U.S Metals: Can You Qualify for US 10% Tariffs?
- Annkaren Wambui
- Jun 3
- 7 min read
🔓 Discover if you can qualify for US 10% tariffs. Learn how the new 85% U.S. content rule may benefit manufacturers and importers. Can you qualify for the U.S. 10% tariffs?
Summary: The U.S. administration has introduced significant changes to Section 232 tariffs affecting certain steel, aluminum, and copper products. Effective from 8 June 2026, businesses that can demonstrate at least 85% U.S. metal content may qualify for a reduced tariff rate of 10%. The changes create both opportunities and risks, depending on how well companies understand their supply chains and document metal content. |
US 10% Tariffs: Can You Qualify?
As per "FURTHER ADJUSTING THE TARIFF REGIMES FOR IMPORTS OF ALUMINUM, STEEL, AND COPPER INTO THE UNITED STATES, " products containing at least 85% U.S.-melted and poured steel, or 85% U.S.-smelted and cast aluminum or copper, may qualify for a reduced tariff rate of 10%.
Previously, businesses needed to meet a 95% threshold. The reduction to 85% makes qualification significantly more achievable for many manufacturers.
For importers, this could translate into meaningful duty savings and increased supply chain flexibility.
Why Does the New 85% Rule Matter?
The biggest change is not necessarily the tariff rate itself.
It is the easier qualification threshold.
Under the previous rules, many businesses struggled to reach the 95% U.S. metal content requirement. The new 85% threshold may allow a wider range of products and supply chains to qualify for reduced tariff treatment.
For many companies, this creates a strategic question:
❓Can your suppliers prove where their steel, aluminum, or copper originates?
Businesses that can provide clear documentation may gain a significant competitive advantage over competitors with limited supply chain visibility.
Who Wins and Who Loses?
Presidential Proclamation FURTHER ADJUSTING THE TARIFF REGIMES FOR IMPORTS OF ALUMINUM, STEEL, AND COPPER INTO THE UNITED STATES is expected to create clear winners and losers.
Potential Winners
Manufacturers using predominantly U.S.-sourced metals
Businesses with strong supplier traceability systems
USMCA-focused supply chains
Importers are able to document U.S. content accurately
Companies importing qualifying industrial equipment benefit from reduced tariff treatment
Potential Challenges
Import-heavy sourcing models
Businesses relying on suppliers with weak documentation controls
Complex global supply chains with limited origin visibility
Companies unable to verify metal content percentages
For many organisations, success may depend less on sourcing and more on documentation.
What Businesses Should Check
Companies affected by Section 232 tariffs should review several important areas: ⬇️
Supplier Documentation
Businesses should verify whether suppliers can provide evidence supporting U.S. steel, aluminum, or copper content claims.
Metal Content Calculations
Companies should assess how metal content percentages are calculated and whether supporting records are available.
Customs Compliance Procedures
Importers should ensure customs declarations, supporting documentation, and internal controls remain accurate and consistent.
Supply Chain Visibility
Businesses may benefit from reviewing their sourcing strategies and identifying opportunities to increase the amount of qualifying U.S. content.
USMCA Opportunities
Importers operating through Canada and Mexico should evaluate whether existing supply chains could benefit from favourable treatment under the updated rules.
▶️US Tariffs: What Changed & What's Next?
The U.S. tariff landscape has undergone one of the most significant transformations in decades, reshaping global supply chains, sourcing strategies, and customs compliance requirements. In 2026, understanding how tariffs, trade policy, and customs enforcement evolve will be critical to managing costs and reducing risk.
🚨 Tariffs are no longer just a customs issue; they are becoming a boardroom issue.
In this video, we explore the major tariff developments that reshaped global trade during 2025 and what businesses should be preparing for next.
You'll learn:
➤ How U.S. tariffs changed in 2025
➤ The impact of tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper, and manufacturing
➤ Why supply chains are shifting across Mexico, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia
➤ How customs compliance has become a strategic business function
➤ The risks of tariff misclassification and origin errors
➤ Why documentation and supplier visibility matter more than ever
➤ What businesses should be doing now to prepare for 2026
➤ Practical strategies to reduce customs risk and improve supply chain resilience
Whether you work in customs compliance, international trade, procurement, logistics, manufacturing, finance, or supply chain management, understanding today's tariff environment is essential for protecting margins and maintaining competitiveness.
🌍 Want to stay ahead of tariff changes, customs developments, and global trade risks? Watch the full video below.
▶️US Tariffs: Survival Guide for Importers
The U.S. tariff landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with new duties, evolving trade policies, and heightened customs scrutiny creating significant challenges for businesses involved in international trade. For many importers and exporters, tariffs are no longer a temporary disruption; they are becoming a permanent business reality.
🚨 A single tariff mistake can significantly increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and expose businesses to costly compliance risks.
In this video, we explore how businesses can navigate the changing U.S. tariff environment and prepare for future trade policy developments.
You'll learn:
➤ How U.S. tariffs are evolving in 2025
➤ The impact of Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs
➤ Why customs compliance has become a strategic business function
➤ How tariff classification, valuation, and origin affect duty exposure
➤ Practical strategies for tariff engineering and supply chain planning
➤ The role of Foreign Trade Zones, bonded warehouses, and duty drawback
➤ Why businesses should review HTS classifications, contracts, and Incoterms
➤ How to prepare for future tariff changes and customs audits
Whether you work in customs compliance, procurement, logistics, manufacturing, finance, supply chain management, or international trade, understanding today's tariff environment is essential for protecting profitability and maintaining competitiveness.
🌍 Want to reduce tariff exposure, strengthen compliance, and prepare your business for future trade policy changes? Watch the full video below.
What This Means for Importers & Manufacturers
The updated rules reinforce an important message:
Trade compliance is increasingly becoming a strategic business function.
Companies with strong documentation, supplier transparency, and supply chain visibility may benefit from:
• Reduced tariff exposure
• Improved compliance confidence
• Greater sourcing flexibility
• Enhanced competitiveness
• Better preparedness for future trade policy changes
At the same time, businesses with poor supplier visibility or weak documentation processes may find it harder to access available tariff benefits.
Final Thoughts
The new 85% U.S. content threshold represents a significant shift in how businesses may qualify for reduced Section 232 tariffs.
While the lower threshold creates opportunities for many manufacturers and importers, qualification is not automatic.
Success will depend on a company's ability to understand supply chains, verify metal content, and maintain accurate supporting documentation.
The key takeaway?
Visibility matters.
Businesses that strengthen supplier engagement, improve documentation processes, and proactively assess sourcing strategies will be best positioned to benefit from the new rules while reducing customs and compliance risks.
Sources
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Related Topics
#USTariffs #Section232 #CustomsCompliance #TradeCompliance #GlobalTrade #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #ImportExport #USMCA #TradeIntelligence
Author:
Annkaren Wambui | Growth Partner at Customs Manager Ltd.
Updated: May 2026
Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please consult a customs specialist regarding your specific compliance obligations.
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