Our experts continue to monitor the developing situation. Key updates will be published below:
Last updated April 23, 2025
- As a reminder, starting May 2 at 12:01 AM, the trade community will lose the ability to use the de minimis exemption to enter low-value goods that are the product of China or Hong Kong.
- Any shipment where the de minimis exemption cannot be applied, and where the value is over $250, will require a formal entry being made, which will require a valid Customs Power of Attorney.
Last updated April 12, 2025
- A new list of exclusions from the reciprocal tariffs only has been published on a commodity basis. Retroactively effective to April 5, 2025 at 12:01, goods the product of ANY COUNTRY appropriately classified in one of the subheadings below are exempt of reciprocal tariffs. When clearing them, Biocair Customs Brokerage will use the same classification that provides for goods exempted under Annex II to the Executive Order.
- The below subheadings are exempt of reciprocal tariffs:
- 8471
- 8473.30
- 8486
- 8517.13.00
- 8517.62.00
- 8523.51.00
- 8524
- 8528.52.00
- 8541.10.00
- 8541.21.00
- 8541.29.00
- 8541.30.00
- 8541.49.10
- 8541.49.70
- 8541.49.80
- 8541.49.95
- 8541.51.00
- 8541.59.00
- 8541.90.00
- 8542
Last updated April 9, 2025
- An announcement was made today, though no formal confirmation or announcement from Customs has been published to the trade just yet, that a 90-day “pause” on the reciprocal tariffs on all nations is to take place “immediately.” The announcement specified a 10% tariff “during this period,” implying that rates would revert back to those implemented at 12:01 AM on April 5. The elevated per-country rates appear to be paused, though there is currently no official confirmation from Customs and Border Protection.
- In addition, it was announced that the tariff on Chinese-made goods would be raised to 125%. If this is in addition to last month’s “IEEPA Fentanyl” tariff of 20%, that would bring the current rate to 145% on Chinese-made goods, not including standard ad valorem rates and Sec. 301 tariffs. More information and clarity will be provided as/when possible.
Last updated April 7, 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) remain valid and available for use.
- De minimis entry (for goods valued under $800) is still allowed. It is anticipated that Chinese-origin goods will lose this benefit on May 2, 2025, at 12:01 AM. De minimis entries must be filed before or upon goods arrival.
- Many pharmaceutical products and related goods are exempt of this latest round of tariffs. Goods under the headings listed in Annex II are exempt, though products the origin of Canada, China, and Mexico are still impacted by other recently-implemented tariffs (including Sec. 301).
- While Annex II includes many articles in the pharmaceutical industry, it does not include some that are commonly used in the life science industry. 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 rates. Some headings include:
- 0511
- 3822
- 3504
- 3825
- 3507
- Goods from Canada and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Act (USMCA) continue to receive duty-free treatment.
- Other exemptions from this action include:
- Goods of Canadian or Mexican origin.
- Donations to relieve human suffering.
- Informational materials, such as publications, films, posters, etc.
- Articles with components at least 20% of U.S. origin are exempted from duty on the value of the U.S. components.
- 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). This Chapter reduces the threshold for formal entry from $2,500 to $250, meaning a bond will be required.
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.
