BIS to Accept Requests to Expand Section 232 Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum

The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security is expected to soon accept new requests to expand the list of HTSUS numbers subject to the 50 percent Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum content in imported products.

BIS has said it plans to provide for three two-week request periods annually, opening at the beginning of each January, May, and September. After each period BIS will post non-confidential versions of all valid requests for a 14-day public comment period. BIS will subsequently approve or deny these requests, post a public notice of such action within 60 days of receiving the request, and issue a Federal Register notice extending the Section 232 tariffs to any approved products.

The upcoming request period will be the second this year. After the first one BIS added all HTSUS subheadings covered by inclusion requests that were not already subject to other existing Section 232 tariffs (e.g., on autos and auto parts). A similar pattern can be anticipated after the second request period.

Click here for more information about Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum products. If you have questions or would like to discuss this action further, please contact ST&R.