Puerto Rico

Policy in motion

Tariff status: a moving target

No U.S. tariff action names Puerto Rico. These are the universal measures — applied to every country without a country-specific arrangement — that set its treatment.

1. 2026-04-06

   Section 232 metals coverage expanded

   In effect

   The April 2026 proclamation strengthening Section 232 actions on aluminum, steel, and copper expanded derivative-product coverage for all countries, keeping the general metals rate at 50%.

   91 FR 18201 →

2. 2026-02-24

   IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122 surcharge

   In effect

   Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties — including the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — effective February 24, 2026. A flat 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012 of February 20, 2026) replaced them, leaving the universal rate unchanged at 10% on a different statutory basis. Section 122 caps such surcharges at 150 days, so this 10% surcharge is scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 absent further action (the administration has signaled it could raise the rate toward the 15% statutory maximum).

   91 FR 9437 →

3. 2025-11-13

   Agricultural products exempted from reciprocal tariffs

   In effect

   Executive Order 14360 of November 14, 2025 removed reciprocal duties from certain agricultural products listed in its annexes (coffee, cocoa, bananas, and other goods the U.S. does not produce in sufficient quantity), retroactive to November 13, 2025 — for all countries subject to the reciprocal tariff.

   90 FR 54091 →

4. 2025-06-04

   Section 232 steel and aluminum duties doubled to 50%

   In effect

   The June 3, 2025 proclamation raised Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum articles and derivatives from 25% to 50% for all countries, effective June 4, 2025.

   90 FR 24199 →

5. 2025-04-05

   Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect

   In effect

   Executive Order 14257 (signed April 2, 2025) imposed a 10% ad valorem reciprocal duty on imports from all trading partners, effective April 5, 2025. Countries without a higher Annex I rate remain at this baseline.

   Federal Register · 2025-06063 →

6. 2025-03-12

   Section 232 steel and aluminum duties set at 25% for all countries

   In effect

   Proclamations of February 10, 2025 terminated all country exemptions and quota arrangements and applied 25% Section 232 duties to steel and aluminum imports from every country, effective March 12, 2025.

   90 FR 9817 →

Reference

The country itself

Central America N Caribbean · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, Puerto Rico was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 after Christopher COLUMBUS' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted that provided for internal self-government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status with the US, but the results of a 2012 vote left open the possibility of American statehood. A referendum held in late 2020 showed a narrow preference for statehood. Economic recession on the island has led to a net population loss since about 2005, as large numbers of residents moved to the US mainland. In 2017, Hurricane Maria was the worst storm to hit the island in eight decades, and damage was estimated in the tens of billions of dollars.