On July 30, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation that introduced a new copper import duty under Section 232 trade rules. This action imposes a 50% tariff on certain copper imports, effective August 1, 2025. As a result, importers and manufacturers now face major cost changes.
Section 232 News: What Products Are Affected?
The tariff covers:
- Semi-finished copper products such as pipes, wires, rods, sheets, and tubes.
- Copper derivative items including pipe fittings, cables, connectors, and electrical components.
However, raw copper (ores, concentrates, cathodes, anodes) and scrap copper remain exempt from this duty.
How the Copper Import Duty Works
The government applies the 50% duty only to the copper portion of a product, not its total cost. Therefore, importers must provide customs with a breakdown that separates the copper value from other materials. Otherwise, shipments may face delays or compliance issues.
Trump Tariff Exemptions and Next Steps
Some exemptions still apply. If a product already falls under auto-related Section 232 tariffs, the 25% auto tariff takes precedence instead of the new 50% rate.
In addition, no duty drawback will be available. This means importers cannot reclaim these paid tariffs later.
Looking ahead, the Commerce Department will create an “inclusions process” by October 28, 2025. This process may add more copper products to the tariff list. Furthermore, by June 30, 2026, Commerce will review U.S. copper capacity. Based on that review, tariffs on refined copper could begin at 15% in 2027 and rise to 30% in 2028.
Domestic Sales Requirements for U.S. Copper
The policy also pushes for stronger domestic sales. Beginning in 2027, U.S. producers must sell at least 25% of high-quality copper scrap domestically. This share may increase in later years.
Similarly, copper input materials such as ores, cathodes, and anodes must also meet minimum domestic sales requirements. The requirement starts at 25% in 2027 and grows to 40% by 2029. Consequently, U.S. refiners and manufacturers may gain a larger supply base inside the country.
Why This Section 232 Tariff Matters
This copper import duty Trump tariff Section 232 news has wide effects. Importers will likely face higher costs, while U.S. buyers may need to adjust sourcing strategies. Moreover, downstream industries such as construction and electronics could see higher input prices.
In the long run, the measure may encourage investment in U.S. refining and recycling capacity. However, businesses must stay alert for further updates, since more products could fall under this policy.
📖 For the official announcement, see the White House Fact Sheet on Copper Tariffs.
For more trade insights, visit our Tariff Updates page.
