U.S. importers of European Union (EU)-origin steel and aluminum should be aware that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced changes to Section 232 additional duty requirements on EU-origin steel and aluminum products effective January 1st, 2022.
This is welcome news for importers – it means they save money. Currently importers pay 10% additional duties on aluminum products, and 25% on steel products.
The USTR will implement a tariff rate quota (TRQ) system for both steel and aluminum products, which will be administered quarterly. To be eligible for duty-free treatment under the TRQs, both steel and aluminum imports must be “melted and poured” in the EU.
- Steel TRQ: An annual limit of 3.3 million metric tons (MMT) for 54 product categories
- Aluminum TRQ: An annual limit of 18 thousand metric tons (TMT) for unwrought aluminum under two product categories, and 366 TMT for semi-finished (wrought) aluminum under 14 product categories
In addition, derivative products of steel and aluminum of EU origin will no longer be subject to Section 232 duties.
Please note that products currently covered by a Section 232 exclusion will not be counted against the TRQ.
Please direct any questions regarding Section 232 duties to your Livingston account manager.