US Import Tariffs by Country 2026: What Customs Brokers Need to Watch

Consumers are now facing an overall average tariff rate of 16.9%, which is the highest it's been since 1932. And that's driven mostly by new reciprocal tariffs and expanded trade restrictions rolled out over the past several months. 

If you're a customs broker, these last few years have felt different. Tariff rates are changing faster than most compliance teams can track them. You've got tariffs stacking on top of each other for the same goods. Some countries are paying 15% while others are hit with 50%. And most of these changes come through with barely a week's notice. This guide walks through which countries got hit hardest, what's driving the policy chaos, and how brokers can actually stay on top of it.

Overview of the Current US Import Tariff Landscape

Three big legal frameworks are shaping tariffs right now. First, you've got the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. Then there's Section 232, the national security tariff tool. And finally, the old Section 301 duties on China that never went away.

The Trump administration kicked off reciprocal tariffs in April 2025 under IEEPA. The idea was pretty straightforward: if a country makes it hard for American goods to get into their market, the US charges them extra to bring their stuff here. The rates were based on trade barriers documented in the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report.

Section 232 used to just cover steel and aluminum. Not anymore. Now it includes derivative products, automotive parts, copper, and even medium and heavy-duty vehicles. Meanwhile, all those old Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods? Still there. So now you can have a product from China that's getting hit with Section 301 duties, Section 232 duties, and the new IEEPA tariffs all at once. Some goods are sitting at over 50% combined.

The other curveball is that throughout 2025, the US cut deals with the UK, EU, Japan, and a bunch of Southeast Asian countries. Those deals created exemptions and special rates that you have to track individually. According to Yale's analysis, the categories getting hammered the most are apparel, anything with significant metal content like computers and electrical equipment, and motor vehicles.

Key Policy Drivers Behind Tariff Changes in 2026

So why all the changes? Here's what's really going on.

Trade deficit reduction is the headline reason. The reciprocal tariffs were designed to force countries with big trade surpluses to lower their own barriers. It's classic negotiation leverage.

But there's also a big push around supply chain security. The Section 232 expansion into copper and automotive parts is all about making sure we're not too dependent on foreign suppliers for critical materials. National security gets used as the legal justification.

Then you've got the fentanyl issue. Special IEEPA tariffs targeted China (started at 20%, now down to 10%) to pressure them on synthetic opioid precursors. Canada and Mexico got threatened with similar measures over border enforcement.

Some of the tariff moves are just straight-up retaliation or bargaining chips. Countries that came to the table and signed framework deals, like the EU and Vietnam, got rate caps or reductions. Countries that didn't? Rates stayed high or went higher.

And finally, there's enforcement of Russian sanctions. In August 2025, India got slapped with an additional 25% tariff because of concerns about Russian oil being indirectly imported through Indian exports. That brought India's total tariff burden to 50%, which caught a lot of importers completely off guard.

Countries Most Affected by New US Tariff Adjustments

China: China is still the “stacking” outlier. The reciprocal (IEEPA) rate that spiked earlier in 2025 was cut to 10% for a 90-day period in mid-May 2025, then repeatedly extended. In November 2025, the White House locked in 10% reciprocal through November 10, 2026 and also cut the fentanyl-related IEEPA duty from 20% to 10% effective November 10, 2025. That sits on top of legacy actions like Section 301 (often 7.5%-25%, with higher rates on select “strategic” categories after the 2024 review) and any applicable Section 232 measures. Bottom line: China remains the hardest country to model because rates and legal bases can layer depending on product and entry facts.

India: What changed since last year is the documentation trail is cleaner and more official: an additional 25% duty tied to Russian-oil concerns took effect August 27, 2025, and CBP guidance makes explicit that it can stack with the 25% reciprocal duty, pushing many India-origin entries to 50% before any other duties. In January 2026, Treasury signaled the added 25% could be reconsidered if India’s Russian oil imports fall, so this one is still moving.

EU: The US-EU framework built a 15% all-in ceiling for most EU exports, designed to prevent the typical “MFN + reciprocal add-on” pileup. Separate carve-outs exist for certain “zero-for-MFN” lines (including civil aircraft/parts and specific pharmaceutical categories in the public explanations), which can matter a lot for landed-cost modeling.

Vietnam: The US and Vietnam framework holds a 20% reciprocal rate for Vietnam-origin goods, with a strong emphasis on enforcement against transshipment and a pathway for selected products to receive 0% reciprocal treatment under an aligned-partner list.

Mexico: Mexico stays high-risk because rules hinge on eligibility, not just country. Mexico has remained central to enforcement discussions because USMCA qualification can change the tariff outcome, and CBP has been explicit about policing evasion and correct origin claims in the new tariff environment. Also, the policy risk is real: CRS documents that the President publicly floated a 30% tariff on Mexico effective August 1, 2025, pending negotiations, which is the kind of headline that drives “tariff engineering” behavior even before it becomes final.

South Korea: Reporting around the July 31, 2025 executive action wave consistently places South Korea among the partners landing at 15% after negotiations, rather than the much higher country rates threatened earlier in the rollout.

Sector-Wise Impact of Country-Specific Tariffs

Electronics and electrical equipment: Most electronics still have low base duty, but total costs can jump depending on where the product is made. The biggest issue right now is country of origin. When Chinese components are assembled in Vietnam or other countries, CBP looks closely to make sure the product truly changed origin and wasn’t just routed to avoid tariffs. Vietnam’s trade agreement specifically targets transshipment. Brokers should lock down HS codes early, keep bills of material, and document how products are manufactured.

Steel, aluminum, and metal-containing products: Steel and aluminum tariffs remain very high. The rules now apply not only to raw metal, but also to finished goods that contain metal, such as appliances, pipes, cables, and hardware. Importers must track where the metal was melted and processed. Some exclusions exist, but they must be claimed correctly using special tariff codes. If metal traceability is weak, shipments face higher audit risk.

Textiles, apparel, and footwear: This category is under heavy enforcement because of transshipment and undervaluation. CBP closely reviews factory information, production records, and declared prices. If paperwork looks inconsistent or incomplete, shipments can be delayed or audited. Importers should verify suppliers carefully and keep strong documentation on where goods were made and how much they truly cost.

Automotive parts and vehicles: Vehicle and auto parts tariffs are increasingly handled under national security rules rather than standard trade programs. Some countries receive special treatment through negotiated agreements. Because rates vary by origin and program, companies should avoid using a single average duty rate when forecasting costs. Each sourcing lane should be modeled separately.

Medical devices and pharmaceuticals: Medical products from China may still face multiple layers of tariffs depending on classification. Some pharmaceutical products from the EU receive lower or normal duty treatment under recent agreements. Importers should clearly map each product to the correct tariff program and confirm whether any exemptions apply before shipping.

Chemicals and fertilizers: Imports from India carry higher risk because an additional surcharge tied to Russian oil has pushed some products to very high duty levels. Chemical shipments routed through India require careful origin verification and stronger supplier documentation. Importers should confirm where the raw materials come from and whether stacked tariffs apply before entry.

What Customs Brokers Should Monitor in Upcoming Tariff Announcements

Policy is changing fast, sometimes with only a few days' notice. Here's how to keep up:

• Check the USTR Presidential Tariff Actions page daily. That's where new executive orders and exemption lists get posted.

• Watch CBP's Cargo Systems Messaging Service. CBP usually issues implementation guidance within 24 to 48 hours of an executive order. Those CSMS messages tell you exactly which HTS codes changed and how to handle entries.

• Set alerts for updates to HTS Subchapter III, Chapter 99. That's where new tariff measures get codified. CBP updates the online HTSUS to reflect new provisions.

• Pay attention to comment periods on proposed rules. Some Section 232 exclusions allow 30 days for public comment, and filing can get your clients an exclusion.

• Keep an eye on preferential trade programs like GSP. Reciprocal tariffs have messed with eligibility, so verify before claiming preferential rates.

• Review documentation requirements every quarter. New tariffs often come with new certification or affidavit requirements. CBP's stepped up post-entry audits this year.

• Watch for tariff engineering and transshipment schemes. When rate differentials hit 20% to 40% between countries, CBP scrutinizes "substantial transformation" claims hard.

The Role of Gaia Dynamics in Real-Time Tariff Intelligence

Gaia Dynamics gives brokers automated tariff tracking and HTS mapping. The platform monitors USTR orders, CBP messages, and Federal Register notices, then flags affected codes and recalculates landed costs within hours of a policy change. You can set alerts by country, HS code, and product category so changes get communicated before goods hit the port.

Conclusion

We are in the midst of the most complicated import duty environment the US has seen in 90 years. Customs brokers need to prioritize compliance audits for China, India, and Mexico. Track USTR and CBP announcements daily. Update your HTS classification and landed cost models continuously. Proactive monitoring isn't optional anymore if you want to manage audit risk and keep costs predictable.

FAQ

How often do tariffs change in 2026?
Tariff rates have changed as often as every two weeks this year, sometimes with only 3 to 7 days between announcement and effective date.

Which sources should I trust for tariff info?
The USTR, CBP, and the online HTSUS are your authoritative sources.

When do I need to reclassify an HTS code?
Reclassify immediately when CBP issues CSMS guidance creating new Chapter 99 codes or when Section 232 "derivative product" definitions expand.

How do temporary tariffs affect cost estimates?
IEEPA tariffs are legally temporary but currently treated as permanent for costing. Flag the legal risk to clients and consider contract clauses for tariff pass-through.

What is tariff stacking?
It means multiple tariff measures hit the same goods at once. For example, Chinese products can face MFN plus Section 301 plus Section 232 plus IEEPA duties, pushing combined rates over 50%.

How do I verify USMCA eligibility now?
USMCA-qualifying goods from Mexico and Canada are generally exempt from reciprocal tariffs but not from Section 232 or fentanyl-related duties. Verify the importer holds a valid USMCA certification and meets regional value content thresholds.