Tariffs on China Tackle Opioids: New Duties Hit Supply Chain Hard
Published Date: 2/5/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting February 1, 2025, the U.S. is adding extra taxes on certain products coming from China to help stop synthetic opioids from entering the country. This means importers of these Chinese goods will pay more, making it tougher for harmful drugs to sneak in. These changes kick in right away and could impact prices and trade with China.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
New Duties on Chinese Products
Starting February 1, 2025, the Secretary of Homeland Security will modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to impose specified rates of duty on imports that are products of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The changes are implemented pursuant to the President's February 1, 2025 Executive Order and are set out in the annex to the notice.
Importers Will Face Higher Costs
Importers of the affected Chinese goods will pay higher duties beginning February 1, 2025, because specified rates of duty on products of the People's Republic of China are being added. These higher duties will increase import costs for businesses that bring in those covered articles.
Potential Broader Price and Trade Effects
The notice states these changes could impact prices and trade with China. The additional duties take effect on February 1, 2025, and could change import prices and trade flows between the United States and the People's Republic of China.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16911, Accuracy of Importer of Record Data Submitted to CBP
Starting September 18, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will crack down on importers by making sure all their info on Form 5106 is 100% accurate. If importers or their brokers mess up or give wrong details, their Importer of Record (IOR) numbers could be canceled right away. This means importers need to double-check their info to avoid losing their IOR number and facing enforcement actions.
2026-16432, Imposition of Import Restrictions on Categories of Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Nepal
This document amends U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to reflect the imposition of import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological material from the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (Nepal). These restrictions are imposed pursuant to an agreement between the United States and Nepal, entered into under the authority of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act. This document amends the CBP regulations by adding Nepal to the list of countries which have bilateral agreements with the United States imposing cultural property import restrictions and contains the Designated List, describing the archaeological and ethnological material to which the restrictions apply.
2026-15610, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension; Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). The information collection is published in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.
2026-15609, Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision; Cargo Manifest/Declaration, Stow Plan, Container Status Messages and Importer Security Filing
The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). The information collection is published in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.
2026-15530, Customs User Fees To Be Adjusted for Inflation in Fiscal Year 2027
This document announces that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is adjusting certain customs user fees and corresponding limitations established by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for Fiscal Year 2027 in accordance with the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) as implemented by the CBP regulations.
2026-15310, Air Declaration Zone Test: Extension
This notice announces that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is extending the Air Declaration Zone Test for an additional two years. Current CBP regulations require each traveler to provide a CBP officer with an oral or written declaration of all articles brought into the United States. The Air Declaration Zone Test streamlines the processing of travelers who enter the United States at air ports of entry by allowing a demonstrative initial declaration to separate travelers who do not have items to declare from those who have items to declare and, in some cases, replace the provision of oral or written declarations.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-02264, New Postal Products
The Postal Service just filed a new deal for special mail services, and the Commission is checking it out. This affects businesses and customers who use these special mail options, with possible changes in prices or services soon. Everyone’s invited to share their thoughts before any final decisions are made!
Next: 2025-02294, Termination of the October 3, 2023 Designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status
The U.S. government has decided to end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans granted under the 2023 designation, effective April 7, 2025. This means Venezuelan nationals covered by the 2023 TPS will no longer be allowed to stay temporarily in the U.S. after that date. However, the earlier 2021 TPS designation for Venezuela stays active until September 10, 2025, so some Venezuelans still have protection for a bit longer.