Section 232 Copper Tariff: 50% on Copper and Copper Derivatives Explained

A 50% Section 232 tariff on copper and copper derivative products took effect August 1, 2025, applying to all countries. Like the steel and aluminum Section 232 tariffs, the duty applies only to the copper value in a product — non-copper components are excluded from the 50%.

Key takeaways

The 50% Section 232 copper tariff is effective August 1, 2025, across all trading partners.
The tariff applies only to the copper content value — non-copper portions of the same product are exempt from the 50%.
The UK may receive a reduced 25% rate under a negotiated arrangement, similar to its steel and aluminum deal.
Copper classified as auto parts is subject to the 25% auto parts tariff, not the 50% copper tariff.
The copper Section 232 stacks on top of the IEEPA fentanyl tariff but replaces (does not stack with) the reciprocal tariff.

What did the proclamation say?

On July 30, 2025, President Trump signed the final proclamation authorizing the 50% Section 232 tariff on copper and copper-derived products. Customs published final guidance the same week, and the tariff went live on August 1, 2025. The rate structure mirrors the existing steel and aluminum framework: the tariff is calculated on the copper content only, not the full entered value of an article that happens to contain copper.

Which HTS codes are covered?

The primary codes are 9903.78.01 and 9903.78.02, which cover imported semi-finished copper and intensive copper derivative products. Beyond those, a long list of 74xx-series HTS codes (copper articles) and certain 8544-series codes (insulated wire and cable) are also captured. Additional derivative HTS codes are expected to be added over the next 90 days as CBP refines the scope. Importantly, products classified under these codes that contain no copper are explicitly exempt.

For importers who also deal with steel and aluminum, the approach here is consistent with what we covered in our guide to the 407 new HTS codes added to Section 232 for steel and aluminum — the derivative content framework follows the same logic.

Will the UK get a lower rate?

The proclamation includes specific language stating that “the United States intends to coordinate with the United Kingdom to adopt a structured, negotiated approach to addressing the national security threat in the copper sector.” This suggests the UK may receive a 25% rate rather than 50%, consistent with the carve-out the UK already has for steel and aluminum. As of publication, the 50% rate applies to UK copper until any such agreement is finalized.

What about copper in auto parts?

If copper-containing goods are classified as auto parts, they fall under the 25% Section 232 auto parts tariff — not the 50% copper tariff. Classification controls, so the HTS code your goods actually enter under determines which Section 232 rate applies.

How does the copper tariff stack with other tariffs?

This is a critical point. The copper Section 232 tariff stacks on top of the IEEPA fentanyl tariff but does not stack with the reciprocal tariff — when the copper Section 232 applies, the reciprocal tariff is excluded. This stacking behavior is identical to how steel and aluminum Section 232 interacts with other tariff layers, which we explain in detail in our post on how Section 232, IEEPA, and reciprocal tariffs stack.

For goods with mixed composition, the non-copper portion of the value is not subject to the 50% copper Section 232 — but it may be subject to the reciprocal or IEEPA tariff depending on the country of origin, in the same way the non-steel/aluminum content of derivative steel products is now treated under the updated steel and aluminum rules.

What recordkeeping does CBP require?

When you report derivative copper content to calculate the tariff on only the copper portion, CBP requires you to maintain:

Bill of materials — showing which components are copper and which are not
Invoices for materials used in production — to substantiate the copper content value
Accounting documentation — supporting the values you declared

These records need to be available for CBP review. Given the newness of this tariff and the likelihood of additional derivative codes being added, keeping clean documentation from the start will save significant headaches during any post-entry audit.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Section 232 copper tariff take effect?

August 1, 2025. The proclamation was signed July 30, 2025, and customs published final guidance the same week.

Does the 50% apply to the full value of my shipment?

No. The 50% applies only to the copper content value. Non-copper components within the same product are excluded from the Section 232 copper tariff. You must separate and declare the copper content value at entry.

Does the copper tariff apply to goods from Canada and Mexico?

Yes. The 50% rate applies across all countries. However, the stacking rules for Canada and Mexico differ from those for other countries — see our tariff stacking explainer for the full breakdown.

What if my copper product is also subject to Section 301 (China)?

Section 301 duties are HTS-specific and layer separately. The interaction of Section 232 copper with Section 301 and IEEPA on Chinese goods can create significant stacking — consult a licensed customs broker to calculate your full duty exposure before importing.

Are more HTS codes expected to be added?

Yes. CBP indicated that additional derivative HTS codes will likely be added within the 90 days following August 1, 2025. Importers of copper-containing products should monitor the Federal Register and CBP guidance closely during that window.