New Copper Tariffs Start Friday

On July 30, 2025, the White House released a proclamation, Adjusting Imports of Copper into the United States, implementing new tariffs on certain copper imports.

Effective August 1, 2025, a 50% duty rate will be assessed on products specified in the Annex (to be released) of the proclamation, which includes all imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products.

“In my judgment, the action in this proclamation will, among other things, help increase domestic production of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, thereby reducing our Nation’s reliance on foreign sources.” – U.S. President Trump

Details

What products are impacted?

All imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, as set forth in the Annex (not released at the time of publishing) of the proclamation.

Duty Rate

The rate of duty shall be assessed at 50%.

Effective Date

This tariff shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 1, 2025.

Harmonized Tariff Schedule Modifications

The United States International Trade Commission and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall determine whether any modification to the HTSUS is necessary to effectuate this proclamation and shall make such modification through notice in the Federal Register.

Future Additions

Within 90 days after the date of this proclamation, the Secretary shall establish a process for including additional derivative copper articles, consistent with the processes established pursuant to the Section 232 proclamations for aluminum and steel.

Copper Tariff Application / Interaction with Other Tariffs

• The copper tariffs shall apply only to the copper content of articles subject to this proclamation.
• IEEPA China, Canada, Mexico, Reciprocal: The non-copper content of all copper articles subject to this proclamation shall be subject to Reciprocal tariffs and any other applicable duties, including those imposed by IEEPA Canada, IEEPA Mexico, IEEPA China.

• Section 232 Auto / Auto Parts: If any product is subject to tariffs under both Section 232 Copper and Section 232 Automobiles and Automobile Parts, the product shall be subject to only the duties imposed by Section 232 Automobiles and Automobile Parts.

FTZ

Any product subject to these tariffs, that is subject to a duty imposed by this proclamation and that is admitted into a U.S. foreign trade zone (FTZ) on or after the effective date of this proclamation must be admitted as “privileged foreign” status and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rate s of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading.

Drawback

No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this proclamation.

Future Plans

• The Secretary shall continue to monitor imports of copper and its derivatives and inform the President of any circumstances that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate the need for further action by the President under section 232.

• By June 30, 2026, the Secretary shall provide the President with an update on domestic copper markets, so that the President may determine whether imposing a phased universal import duty on refined copper of 15% starting on January 1, 2027, and 30% starting on January 1, 2028, as previously recommended.

Miscellaneous

• Copper input materials and high-quality copper scrap meet the criteria specified in section 101(b) of the DPA, 50 U.S.C. 4511(b), the Secretary shall take all appropriate action to implement the domestic sales requirements that he previously recommended.

• The U.S. intends to coordinate with the UK to adopt a structured negotiated approach to addressing the national security threat in the copper sector.
• CBP shall issue authoritative guidance mandating strict compliance with declaration requirements for copper content in imported articles and outlining maximum penalties for noncompliance, including that importers who submit underreported declarations may be subject to severe consequences, such as significant monetary penalties, loss of import privileges, and criminal liability, consistent with United States law.

Have Questions? Contact your local NNR Representative.

We will continue to monitor this tariff action and provide updates as they become available.