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New Section 232 Tariffs on Semiconductor Articles
On January 14, 2026, President Trump signed a proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, establishing new tariffs on imported Semiconductor Articles.
Beginning January 15, 2026 imports of certain items containing semiconductors will be subject to a 25%. The White House framed the action as vital to national security, citing that the United States has become too reliant on foreign countries to produce essential semiconductor technology and puts the United States at risk.
Scope and Intent
The White House will be implementing a two-phase plan of action to ensure that semiconductor imports will not threaten national security.
- Phase-one – Impose 25% tariff of a narrow category of semiconductors and simultaneously strengthen the United State’s semiconductor industry by continuing trade negations with foreign jurisdictions.
- Phase-two: After negotiations have concluded, expand the tariffs on broader semiconductor products at a “significant rate”.
Effective January 15, semiconductor articles refer to products classifiable in the HTSUS in the following subdivisions.
- 8471.50
- 8471.80
- 8473.30
Additionally, the imported products must be a logic integrated circuit or a product that contains a logic integrated circuit that meets certain processing requirements.
Impact on Importers
While the expansion of 232 has only started on a handful of HTS codes, phase-two will be wide sweeping on various semiconductor devices and manufacturing products used to create semiconductors and devises. Companies navigating this new landscape must prepare for enhanced documentation requirements, potential retroactive audits of content declarations, and the interplay of multiple tariff layers.
Contributor: Kyle James
At Allyn International, we are committed to supporting the global trade community with strategic, forward-thinking solutions to help navigate today’s complex tariff landscape. Whether you have questions about tariffs or would like to explore strategies to reduce their impact on your business operations, our team is here to help. Contact us today for a consultation at sales@allynintl.com.