Section 232 metals tariffs: what is in force and what is still pending
As of September 11, 2026, Section 232 duties are in force on steel and aluminium articles, on semi-finished copper products and copper-intensive derivatives, and on drones and polysilicon derivatives — but no refined-copper tariff exists. The White House decision on refined copper is still pending, so nothing is collectible on cathode, anode or concentrate.
Section 232 status by metal, as of September 11, 2026
| Metal / product | Status | Rate | Key date | Covered on this site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel articles | ✅ IN EFFECT | +50% (HTS 9903.82.02, Proclamation 11021; USMCA does not reduce it) | effective April 6, 2026 | Canada & US tariff guides |
| Aluminium articles | ✅ IN EFFECT | 50% (pre-existing Section 232 regime — CBC-reported) | pre-existing | US–Canada tariffs 2026 |
| Copper — semi-finished products and copper-intensive derivatives | ✅ IN EFFECT | 50% | August 1, 2025 | Refined copper tariff status |
| Copper — derivative articles | ✅ IN EFFECT | 25% | April 2026 (Proclamation 11021 / June 4, 2026) | Refined copper tariff status |
| Copper — reduced tier: fixed industrial machinery, power equipment, agricultural equipment, some residential HVAC | ✅ IN EFFECT | 15% | April & June 2026 | Refined copper tariff status |
| Copper — refined (cathode, anode, concentrate) | 🔴 PENDING — no decision, no instrument | none | — | Refined copper tariff status |
| 14 further copper derivative articles proposed by BIS | 🟡 PROPOSED — comments closed | not set | comments closed August 27, 2026 | Refined copper tariff status |
Every rate above is stated on this site's own coverage; each linked page carries its full sourcing. This hub is a directory of those pages, not legal or customs advice.
The one open metals item: refined copper
Refined copper is the only open file in this table. Reuters reported on September 10, 2026 that the White House had not decided whether to impose a refined-copper duty, and since then no proclamation, Federal Register notice or Commerce determination has created one — so nothing is collectible on cathode, anode or concentrate.
The market moved on the expectation anyway. LME copper set an all-time high of $14,875/t during the September 10 session, then fell 3.1% to $14,312/t, and COMEX futures dropped more than 4% intraday. On 20 tonnes at $14,230/t the dutiable value is $284,600; at the recommended — not adopted — 15% rate, landed cost moves to $327,290, up $42,690 or 15.0%. At the $14,875/t peak the same 15% rate would have cost $44,625 instead of $42,690, with no change in the rate at all: the duty base moves with the market.
Full status, instrument history and the worked scenario: Refined copper tariffs: pending, priced in, and what happens next.
What the calculator models — and what it doesn't
- Modelled: the refined-copper pending-duty scenario. Set market (LME USD/tonne or COMEX USD/lb), price, tonnes, proposed rate (0–30%) and destination, and the scenario renders with a PENDING — NOT IN EFFECT flag. It will not report a collectible duty. Open the copper scenario →
- Not modelled: Section 232 steel and aluminium rates. The calculator's steel estimate uses average MFN rates and adds no Section 232 steel duty, so treat that number as a lower bound. Steel and aluminium context →
- Stated, not modelled: the in-force 50% / 25% / 15% tiers on copper semi-finished products and derivatives. Those rates are documented on the copper status page; the calculator does not apply them to a refined-cathode shipment.
- Separate authority: Canada's Section 338 duties and Canada's counter-tariffs are not Section 232 actions. Per the proclamations, Section 338 applies in addition to Section 232 where goods are covered — check both lists before you price a cross-border move. Canada Section 338 changes →
Other Section 232 actions covered on this site
- Polysilicon and its derivatives — 15% plus minimum import price floors ($21/kg polysilicon, $100/kg ingots and wafers, $0.22/W cells, $0.38/W modules), effective December 4, 2026, 12:01 a.m. ET. Polysilicon and solar advisory →
- Drones / UAS — 100% on UAS over 25 kg maximum take-off weight, thermal-imaging UAS, docking stations and certain components; 25% on most remaining UAS; in effect September 3, 2026. Drone / UAS Section 232 explainer →
Section 232 FAQ: the two questions importers ask
Is there a Section 232 duty on refined copper right now?
No. As of September 11, 2026 the White House has not decided and no Federal Register instrument imposes a refined-copper duty, so nothing is collectible on cathode, anode or concentrate. The in-force Section 232 copper regime covers semi-finished products and derivatives only.
Which Section 232 rates does the calculator actually apply?
The calculator applies the pending refined-copper scenario you set (0-30%) and the Section 232 categories it already models, such as drones/UAS and polysilicon. It does not add Section 232 steel or aluminium duties to a steel estimate, so that number is a lower bound.
Last verified: September 11, 2026 (ET). Status was re-checked against this site's own coverage on that date. This hub deliberately separates what is in force from what is only a scenario, and it is updated when a decision is published.
Section 232 coverage on this site: copper (this site) — refined duty PENDING · Refined copper tariff status · Polysilicon and solar — advisory · Drone / UAS — 100% and 25% IN EFFECT since Sept 3, 2026
Related on this site: Canada's September 8 counter-tariffs — the 629-item list · Canada Section 338: what changes Sept 15 and Sept 29 · US–Canada tariffs 2026 · Tariff exemption list 2026 · How import duties are calculated