As of April 10, 2025, significant changes to U.S. import tariffs have gone into effect under Executive Order 14257. If you’re moving goods into the U.S., these changes could impact your supply chain and cost structures over the next several months. Here’s a breakdown of what’s changed, what it means for your business, and how to stay compliant.

Universal 10% Duty Rate – Country-Specific Tariffs Suspended (Temporarily)

Effective April 10 through July 9, 2025, the U.S. is suspending country-specific ad valorem rates of duty for nations listed in Annex I of Executive Order 14257 (excluding China). During this period, goods from these countries will instead be subject to a flat 10% Universal Duty Rate, unless an exemption applies.

What This Means

If you’re importing from a country listed in Annex I (other than China), your shipments will not receive their usual country-specific tariff.

Instead, they will be hit with the 10% Universal Duty Rate, just like countries already under this tariff.

This applies to entries filed on or after April 10, 2025, regardless of export or shipping dates.

Exception: If your shipment was loaded on its final mode of transport to the U.S. before April 5, it may still be eligible for 0% under the Universal Tariff rules.

China Tariff Increase – 125% Reciprocal Tariff Now in Effect

Imports from China, Hong Kong, and Macau face a major change: starting April 10, 2025, goods from these regions are subject to a 125% ad valorem Reciprocal Tariff, on top of any existing duties.

Important Notes:

• The export date no longer matters—the entry filing date with U.S. Customs does.
• This 125% tariff is in addition to Section 301 tariffs from 2018. IEEPA tariffs (currently at 20%) were implemented in early 2025.
• Any entry processed on or after April 10 will automatically incur the full 125% Reciprocal Tariff, so importers need to act accordingly when pricing, sourcing, or routing shipments.

What’s Not Changing?

For imports from Canada and Mexico, the following remain in effect:

• The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) still applies.
• Duty-free treatment continues for compliant goods under USMCA.
• Non-compliant goods remain subject to a 25% tariff.

What’s Excluded from These New Tariffs?

The following remain exempt from the updated tariff structure:

Steel and aluminum are already covered under Section 232 tariffs.

Goods listed in Annex II of the executive order:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Semiconductors
• Copper, lumber, energy products
• Certain critical minerals

Imports from Belarus, Cuba, North Korea, and Russia—also known as Column Two countries—remain subject to their existing duty rates.

Any current or future Section 232 tariffs still take precedence and exclude those goods from these new tariffs.

This sweeping change in U.S. trade policy is part of a larger effort to adjust to international retaliatory tariffs and realign trade relationships. If your business relies on imported goods, now’s the time to review sourcing strategies, revisit landed cost models and consult your trade compliance team or customs broker.

Need help navigating these changes? We’re here to help interpret how these adjustments might affect your specific supply chain and help you stay compliant and cost-effective.