US tariffs July 2026: what's actually in effect
Three different tariff regimes are active at once in 2026, and one of them was ruled unlawful in May but is still being collected. If you are confused about what you actually owe at the border right now, this page sorts it out.
At a glance (July 14, 2026)
| Authority | Status | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Section 122 | Ruled unlawful, still collected | 10% global |
| Section 232 | In effect, expanded | 25–50% |
| Section 301 (China) | In effect | 7.5–100% |
| Section 301 (forced labor) | Proposed, not final | 10% or 12.5% |
| AD/CVD orders | In effect (case-by-case) | 0–500%+ |
Section 122: ruled unlawful, still being collected
In late February 2026, the administration imposed a temporary 10% tariff on imports from nearly every country under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits balance-of-payments tariffs for up to 150 days. This replaced the earlier IEEPA-based reciprocal tariffs after the Supreme Court invalidated those.
On May 7, 2026, the Court of International Trade (CIT) ruled that the Section 122 tariffs exceed the statute's authority. But the court limited its relief to the three importer plaintiffs in the case. The government appealed, and on May 15, 2026 the Federal Circuit temporarily stayed the CIT ruling pending appeal. As of this update, CBP has not halted collection — importers are still paying the 10% at the border.
Two things will resolve this: the appeal outcome, and the 150-day clock, which ends the Section 122 action in late July 2026 regardless. Importers who paid Section 122 duties should not assume an automatic refund — see the FAQ below.
Section 232: expanded and in full effect
Section 232 (Trade Expansion Act of 1962) lets the president impose tariffs on imports that threaten national security. The program was significantly restructured in April and June 2026. Current rates:
- 50% on articles wholly of steel, aluminum, or copper.
- 25% on derivative products (steel/aluminum/copper articles that contain some other material).
- 25% on automobiles and certain automotive parts.
The duty applies to the full customs value, not just the steel/aluminum content. Several more sectors — semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, lumber, critical minerals, industrial machinery — remain under Section 232 investigation and may be added. The distinction between a "wholly of" article (50%) and a "derivative" (25%) hinges on HTS classification, so check your specific code.
Section 301: China tariffs live, forced-labor probe proposed
Section 301 (Trade Act of 1974) covers unfair foreign trade practices. Two tracks are running:
China tariffs (in effect): The long-running Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods — 7.5% to 100% depending on the HTS-code list — remain active and stack on top of Section 232 and normal duty for China-origin goods.
Forced-labor investigation (proposed): On June 2, 2026 USTR proposed additional duties of 10% or 12.5% on 60 economies that failed to enforce a forced-labor import ban (India, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and others at 12.5%). The comment period closed July 6 and a hearing was held July 7. This is not yet final — see our detailed Section 301 2026 page for the full country list and exceptions.
The catch: these stack
None of these regimes replaces the others. A China-origin steel product in July 2026 could carry: normal HTS duty + Section 301 China tariff + Section 232 (50%) + Section 122 (10%, while it lasts) + MPF/HMF. The only stated no-stacking rule so far is that the proposed Section 301 forced-labor tariff would exempt goods already under Section 232. Plan for every layer that applies to your HTS code and origin country.
Calculate your landed cost with current fees
CVDar's landed cost calculator uses FY2026 MPF rates ($33.58 min / $651.50 max) and stacks base duty, Section 301, and AD/CVD. Enter your HTS code and origin country to see the full picture.
Calculate landed cost →Common questions
Is the 10% Section 122 global tariff still being collected?
Yes, as of this page's last update. On May 7, 2026 the Court of International Trade ruled that the Section 122 tariffs exceed statutory authority, but the Federal Circuit temporarily stayed that ruling on May 15, 2026 while the government's appeal proceeds. CBP has not halted collection. Importers are still paying the 10% at the border. The 150-day statutory period for the Section 122 action ends in late July 2026 regardless of the appeal outcome.
Will I get a refund on Section 122 tariffs I already paid?
Not automatically. The CIT's May 7 ruling limited injunctive relief (and thus refund rights) to the three importer plaintiffs in that case. For everyone else, refunds depend on the appeal outcome and on filing a proper protest or participating in any broader remedy the courts or CBP establish. Liquidated entries may be harder to recover. Importers who paid Section 122 duties should track the Federal Circuit appeal and consult a customs broker or trade attorney about protest filing deadlines — generally 180 days from liquidation.
How is Section 232 different from Section 301 and Section 122?
Each legal authority targets a different problem. Section 232 (Trade Expansion Act of 1962) addresses imports that threaten national security — currently steel, aluminum, copper, automobiles, and more. Section 301 (Trade Act of 1974) responds to unfair foreign trade practices — the long-running China tariffs and the new forced-labor investigation. Section 122 (Trade Act of 1974) lets the president impose temporary tariffs to address balance-of-payments emergencies — the 10% global tariff now under legal challenge. They can stack on the same shipment.
What are the current Section 232 tariffs?
Following the April and June 2026 proclamations: 50% on articles wholly of steel, aluminum, or copper; 25% on derivative products; 25% on automobiles and certain auto parts. The duty is assessed on the full customs value. Semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, lumber, and other sectors remain under Section 232 investigation and may be added. Check your specific HTS code, because derivative-product classification determines whether you pay 25% or 50%.
How do all these tariffs stack on one shipment?
By default they add up. A China-origin steel product could carry: normal HTS duty + existing Section 301 China tariff + Section 232 (50%) + MPF/HMF. The one explicit exception in the Section 301 forced-labor proposal is that Section 232 goods are exempt from the new 10%/12.5%. Otherwise, absent contrary guidance, every layer stacks. Use a landed cost calculator that includes all applicable layers — missing one is how importers get surprise bills.
What changed with MPF and HMF fees in 2026?
The Merchandise Processing Fee ad valorem rate stayed at 0.3464%, but for FY2026 (effective October 1, 2025) the minimum rose to $33.58 and the maximum to $651.50, up from the FY2025 figures of $32.71 and $634.62. The Harbor Maintenance Fee remains 0.125% of the value of waterborne cargo with no cap. These are small per shipment but add up, and they apply on top of all duty layers.
Sources & further reading
- Skadden: US Trade Court Strikes Down Section 122 Tariffs (May 20, 2026)
- Gibson Dunn: Section 122 Global Tariffs Invalidated
- SW Law: More Tariff Refunds, Not So Fast? (June 28, 2026)
- GHY: US Adjusts Section 232 Tariffs on Aluminum, Steel, Copper
- CBP CSMS #65741993: Customs User Fee Changes (FY2026 MPF) (official)
- USTR: Section 301 Investigations (official status page)