Steel and Aluminum Imports in the U.S.
Import tariffs imposed on certain steel and aluminium products from 23 March 2018
On 8 March 2018 the USA announced that, for national security reasons, it was introducing new import tariffs of 25% on certain steel products and of 10% on certain aluminium products. These tariffs apply to imports from all partner countries (including Switzerland), with the exception of those from Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and South Korea. However, steel and aluminium imports from Argentina are subject to quotas, as are steel imports from Brazil and South Korea.
Derivatives no longer subject to additional duty
On 24 January 2020 the USA announced that, for national security reasons, it would impose additional tariffs of 25% on certain derivative steel products and 10% on certain derivative aluminium products with effect from 8 February 2020. The US Court of International Trade declared these additional tariffs invalid on 5 April 2021.
Product-specific exemption requests
For certain steel and aluminium products it is possible to apply for exemptions from the tariffs described above. The US Department of Commerce is responsible for examining these requests. Forms and detailed information on this process can be found at https://www.commerce.gov/232.
The portal for requests for product exclusions is at Section 232 Exclusions. On this page you will also find a user guide and frequently asked questions about the exclusion procedure. Please refer also to additional information at Steel: Information on the Exclusion Process.
User Guide
FAQ
How should be proceeded?
General remarks:
- Exclusion requests for specific products must be submitted by subsidiaries or official representatives in the USA or by US customers (“only individuals or organizations using steel in business activities (e.g. construction, manufacturing or supplying steel product to users) in the United States”).
- Requests are examined from a national security perspective to determine whether a product is manufactured in the USA to a satisfactory quality and in a sufficient and reasonably available quantity.
Requests submitted on or after 13 June 2019:
Contact with the US authorities:
- For questions about the exclusion process, please contact steel232@bis.doc.gov; tel. +(1) 202-482-5642 for questions about steel.
- If you have any problems uploading the forms to the Section 232 Exclusions portal, please contact the Portal Support Help Desk on +(1) 202-482-3203 or 232ExclusionsPortal@bis.doc.gov.
Aluminium Import Monitoring and Analysis System
On 28 June 2021 the US Department of Commerce introduced an automatic import licensing system so that it can monitor import trends in the aluminium sector. Further information, including the list of products that are subject to the Aluminium Import Monitoring and Analysis System, can be found here:
Aluminium Import Monitoring and Analysis System: updates on aluminium import licensing
Product list: aluminium products HTS codes
WTO dispute settlement process – measures imposed by the USA on certain steel and aluminium products
Since 23 March 2018, the US has been applying additional duties of 25% on imports of certain steel products and 10% on imports of certain aluminium products, invoking national security reasons. Like eight other WTO members, Switzerland initiated WTO dispute settlement proceedings against these measures in 2018, considering them to be in violation of WTO law. The proceedings were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and took more than four years in total. The panel notified the WTO of its ruling on 9 December 2022, concluding that the US measures violate several provisions of the GATT. and that they are not justified by the security exception invoked by the US.
Panel report, 9 december 2022 - FR / EN
