White House Tightens Screws on Steel, Aluminum, Copper Imports
Published Date: 4/9/2026
Presidential Document
Summary
The U.S. government is stepping up its game to protect national security by tightening rules on importing aluminum, steel, and copper. New tariffs and import checks will hit certain metal products starting soon, making sure these imports don’t harm U.S. industries or security. If you’re a business dealing with these metals, expect changes that could affect costs and timing.
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 7 costs, 1 mixed.
Tariffs Apply to Full Customs Value
Starting April 6, 2026, the new additional ad valorem duties on aluminum, steel, and copper articles and their derivatives apply to the product's full customs value regardless of metal content. This changes how the tariff base is calculated for covered imports.
50% Duty on Many Metal Imports
Effective April 6, 2026, many aluminum and steel articles, certain copper articles, and certain aluminum and steel derivative articles listed in Annex I-A face an additional ad valorem duty of 50 percent. Reduced rates (25 percent for qualifying United Kingdom products and 10 percent for derivative articles made entirely with U.S.-origin metals) are specified in the proclamation.
25% Duty for Other Listed Products
Effective April 6, 2026, the copper articles and the aluminum and steel derivative articles listed in Annex I-B are generally subject to an additional ad valorem duty of 25 percent. Qualified United Kingdom products get a 15 percent rate, and derivative articles made entirely with U.S.-origin metals get a 10 percent rate.
200% Duty Continues for Russian Metal
Effective April 6, 2026, imports of aluminum articles and specified aluminum derivative articles that are products of Russia, or that contain primary aluminum smelted or cast in Russia, continue to be subject to a 200 percent ad valorem duty established in Proclamation 10522 of February 24, 2023.
Temporary Minimum Duty Rules for Annex III
From April 6, 2026 until December 31, 2027, products in Annex III face an adjusted rate framework: the sum of a product's Column 1 HTSUS duty rate plus any section 232 ad valorem will be set to at least 15 percent if the Column 1 Duty Rate is less than 15 percent; if Column 1 is 15 percent or higher, the additional section 232 rate will be zero percent. Certain U.S.-origin content and trading-partner rules also set 10 percent or 25 percent rates as described in the proclamation.
Annex II Products Removed From Duties
Effective April 6, 2026, products listed in Annex II to the proclamation are no longer subject to the additional ad valorem duties previously imposed under the aluminum and steel proclamations. Importers of Annex II items will not pay the extra section 232 duties on those listed products after that date.
Manufacturing Drawback Eligibility Rules
Manufacturing drawback claims under 19 U.S.C. 1313(a)-(b) are available for duties imposed by this proclamation only if the article is classifiable in Annex I-B or Annex III (or later included), is not subject to an antidumping or countervailing duty order, is a product of Trade Agreement Partners (United Kingdom, EU, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Canada, or a partner with a final reciprocal trade agreement), and the article's metal content was smelted and cast entirely in a Trade Agreement Partner country.
Foreign-Trade Zone Admission Requirement
Products subject to duties under the proclamation admitted into U.S. foreign-trade zones on or after April 6, 2026 may be admitted only under "privileged foreign status." Products admitted under privileged foreign status before that date will be subject to the applicable ad valorem rates when entered for consumption.
Inclusion Process Ends; Rolling Authority
The inclusion processes established in earlier proclamations are terminated, and the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative are authorized to jointly include additional derivative articles within the scope of the tariffs on a rolling basis when they find imports of those derivatives threaten national security objectives. Inclusions take effect on the date of the agencies' finding or the first practicable effective date.
CBP Smelt-and-Cast Information Requirement
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is authorized to require importers to provide information identifying the countries where copper used in covered copper articles was smelted and where such copper articles were cast. CBP will implement these smelt-and-cast information requirements "as soon as practicable."
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
2026-20855, Emergency Tax Relief on Diesel Fuel
Farmers, truckers, and workers hit by high diesel prices get a break! The government is pausing certain diesel fuel tax payments from October 5 to December 31, 2026, and waiving penalties to help ease the pinch. This quick action puts cash back in their pockets during tough times caused by limited diesel supply.
2026-20629, National Manufacturing Day, 2026
National Manufacturing Day 2026 celebrates the amazing comeback of American manufacturing and the hardworking people behind it. Thanks to new laws and smart policies, more factories are being built, good jobs are growing, and workers are earning more money. This day honors those who make America strong and highlights the exciting future of U.S. manufacturing.
2026-20319, Streamlining Access to Government Services Through America.gov
Starting soon, America.gov will be your one-stop, easy-to-use website for all federal government services. Instead of jumping between many agency sites, you’ll get fast, clear answers and can complete tasks in one place. This change helps every American save time and hassle, with no extra cost to users, making government services simpler and smarter by 2027.
2026-20320, Eliminating Disease-Carrying Pests and Restoring Enjoyment of the Great Outdoors
This new order helps Americans fight dangerous ticks and mosquitoes that spread diseases and ruin outdoor fun. It focuses on smart, safe ways to control these pests using technology and natural methods, especially in places like Washington, DC. Starting now, expect better pest control, health care improvements, and less reliance on harsh chemicals—all aiming to protect people, pets, and the environment without extra costs.
2026-19555, Enhancing Program Integrity and Interagency Coordination in the Administration of the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Program
This new order cracks down on companies misusing the H-1B visa program, which was meant to bring in highly skilled foreign workers but has been used to replace American workers with cheaper labor. It aims to protect U.S. workers’ jobs and wages by improving how agencies work together and enforce the rules. These changes will start soon and could affect many tech companies and others relying heavily on H-1B workers.
2026-19554, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers
The U.S. is extending rules that limit certain H-1B visa workers for another year, until September 21, 2027. This affects mostly IT staffing and outsourcing firms that have been using cheaper foreign workers to replace American employees. To enter, these workers now need a $100,000 fee with their visa petition, helping protect American jobs and wages.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-06956, Adjusting Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients Into the United States
The U.S. government found that importing too many medicines and their ingredients could hurt our national security and economy. To fix this, new rules will limit some pharmaceutical imports to protect access to important drugs, especially during global problems. These changes mainly affect drug makers and importers and will start soon, aiming to keep life-saving medicines available and support U.S. production.
Next: 2026-06961, Urgent National Action To Save College Sports
College sports, especially football and basketball, are in big trouble because of confusing rules and costly pay-for-play battles. This order steps in to create clear, fair rules to protect all athletes, keep schools financially healthy, and save women’s and Olympic sports. Changes start soon, aiming to stop the chaos and keep college sports alive and thriving for everyone.