US creates half-rate Section 232 aluminum import program tied to new primary aluminum capacity

More Section 232 updates

• Oct 16, 2026CBP issues HSU 2625 with Section 232 pharmaceutical updates and CPSC flag changes

  CBP's CSMS # 70220191 announces Harmonized System Update (HSU) 2625, created September 29, 2026, with 57 harmonized tariff records and 304 ABI records. It contains Section 232 pharmaceutical updates (details referenced in CSMS # 70054007), corrections to assessment reduction rates for live porcine animals and pork products under the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order, and CPSC PGA flag changes. The CPSC flag changes from CP2 to CP1 on 14 HTS codes, and CP2 is removed from 9613802010.

• Oct 14, 2026Commerce seeks comment on information collection for steel and aluminum tariff adjustment program

  The International Trade Administration has issued a Paperwork Reduction Act notice requesting comment on extending information collection OMB Control Number 0625-0285. The collection covers submissions by steel and aluminum producers with facilities in Canada or Mexico that commit to new U.S. primary steel or primary aluminum production. Under Proclamation 10984, such producers may obtain reductions of Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs (Proclamations 9704 and 9705) of up to half the applicable rate, but not below 25 percent. The reduction applies only to USMCA-qualifying steel melted and poured, or aluminum smelted and cast, in Canada or Mexico, in quantities equal to newly committed U.S. capacity. Comments are due August 17, 2026; the notice does not change any tariff rate.

• Oct 14, 2026Commerce defines "U.S. content" for USMCA metal goods under Proclamation 11032 tariffs

  A Bureau of Industry and Security notice gives CBP guidance on assessing "U.S. content" under clause (2)(d) of Proclamation 11032 of June 1, 2026, which adjusted the Section 232 tariffs on aluminum, steel and copper. It applies to products of Canada and Mexico that qualify for USMCA preferential treatment. U.S. content means the value attributable to parts wholly obtained, entirely produced or substantially transformed in the US. It also covers, where not already counted, the value of steel melted and poured or aluminum or copper smelted and cast in the US. The guidance applies to goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after 12:01 a.m. ET on October 14, 2026.

• Sep 24, 2026BIS sets anti-stockpiling import limits on polysilicon products ahead of Section 232 tariffs

  A Commerce/BIS temporary final rule (15 CFR Part 705, Supplement No. 1) implementing Proclamation 11052 restricts stockpiling of polysilicon and derivatives before the Section 232 minimum import prices and tariffs take effect on December 4, 2026. Existing importers of record found importing volumes substantially above their historic averages can be barred from further entries until December 4. New importers of record registered with CBP on or after August 6, 2026 may import only up to set weekly quantities per HTSUS code: 12 kg for 2804.61.00, 7 kg for listed 3818.00 codes, 2,000 units for 8541.42.00 and 55 units for 8541.43.00. Affected importers can apply to BIS for a waiver between September 22 and December 3, 2026. The rule also removes the old aluminum and steel inclusions process.