Section 232 Tariffs Hit Metal Packaging: What Buyers Need to Know
The U.S. government has expanded Section 232 duties on aluminum, steel, and copper, significantly raising potential tariffs on metal‑based packaging and related components.
On April 2, 2026, President Trump issued the proclamation “Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper into the United States” under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
These new rules apply to goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from the warehouse on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on April 6, 2026, and affects a broad range of steel, aluminum, and copper articles and their derivatives from all countries.
A broader, higher‑cost duty regime
The proclamation imposes additional duties from 10% to 50% on the full customs value of certain aluminum, steel, and copper articles and their derivatives, rather than on just the metal content.
Because closures, cans, and metal components often fall into these categories, packaging importers can expect higher Section 232 duties on a wide range of metal‑based packaging inputs, including beverage and food‑grade metal containers.
One duty per product: no stacking
If a product is listed as an article or derivative of more than one metal (for example, aluminum and steel, or aluminum and copper), only one applicable Section 232 duty rate applies, even if it contains multiple metals.
This “no stacking” rule simplifies classification but does not lower exposure: the highest applicable Section 232 rate applies to the full entered value of the item.
Exemptions and the 15% weight‑test rule
Not all products are covered:
- No‑metal products.
Items listed in the annexes that do not contain aluminum, steel, or copper are not subject to the additional Section 232 duties. - The 15% weight threshold.
For goods specified in the annexes (excluding HTSUS Chapters 72, 73, 74, and 76), the additional duty is 0% if the aggregate weight of the applicable metal(s) is less than 15% of the imported article’s total weight.
The “applicable metals” are defined by HTSUS classification in Annex IV; only metals listed for that HTSUS line count toward the 15% test. For example, an article classified under HTSUS 8302.10.60 is treated as both an aluminum and steel derivative, so the combined weight of aluminum and steel (but not copper) is used in the 15% calculation.
Key Section 232 duty rates for packaging
Several rate bands are especially relevant for packaging buyers:
- 50% additional duty
Applies broadly to many aluminum, steel, and copper articles in Annex I‑A (e.g., most aluminum and steel articles, most copper articles, and certain derivative aluminum and steel articles), levied on the full customs value, regardless of metal content. - 25% additional duty
Applies to certain derivative aluminum and steel articles and to many Russian steel and copper articles and derivatives (e.g., under 9903.82.14–9903.82.17). - 15% additional duty
Applies to certain derivative aluminum and steel articles, particularly where the column 1 duty is below 15%; in these cases, the sum of the column 1 rate and the Section 232 rate equals 15%. - 10% additional duty
Applies in specific contexts, such as certain copper and derivative aluminum or steel articles where at least 95% of the aluminum, steel, or copper is smelted, cast, melted, or poured in the United States, subject to the underlying HTS provisions. - 0% additional duty
Applies to eligible low‑metal‑content goods (under the 15% threshold, 9903.82.03) and certain exemptions, such as qualifying motorcycle‑parts‑for‑manufacturing provisions.
Special country‑rate considerations
- United Kingdom
Products that are the product of the United Kingdom and meet strict origin rules may qualify for lower Section 232 rates.- Articles of aluminum or steel, or derivative aluminum or steel, where at least 95% of the aluminum was smelted or cast in the U.K., or 95% of the steel was melted and poured in the U.K., may be assessed at 25% (9903.82.04).
- For certain derivative aluminum or steel articles meeting the 95% U.K.‑origin requirement, the additional duty may be 15% (9903.82.05).
- Russian Federation
- Steel and copper articles and certain copper and derivative steel articles from Russia are generally subject to 50% additional duties (9903.82.14–9903.82.17).
- Aluminum articles and aluminum derivatives that are the product of Russia, or that use any primary aluminum smelted or cast in Russia, remain subject to 200% additional duties (9903.85.67 and 9903.85.68).
- These Russian‑aluminum products may not be reported under the 0%‑rate 9903.82.03 low‑metal‑content exemption.
Implementation timing and compliance for packaging importers
Additional Section 232 duties apply to goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from the warehouse on or after 12:01 a.m. ET, April 6, 2026.
Certain HTSUS headings (9903.82.07–9903.82.12) are effective through January 1, 2028; after that date, the same products will be subject to the duty rates in 9903.82.05, 9903.82.06, and 9903.82.09, with CBP guidance expected prior to 2028.
For products subject to these duties that enter U.S. Foreign Trade Zones on or after April 6, 2026, most must be admitted under “privileged foreign status” unless eligible for domestic status, with Section 232 duties assessed when the goods later enter for consumption.
Chapter 98 provisions (for example, re‑export or repair entries) remain available, but Section 232 duties are still assessed on the full customs value of the article, and no chapter 99 provision can be used to evade these higher tariffs.
What this means for metal packaging buyers and suppliers
For companies in the capsules, closures, and metal‑packaging space, this policy change means:
- Higher import costs for many aluminum and steel closures, cans, and components, especially where metal content exceeds the 15% threshold.
- Greater complexity in classification and compliance, including the need to track metal‑by‑weight and country‑of‑origin (melt/pour and smelt/cast) for steel, aluminum, and copper.
- More strategic sourcing decisions, including:
- Evaluating country‑of‑origin mix (U.K. vs. U.S. vs. non‑exempt countries).
- Managing metal composition and HTS‑specific 15%‑weight tests to minimize or qualify for lower‑tariff treatment.
Bottom line for your packaging supply chain
The April 2026 expansion of Section 232 duties represents a major shift in U.S. metals import policy, with tariffs reaching up to 50% on many aluminum, steel, and copper articles—and up to 200% on certain Russian‑origin aluminum products.
For packaging buyers and suppliers, understanding how Section 232 duties apply at the product level—including the one‑duty‑per‑product rule, the 15% weight‑test, and country‑of‑origin reporting—is essential to manage landed costs and maintain supply‑chain continuity in this evolving U.S. trade environment.
About Capsules and Closures
Capsules & Closures supports beverage and packaging supply chains with aluminum cans, can ends, caps, closures, and related components designed for reliability at scale. For questions on sourcing, pricing, or market conditions, contact Capsules & Closures directly.
