Acyclic hydrocarbons · UnsaturatedHTS 2901.29.50.00 | $78M | 0.5% | 2% | 12.5% |
| Unwrought nickel · Nickel, not alloyedHTS 7502.10.00.00 | $68M | 0.4% | 35% | 0% |
| Citrus fruit, fresh or dried · OrangesHTS 0805.10.00.60 | $59M | 0.4% | 7% | 1.9¢/kg0% with AGOA |
US general imports from South Africa by HTS code, from the U.S. Census Bureau, without fuels and precious metals. Share is of all US imports from South Africa. Duty on a $10,000 ocean shipment entered today. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Examples
What common products from South Africa pay
The same products from China alongside, for comparison.
| Product | Duty on $10,000 from South Africa | From China | Tariffs charged |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's cotton T-shirtsHTS 6109.10.00.12 | $2,90029% | $3,65036.5% | 9903.05.69 Section 301 Forced Labor – South Africa · 12.5% |
| LaptopsHTS 8471.30.01.00 | $00% | $00% | Base rate only |
| SmartphonesHTS 8517.13.00.00 | $00% | $00% | Base rate only |
| Steel hardwareHTS 7326.90.86.88 | $5,29052.9% | $7,79077.9% | 9903.82.02 Section 232 Metals · 50% |
| Upholstered wooden chairsHTS 9401.61.40.11 | $2,50025% | $5,00050% | 9903.76.02 Section 232 Wood: Upholstered Wooden Furniture · 25% |
| ToysHTS 9503.00.00.90 | $1,25012.5% | $1,25012.5% | 9903.05.69 Section 301 Forced Labor – South Africa · 12.5% |
Customs value $10,000, entered today by ocean, with no trade agreement claimed and no exemption questions answered. Fees not included. Open a product in the calculator to answer its questions.
What tariffs apply to imports from South Africa in 2026?
Goods from South Africa pay their HTS base rate plus Section 301 – Forced Labor (12.5% on all products), plus Section 232 tariffs on metals, autos, trucks, wood, pharmaceuticals and drones. Exemptions, trade agreements and the product's HTS code decide which of these apply to a given import; the calculator on this page asks the questions for yours.
Is there still a reciprocal tariff on goods from South Africa?
No. The IEEPA tariffs, including the reciprocal tariffs, ended when the Supreme Court ruled them unlawful on February 20, 2026, and the temporary Section 122 tariff that followed has expired. Since July 24, 2026, goods from South Africa pay a Section 301 forced-labor tariff instead: 12.5% on all products. Section 232 tariffs on metals, autos, wood and other products apply to every country.
How much does the US import from South Africa?
The US imported $16.5 billion of goods from South Africa in 2025, making it the 29th-largest source of US imports (0.5% of the total). Imports from January to August 2026 were $7.9 billion, down 36.9% on the same months of 2025. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Trade in Goods by Country.
Are US tariffs on goods from South Africa lower than on goods from China?
For the 6 example products on this page, entered October 21, 2026 with no trade agreement claimed, goods from South Africa pay less on 3 and the same on 3 than the same goods from China. Men's cotton T-shirts, for instance, pay 29% from South Africa and 36.5% from China. The calculator compares any product across countries.
How much is the US tariff on men's cotton t-shirts from South Africa?
Men's cotton T-shirts under HTS 6109.10.00.12 from South Africa pay 29% on October 21, 2026: $2,900 on a $10,000 shipment, from the base rate plus 9903.05.69 (Section 301 Forced Labor – South Africa). Exemptions or a trade agreement claim can lower it.
Do goods from South Africa qualify for a US trade agreement?
Yes. Goods from South Africa that meet the rules of origin can claim AGOA. Claim it in the calculator to see the preferential base rate and any tariffs the claim removes.
How do I calculate import duty on goods from South Africa?
Enter the product's HTS code, its customs value and the entry date in the calculator above, with South Africa as the country of origin. It applies the base rate, every Chapter 99 tariff in force that day and the customs fees, and shows each line with its legal source.
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