HS (Harmonized System) code is an internationally standardized product classification system developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), adopted by over 200 countries. It consists of 6 digits globally, with countries extending to 10 digits (e.g., US HTS 10-digit, UK Commodity Code 10-digit, China HS 10-digit).

How accurate is AI HS code classification?

HSBot is built on official customs policy and real customs data. For common products, classification accuracy exceeds 95%. AI results are for reference only—actual declarations should be verified with customs authorities. Combining product details (material, usage, composition) improves accuracy.

What countries does HSBot support?

HSBot currently supports US HTS codes and UK tariff codes (import classification) and China HS codes (export classification), covering the most common China-US and China-UK trade scenarios. More countries including EU, Japan, Vietnam, and Mexico are coming soon.

How many free queries do I get per day?

Free users can make 20 classification queries per day. The quota resets at 00:00 Beijing time daily. Contact us for enterprise plans with higher limits and API access.

What is Section 232 tariff?

Section 232 tariff is an additional US import duty on steel, aluminum, and copper products based on national security grounds. HSBot automatically calculates applicable Section 232 rates based on HS code prefixes and exporting country.

What is Section 301 tariff?

Section 301 tariff is an additional US import duty on certain products from China, in response to trade practices. HSBot automatically identifies applicable Section 301 rates and checks for tariff exclusions.

What are the current Section 232 tariff rates?

As of 2026, Section 232 tariff rates are: steel 50% for China (25% for other countries, with quota-based exemptions for some), aluminum 50% for China (25% for other countries), and copper 50% (new tariff imposed in 2025).

How do I apply for a Section 232 exclusion?

Section 232 exclusion requests are filed through the Commerce Department's exclusions portal at exclusions.bis.doc.gov. You must demonstrate that the product is not available from US producers in sufficient quantity or quality, or that the exclusion serves national security interests. Exclusions are valid for one year and can be renewed.

Which countries are exempt from Section 232 tariffs?

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea have quota-based agreements that allow limited duty-free or reduced-rate imports. However, these agreements are subject to revision and may be suspended if imports exceed agreed quotas.

Does Section 232 apply to finished consumer products?

Section 232 tariffs apply to raw and semi-finished steel, aluminum, and copper products. Finished consumer products containing these metals (such as electronics or appliances) are generally not directly subject to Section 232 tariffs, though the raw materials used in their production may be.

Section 232 Tariff Guide: Steel, Aluminum & Copper

Section 232 tariffs are national security-based import duties imposed under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. As of 2026, these tariffs apply to steel (50% for China), aluminum (50% for China), and copper (50% newly imposed in 2025). This guide explains the history, current rates, affected products, exclusion process, and compliance requirements for Section 232 tariffs.

What Is Section 232?

Section 232 is a provision of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 that grants the President authority to adjust imports of goods that the Department of Commerce determines threaten to impair national security. The process involves:

Investigation by the Department of Commerce (Bureau of Industry and Security)
Determination of whether imports threaten national security
Presidential action to adjust imports through tariffs, quotas, or other measures

The key distinction from other tariff mechanisms is that Section 232 is based on national security, not unfair trade practices (Section 301) or dumping/subsidies (AD/CVD).

History of Section 232 Tariffs

Steel (March 2018 - Present)

Date	Action	Rate
March 2018	Initial imposition	25% globally
2018-2019	Country exemptions and quota agreements	Variable
2024	Rate increase discussions	25% maintained
2025	Rate increase for China	50% for China

Affected products: HTS Chapter 72 (iron and steel) and Chapter 73 (articles of iron and steel), covering flat-rolled products, bars, rods, tubes, pipes, and structural shapes.

Aluminum (March 2018 - Present)

Date	Action	Rate
March 2018	Initial imposition	10% globally
2024	Rate increase	25% globally
2025	Rate increase for China	50% for China

Affected products: HTS Chapter 76, covering unwrought aluminum (7601), bars/rods/profiles (7604), plates/sheets/strip (7606), foil (7607), and tubes/pipes (7608, 7609).

Copper (2025 - Present)

Date	Action	Rate
2025	New Section 232 investigation and tariff	50%

Affected products: Unwrought copper, copper bars, rods, and certain copper articles. This is the newest addition to the Section 232 tariff regime, reflecting concerns about domestic copper production capacity for defense and critical infrastructure applications.

Current Section 232 Tariff Rates (2026)

Product	China	Most Other Countries	Quota Countries
Steel	50%	25%	Duty-free within quota
Aluminum	50%	25%	Duty-free within quota
Copper	50%	50%	N/A (new)

Quota Agreement Countries

The following countries have bilateral agreements allowing quota-based duty-free imports:

Country	Products	Agreement Type
Argentina	Steel, Aluminum	Absolute quota
Australia	Steel, Aluminum	Duty-free
Brazil	Steel	Absolute quota
Canada	Steel, Aluminum	Duty-free (USMCA)
Mexico	Steel, Aluminum	Duty-free (USMCA)
South Korea	Steel	Absolute quota (70% of 2015-2017 average)

Note: Quota countries' agreements are subject to revision. If imports exceed agreed volumes, the full tariff rate may apply.

Product Coverage Details

Steel Products Covered

HTS Chapter	Product Categories	Examples
7208-7212	Flat-rolled products	Hot-rolled, cold-rolled, coated sheet
7213-7215	Bars and rods	Rebar, wire rod, bars
7216	Structural shapes	Beams, angles, sections
7217	Wire	Steel wire
7218-7229	Specialty steel	Stainless, alloy steel
7301-7306	Tubes and pipes	Line pipe, structural tubing
7307-7312	Pipe fittings, structures	Flanges, structures

Aluminum Products Covered

HTS Code	Product Category	Examples
7601	Unwrought aluminum	Ingots, billets, slabs
7602	Aluminum waste/scrap	Scrap (exempt from Section 232)
7604	Bars, rods, profiles	Extrusions
7605	Aluminum wire	Wire
7606	Plates, sheets, strip	Flat-rolled over 0.2mm
7607	Foil	Foil under 0.2mm
7608	Tubes	Seamless, welded tubes
7609	Tube fittings	Flanges, couplings

Exempt: Aluminum scrap (HTS 7602) is exempt from Section 232 tariffs. Aluminum cans in finished form are also generally exempt.

Section 232 Exclusion Process

Who Can File?

Importers of the specific product
Downstream users who consume the product in manufacturing
Purchasers who use the product in US production

Filing Process

Submit request through exclusions.bis.doc.gov
Provide justification: Product not available from US producers in sufficient quantity/quality, or specific national security justification
US producers may object: Domestic producers have 14 days to object to an exclusion request
Commerce Department decision: Typically within 30-90 days
Exclusion validity: One year from approval, renewable

Common Grounds for Approval

Product specifications not met by any US producer
US production capacity insufficient for demand
Quality requirements not met by US producers
Delivery timeline cannot be met by US producers

Compliance Requirements

Steel Import License (SIMA)

All steel imports must obtain an Automatic Import License through the SIMA (Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis) system:

Register at SIMA portal
File license application before import arrival
License number must appear on entry summary (CBP Form 7501)
No cost for the license

Aluminum Import License

Unlike steel, aluminum imports do not currently require a separate SIMA license. Standard import documentation applies:

Commercial invoice with HTS code
Country of origin determination
Customs bond
Importer Security Filing (ISF) for ocean freight

Country of Origin Rules

For Section 232 purposes, country of origin is determined by:

Steel: Where the steel was melted and poured (for raw steel) or where the last substantial transformation occurred
Aluminum: Where the aluminum was smelted and processed
Transshipment prohibition: Mere transshipment through a third country does not change the origin

Impact on Importers

Cost Impact

For a Chinese steel product with $10,000 CIF value:

Before 2018	After 2018 (25%)	After 2025 (50%)
$0 Section 232 duty	$2,500 Section 232 duty	$5,000 Section 232 duty

Supply Chain Adjustments

Many importers have:

Shifted sourcing to quota countries (Canada, Mexico, South Korea)
Invested in domestic US steel/aluminum suppliers
Applied for product-specific exclusions
Explored alternative materials and designs

How HSBot Can Help

Use HSBot to:

Verify Section 232 coverage for your specific HTS code
Calculate total tariff including Section 232, Section 301, and AD/CVD
Check SIMA license requirements for steel imports
Compare sourcing countries for tariff optimization
Identify exclusion opportunities for your products

Related Resources

Complete Guide to US Import Tariffs — Comprehensive overview of all US tariff types
US Import Tariff for Steel from China — Steel-specific tariff and AD/CVD details
US Import Tariff for Aluminum from China — Aluminum-specific tariff and compliance