The US-based government agency, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), announced another bout of probability in expanding the derivative horizon of Section 232 tariffs. On September 17, 2025, the Federal Register notice confirmed that requests to add new derivative steel and aluminium products can be filed between September 15 and 29. Each request must include detailed tariff classification data.
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After the filing window, BIS will post petitions for a two-week public comment period. The International Trade Administration (ITA) will then conduct a sixty-day review. Approved inclusions will be announced in the Federal Register, with duties taking effect shortly thereafter. This is the second round of filings in 2025. The first round, finalised in August, led to hundreds of new inclusions.
August expansion: 428 HTSUS codes added
On August 15 2025, BIS confirmed the addition of 428 Harmonised Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) codes to the Section 232 list. This was an additional 21 derivatives as compared to the initially reported 407 items. The duties became effective on August 18, giving importers little time to adjust.
The new inclusions cover a broad range of derivative products, from fasteners to tubular assemblies. Interestingly, some items now have both aluminium and copper tariffs applied to them, such as electrical cables. This reflects a growing trend where Section 232 measures are being extended to downstream industries. Importers have raised concerns since Customs guidance provides no exemptions for in-transit shipments or duty drawback.
Industry backlash over 50 per cent aluminium tariffs
On 10 June 2025, the Trump administration raised aluminium tariffs under Section 232 from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. The decision sparked strong reactions from industry groups, with the Aluminium Association voicing particular concern. President & CEO Charles Johnson warned, “Re-establishing a more level playing field for domestic producers is critical, but a Section 232 tariff of 50 per cent threatens to undermine the very industry the administration aims to support.”
He added that aluminium and steel are fundamentally different metals and cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach.
Future filing windows are scheduled in January and May 2026. Industry participants should monitor BIS notices closely. The inclusion process for copper and potentially other critical sectors is expected to mirror the steel and aluminium framework.
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