Our experts continue to monitor the developing situation. Key updates will be published below:
Updates published on April 4, 2025
- Because nearly all imports into the United States are going to have a special classification code in Chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (which covers temporary legislation), and this Chapter reduces the threshold for formal entry from $2,500 to $250, valid Customs Powers of Attorney will be required for any shipment that cannot be cleared under de minimis procedures where the value exceeds $250.
- Remember – de minimis procedures can only be used before or at arrival.
- Annex II includes tariff headings exempt from these reciprocal tariffs, as mentioned below. While Annex II includes many articles in the pharmaceutical industry, it does not cover some commonly used by Biocair and the life science industry in general. As such, we will see additional duties of 10% on any goods NOT included in the Annex. Those duties will increase on April 9th to the elevated reciprocal rates. Some headings include:
- 0511 (human and animal tissues)
- 3822 (reagents, certified reference materials)
- 3504 (recombinant proteins)
- 3825 (human waste material)
- 3507 (enzymes)
Updates published on April 3, 2025 - Effective April 5, 2025, at 12:01 AM, a 10% additional tariff will apply to all imports from all countries into the U.S. This applies to all trading partners, not just Canada, China, and Mexico.
- Goods entered for consumption or loaded on a vessel/flight before April 5, 2025, at 12:01 AM are exempt from the new tariffs.
- On April 9, 2025, at 12:01 AM, duty rates will increase further for specific countries listed in Annex I, including the 27-nation European Union.
- Chapter 98 exemptions (e.g., prototypes) appear to remain valid.
- De minimis entry (for goods valued under $800) is still allowed—except for Chinese-origin goods, which lose this benefit on May 2, 2025, at 12:01 AM. This option must be used before or upon goods arrival and requires a pre-alert.
- Certain pharmaceuticals and other goods listed in Annex II appear not to be affected for now.
- Prior tariffs from the last two months remain in place for goods from Canada, China, and Mexico.
- Goods from Canada and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Act (USMCA) continue to receive duty-free treatment.
The situation remains ongoing, and any information published above is subject to change.
With a dedicated in-house customs brokerage firm based in the US, Biocair Customs Brokerage LLC, we are ready to support you with the utmost care, knowledge and attention as we continue moving science forward together.
Please contact your local Biocair office for more information.
