Drone Tariffs Begin Sept 3

On August 13, 2026, U.S. President Trump issued a proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Components into the United States. The new tariffs under Section 232 will begin on September 3, 2026.

The products impacted include drones, docking stations, parts or components for use in or with unmanned aircraft systems with a maximum take-off weight of more than 25 kg, and other unmanned aircraft, with or without thermal imaging. Systems exceeding 25kg for retail delivery use, agricultural use, or sale to the Department of War are excluded.

Special tariff treatment is available for products of Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, UK, and EU member nations. Additionally, the proclamation authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to incentivize new investment in U.S. production facilities to produce UAS and UAS components. Companies with approved onshoring plans will be able to import covered products without paying the applicable Section 232 duties.

Key Details

Start Date

The tariffs are rolled out over two phases: September 3, 2026 and February 9, 2027.

September 3, 2026

• 100% ad valorem: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and UAS docking stations and critical components listed in Annex I.
• 25% ad valorem: UAS listed in Annex II.

February 9, 2027

• 25% ad valorem: UAS components listed in Annex III.

Additional HTS Numbers

All Countries

9903.08.20, [0%]: Articles provided for in the enumerated provisions of subdivision (c) of U.S. note 43 to this subchapter that are not for use in or with the products described therein …..

9903.08.21 [100% Additional Duty]: for the UAS and UAS docking stations and critical components listed in Annex I to this proclamation, unless a lower rate of duty applies pursuant to clause (4) or (6) of this proclamation; and

9903.08.22 [25% Additional Duty]: for the UAS listed in Annex II to this proclamation, unless a lower rate of duty applies pursuant to clause (4) or (6) of this proclamation.

Special Tariff Treatment

United Kingdom

9903.08.23 [10% Additional Duty]: Unmanned aircraft, their parts and components that are the product of the United Kingdom, as provided for in subdivisions (d) of U.S. note 43 to this subchapter …………..

Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan or a member nation of the European Union

9903.08.24, [15% Total Tariff (Sum of Section 232 + Column 1 Duty)]: Unmanned aircraft, their parts and components that are the product of Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan or a member nation of the European Union, as provided for in subdivisions (d) of U.S. note 43 to this subchapter ……….

Products Imported Related to the an Approved Onshoring Plan

9903.08.25, [0%]: Unmanned aircraft, their parts and components, as provided for in subdivision (c) of U.S. note 43, imported for companies subject to an onshoring plan approved by the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of War [Scheduled End Date: February 9, 2027]

9903.08.26, [0%]: Unmanned aircraft, their parts and components, as provided for in subdivision (c) of U.S. note 43, imported subject to an onshoring plan approved by the Secretary of Commerce in accordance with a process to be established in a Federal Register notice …………………..

FTZ

Any product described in Annex I, Annex II, or Annex III to this proclamation, except those eligible for admission as “domestic status” as described in 19 C.F.R. 146.43, that is subject to a duty imposed by this proclamation and that is admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after the effective date of this proclamation, must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” as described in 19 C.F.R. 146.41 and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading.

Drawback

Only manufacturing drawback claims made in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) of section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1313(a)–(b), shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this proclamation on articles that meet the following conditions:

(a)  The article is not of a type of merchandise subject to an antidumping or countervailing duty order, without regard to whether the article is from the country or countries listed in the order or orders;

(b)  The article is a product of Trade Agreement Partners, composed of the United Kingdom, the European Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Canada, and any trading partner with which the United States concludes a trade and security agreement; and

(c)  At least 85 percent of the content of the article is a product of Trade Agreement Partners.

Additional Information

The CSMS is not available. Check back later.

Federal Register :: Adjusting Imports of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Components Into the United States

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