# 2025-23892: Nicaragua Tariffs Spike for Rights Abuses: U.S. Trade Pushback

2025-23892, Notice of Implementation of Action: Nicaragua's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Labor Rights, Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and the Rule of Law, is a Federal Register notice from Trade Representative, Office of United States published 2025-12-29, effective 2026-01-01 (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23892
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-23892
- Title: Notice of Implementation of Action: Nicaragua's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Labor Rights, Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and the Rule of Law
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Trade Representative, Office of United States
- Citation: 90 FR 60850
- Published: 2025-12-29
- Effective: 2026-01-01
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Nicaragua Tariffs Spike for Rights Abuses: U.S. Trade Pushback

## Summary

The U.S. is taking action against Nicaragua because of unfair labor and human rights practices that hurt American businesses. Starting January 1, 2026, tariffs on Nicaraguan products will increase, with more hikes in 2027 and 2028. This means imports from Nicaragua will cost more, aiming to push for better treatment of workers and respect for the law.

## Abstract

Pursuant to Section 305(a) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2415(a)(1)), this notice implements action determined by the United States Trade Representative (U.S. Trade Representative) in this investigation and announced on December 10, 2025.

## Effects PRIA read

- Phased Tariff Increases on Nicaragua: cost, medium. Imports from Nicaragua that are not originating under CAFTA-DR will face additional duties phased in over three years: 0% for goods entered on or after January 1, 2026, 10% for goods entered on or after January 1, 2027, and 15% for goods entered on or after January 1, 2028.
- CAFTA-DR Originating Goods Exempt: benefit, low. Goods of Nicaragua that are originating under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) are not subject to the additional duties imposed by new heading 9903.89.01.
- Existing AD/CV Duties Still Apply: cost, medium. Products of Nicaragua covered by the new HTSUS heading 9903.89.01 will continue to be subject to antidumping, countervailing, or other duties, fees, exactions, and charges that already apply to those products.
- Chapter 98 Entry Exceptions and Duty Rules: cost, low. The additional duties do not apply to goods properly claimed under most provisions of chapter 98 of the HTSUS, except for entries under subheadings 9802.00.40, 9802.00.50, 9802.00.60, and heading 9802.00.80; for those subheadings the additional duties apply to the value of repairs, alterations, or…
- Foreign-Trade Zone Admission Restriction: cost, low. Any product covered by the Annex that is subject to the additional duty and admitted into a U.S. foreign-trade zone on or after January 1, 2026, may only be admitted as 'privileged foreign status' and will be subject upon entry for consumption to applicable ad valorem rates of duty or quantitative…

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## Sources
- [2025-23892 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23892/notice-of-implementation-of-action-nicaraguas-acts-policies-and-practices-related-to-labor-rights)
- [2025-23892 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-29/pdf/2025-23892.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2025-23891, Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23891)
- [Next: 2025-23893, Procurement List; Proposed Additions](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23893)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23892 (as of 2026-06-08).