Strengthening Actions Taken To Adjust Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper Into the United States

A Section 232 measure is a U.S. trade action based on a finding that certain imports may affect national security. The title refers to actions concerning imports of aluminum, steel, and copper, including covered products and, depending on the official measure, certain derivative or downstream goods. The exact scope must be confirmed in the applicable proclamation, annexes, and customs instructions.

These measures typically affect importers, manufacturers, distributors, and sellers bringing covered goods into the United States. They can apply based on the product’s HTSUS classification (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States), country of origin, and sometimes additional facts such as the product’s metal content, processing history, or eligibility for an exclusion or quota treatment. An importer should not rely on the product name alone: the customs entry data and official scope determine whether the measure applies and what additional entry requirements or duties may result.

What to check

• Confirm the product’s correct HTSUS classification with a customs specialist or broker; do not assume the commercial description determines coverage.
• Check the official Section 232 scope, annexes, and CBP instructions for the relevant metal, derivative products, origins, and entry requirements.
• Document the product’s country of origin and, where relevant, the source and processing history of its aluminum, steel, or copper content.
• Review whether an exclusion, quota, tariff-rate quota, or other authorized treatment is available, and verify its conditions before claiming it.
• Have your customs broker validate the entry filing, including any required Chapter 99 or other additional tariff provisions, before importation.