What is the Section 232 tariff on aluminum in 2026?

Since April 6, 2026, aluminum articles such as sheet, coil, plate and foil pay an additional 50% on their full customs value. Derivatives pay 50% or 25% depending on their annex, some machinery pays a rate that brings the total to 15%, and aluminum with Russian smelt or cast pays 200% (Proclamation 11021, April 2, 2026).

Does USMCA exempt aluminum from Section 232?

Not for aluminum articles such as sheet and coil: they pay 50% even when they qualify under USMCA. Only USMCA goods listed in Annex I-C of Proclamation 11032, which is mobile industrial equipment, pay 25% on their non-US content, with a 15% floor, until December 31, 2027.

What happens if the country of smelt or cast is unknown?

For derivatives, CBP charges the 200% rate that applies to Russian aluminum when the importer reports the country of smelt or cast as unknown (CSMS 65340246, in effect since June 28, 2025). The Commerce aluminum import license does not accept unknown at all (19 CFR 361.103).

Is there a lower Section 232 rate for aluminum from Mexico?

Not for aluminum articles as of October 22, 2026: Mexico pays the general 50%. Lower rates exist only for USMCA goods in Annex I-C and for companies approved under programs tied to new US primary aluminum capacity (Proclamations 10984 and 11045).

When did Section 232 start applying to the full customs value?

On April 6, 2026, under Proclamation 11021 of April 2, 2026. Before that date, derivatives generally paid on the value of their aluminum content.

Section 232 Aluminum Tariffs: October 2026 Update

In October 2026, Section 232 charges aluminum articles (unwrought aluminum, bars, wire, plate, sheet, strip, foil, tubes, castings and forgings) an additional 50% on their full customs value, from Mexico and Canada as from most countries (Proclamation 11021 of April 2, 2026, in effect since April 6, 2026). Derivatives pay 50%, 25% or a rate that brings the total to 15%, depending on their annex, and aluminum with any Russian smelt or cast pays 200%.

What is the Section 232 tariff on aluminum in October 2026?

Goods	Additional duty	Official basis
Aluminum articles (sheet, coil, plate, foil, bars, wire, tubes, castings and forgings) and the derivatives in Annex I-A	50% of full customs value	Proclamation 11021, clause 2, since April 6, 2026; articles as defined in Proclamation 9704
Derivatives in Annex I-B	25%	Proclamation 11021, clause 3
Annex III: fixed industrial machinery and power equipment, plus agricultural equipment and some residential HVAC since June 8, 2026	The rate that brings regular duty plus Section 232 to 15%, or none if the regular duty is 15% or more, until December 31, 2027	Proclamation 11021, clause 5; Proclamation 11032
Annex I-C: mobile industrial equipment and machinery	25% for most countries; USMCA goods pay 25% on non-US content only, with a 15% floor; until December 31, 2027	Proclamation 11032, clause 2
Derivatives whose aluminum was smelted and cast in the United States (at least 85% by weight since June 8, 2026)	10%	Proclamation 11021; Proclamation 11032, clause 4
Products of the United Kingdom whose aluminum was smelted or last cast there	25% for articles, 15% for Annex I-B derivatives	Proclamation 11021, clauses 2 and 3
Products of Russia, or with any primary aluminum smelted in Russia or cast in Russia	200%	Proclamation 10522 of February 24, 2023; Proclamation 11021, clause 8

Since April 6, 2026, these rates apply to the full customs value of the product, regardless of its metal content (Proclamation 11021, clause 1); until then, derivatives generally paid on the value of their aluminum content (Proclamation 10947 of June 3, 2025). Goods in the annexes outside chapters 72, 73, 74 and 76 whose covered metal is under 15% of their weight are not charged (CBP, CSMS 68253075, April 3, 2026).

How derivative products are added

A derivative is a downstream product made mostly of aluminum, such as stranded wire, cables or vehicle body stampings (CBP, CSMS 55424218). The list changes by notice in the Federal Register:

August 18, 2025: the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) added 407 tariff codes as steel or aluminum derivatives after its first inclusion window (90 FR 40326, August 19, 2025).
April 6, 2026: Proclamation 11021 ended the inclusion windows. The Secretary of Commerce and the US Trade Representative can now add derivatives at any time by Federal Register notice; a new derivative pays 25%, or 50% if it is identical or comparable to a product in Annex I-A (clause 11).
June 8, 2026: Proclamation 11032 added aluminum lithographic plates to the derivatives.
August 6, 2026: BIS proposed 14 more derivative articles, among them aluminum powder and several kinds of trailers, with comments due August 27, 2026 (91 FR 50756). Ask your broker whether a final notice has been published.

Reporting the country of smelt and the country of cast

Since 2023, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires importers of aluminum articles and derivatives to report three countries on each entry line (CSMS 55424218, March 9, 2023), and it kept the requirement for the April 2026 rates (CSMS 68253075, April 3, 2026):

Primary country of smelt: where the largest volume of new aluminum in the product was produced from alumina by electrolysis, the Hall-Héroult process.
Secondary country of smelt: where the second largest volume was produced, if any.
Country of cast: where the aluminum was last melted and cast into a solid form, such as slab, billet or ingot.

Aluminum entries also need an automatic import license from the Department of Commerce that asks for the same three countries. It accepts "not applicable" for smelt only when the product contains just recycled (secondary) aluminum, and it has not accepted "unknown" since June 29, 2022 (19 CFR 361.101 and 361.103). If an importer reports the country of smelt or cast of a derivative as unknown, CBP charges the 200% rate that applies to Russian aluminum (CSMS 65340246, in effect since June 28, 2025).

Mexico keeps its own record: since May 25, 2026, imports of aluminum into Mexico under 42 tariff lines of headings 76.01, 76.04 to 76.09 and 76.16 must declare the number of an Automatic Aluminum Import Notice (AAA) on the customs entry, and the notice asks for the countries of smelt and cast (Mexico's Ministry of Economy, Diario Oficial de la Federación of April 2, 2026, rule 2.2.26 BIS; VUCEM information sheet 02, May 18, 2026).

Rates by country of smelt or cast

Russia: 200% on aluminum articles and derivatives that are products of Russia, that contain any primary aluminum smelted in Russia or that were cast in Russia (Proclamation 10522, in effect since March 10 and April 10, 2023; kept by Proclamation 11021, clause 8).
United States: 10% for derivatives whose aluminum was smelted and cast in the United States; since June 8, 2026, at least 85% of the aluminum by weight must meet that test (Proclamation 11032, clause 4).
United Kingdom: 25% for aluminum articles and 15% for Annex I-B derivatives when the aluminum was smelted or most recently cast in the United Kingdom (Proclamation 11021).
Unknown: charged at the Russian rate of 200% for derivatives (CSMS 65340246).

Proclamation 11021 sets no other rate by country of smelt. The 2024 rule that taxed Mexican aluminum smelted or cast in China, Russia, Belarus or Iran (Proclamation 10782 of July 10, 2024) stopped applying on March 12, 2025, when all Mexican aluminum moved to the general rate (Proclamation 10895).

Mexico and USMCA

March 12, 2025: Mexico's exemption, in place since 2019, ended and Mexican aluminum began paying 25% (Proclamation 10895 of February 10, 2025).
June 4, 2025: the rate rose to 50% (Proclamation 10947 of June 3, 2025).
April 6, 2026: the 50% rate applies to the full customs value, and aluminum articles keep it even when they qualify under USMCA (Proclamation 11021).
June 8, 2026: USMCA goods in Annex I-C, mobile industrial equipment, pay 25% only on their non-US content, with a 15% floor, until December 31, 2027 (Proclamation 11032).
July 1, 2026: at the first USMCA joint review, the United States did not agree to extend the agreement. It remains in force, is reviewed every year and ends on July 1, 2036 unless the three countries extend it (USTR statement of July 1, 2026; 91 FR 63379, October 5, 2026).
October 14, 2026: Commerce defined the US content that USMCA goods in Annex I-C can subtract (91 FR 65162).

Two programs lower the rate only for companies that invest in US primary aluminum. Producers in Canada or Mexico that supply US vehicle makers and commit to new US primary capacity can have the rate on their USMCA aluminum smelted and cast in Canada or Mexico cut by up to half, to no less than 25% (Proclamation 10984 of October 17, 2025; procedures in 91 FR 21790, April 23, 2026). Companies that build or expand smelters in the United States can import primary aluminum at half the rate (Proclamation 11045 of July 20, 2026).

Steel, aluminum and derivative products were among the issues discussed in the third US and Mexico negotiating round of the joint review (joint statement of USTR and Mexico's Secretary of Economy, July 23, 2026). As of October 22, 2026, no proclamation has changed the 50% rate for aluminum articles from Mexico.

Key dates in 2025 and 2026

Date	What changed	Document
Mar 12, 2025	Rate of 25% for all countries; the exemptions of Mexico and Canada end	Proclamation 10895, 90 FR 9807
Jun 4, 2025	Rate rises to 50%; the United Kingdom stays at 25%	Proclamation 10947, 90 FR 24199
Jun 28, 2025	Unknown smelt or cast on derivatives charged at 200%	CBP, CSMS 65340246
Aug 18, 2025	407 tariff codes added as steel or aluminum derivatives	BIS, 90 FR 40326
Oct 17, 2025	Program to lower the rate for producers in Canada and Mexico that invest in US primary capacity	Proclamation 10984, 90 FR 48451
Apr 6, 2026	Full customs value; annexes at 50%, 25% and 15%; derivatives added at any time	Proclamation 11021, 91 FR 18201
Apr 23, 2026	Commerce opens applications for the Proclamation 10984 program	ITA, 91 FR 21790
May 25, 2026	Mexico requires the Automatic Aluminum Import Notice on aluminum import entries	DOF, April 2, 2026; VUCEM sheet 02
Jun 8, 2026	Annex I-C with the USMCA content rule; 85% threshold for US metal; lithographic plates added	Proclamation 11032, 91 FR 34085
Jul 1, 2026	First USMCA joint review: no extension; a review every year	USTR, July 1, 2026
Jul 20, 2026	Half rate on primary aluminum for companies that build or expand US smelters	Proclamation 11045, 91 FR 46635
Aug 6, 2026	BIS proposes 14 more derivative articles	BIS, 91 FR 50756
Oct 5, 2026	USTR opens comments for the 2027 USMCA joint review, due January 12, 2027	USTR, 91 FR 63379
Oct 14, 2026	Commerce defines US content for USMCA goods in Annex I-C	BIS, 91 FR 65162

What changed in October 2026

October 14, 2026: BIS defined "U.S. content" for USMCA goods in Annex I-C as the value of parts wholly obtained, entirely produced or substantially transformed in the United States, plus the value of aluminum smelted and cast, steel melted and poured or copper smelted and cast there, for entries from that date (91 FR 65162). It does not change the rate for aluminum sheet and coil.
October 5, 2026: USTR opened public comments ahead of the 2027 USMCA joint review, due January 12, 2027 (91 FR 63379).
As of October 22, 2026, no new proclamation on aluminum had been published in October; for aluminum articles such as sheet and coil, the last change was the full-value rule of April 6, 2026.

What to review with your customs broker

The 10-digit HTSUS line of each product and its annex: I-A, I-B, I-C, III or none.
The Chapter 99 heading that goes with it and its rate; CBP lists them in CSMS 68253075 and 68855869.
The primary and secondary country of smelt and the country of cast, with the supplier documents that back them, so that nothing is reported as unknown.
The Commerce aluminum import license, obtained before the entry summary.
For USMCA goods in Annex I-C, how the US content is valued and reported on its own line.
Any input that could carry Russian metal, which triggers the 200% rate.
Parts you make from aluminum sheet: they may fall under a derivative annex or under another Section 232 action, such as the one on automobile parts (Proclamation 10908 of March 26, 2025).
Whether manufacturing drawback applies: Proclamation 11021 allows it for some derivatives from trade agreement partners, Mexico and Canada included (clause 13).
A file per shipment with the mill's documents, because customs can ask for it years later.

USMCA aluminum coil and sheet from Mexico what Almexa ships to US buyers and the origin rule for heading 7606
How to document the country of smelt and cast the documents behind each declaration
Import aluminum from Asia or buy from Mexico the full cost behind an FOB price

Official sources

Proclamation 9704 of March 8, 2018, 83 FR 11619 definition of aluminum articles, including plate, sheet, strip and foil.
Proclamation 10522 of February 24, 2023, 88 FR 13267 200% on aluminum of Russia or with Russian smelt or cast.
Proclamation 10782 of July 10, 2024, 89 FR 57339 Mexican aluminum smelted or cast in China, Russia, Belarus or Iran.
Proclamation 10895 of February 10, 2025, 90 FR 9807 25% and end of the Mexico and Canada exemptions on March 12, 2025.
Proclamation 10908 of March 26, 2025, 90 FR 14705 Section 232 on automobiles and automobile parts.
Proclamation 10947 of June 3, 2025, 90 FR 24199 50% from June 4, 2025.
Bureau of Industry and Security, Section 232 inclusions, 90 FR 40326, August 19, 2025 407 tariff codes added as derivatives from August 18, 2025.
Proclamation 10984 of October 17, 2025, 90 FR 48451 program for producers in Canada and Mexico, clause 13.
Proclamation 11021 of April 2, 2026, 91 FR 18201 full customs value and annexes, from April 6, 2026.
International Trade Administration, procedures under Proclamation 10984, 91 FR 21790, April 23, 2026 eligibility and documents for the tariff adjustment.
Proclamation 11032 of June 1, 2026, 91 FR 34085 Annex I-C, USMCA non-US content and the 85% threshold, from June 8, 2026.
Proclamation 11045 of July 20, 2026, 91 FR 46635 half rate on primary aluminum for new US smelter capacity.
Bureau of Industry and Security, proposed derivative articles, 91 FR 50756, August 6, 2026 14 articles proposed; comments closed August 27, 2026.
USTR, statement on the USMCA joint review, July 1, 2026 the United States did not agree to renew USMCA in its current form; the agreement remains in force.
USTR and Mexico's Secretary of Economy, joint statement, July 23, 2026 steel, aluminum and derivative products among the issues of the third negotiating round.
USTR, request for comments on the operation of USMCA, 91 FR 63379, October 5, 2026 annual joint reviews; term to July 1, 2036; comments due January 12, 2027.
Bureau of Industry and Security, guidance on "U.S. content", 91 FR 65162, October 14, 2026 USMCA goods in Annex I-C, from October 14, 2026.
CBP, CSMS 55424218, March 9, 2023 definitions of country of smelt and country of cast.
CBP, CSMS 65340246, June 13, 2025 unknown smelt or cast on derivatives charged at 200%, from June 28, 2025.
CBP, CSMS 68253075, April 3, 2026 filing guidance for Proclamation 11021; smelt and cast reporting continues.
CBP, CSMS 68855869, June 5, 2026 filing guidance for Proclamation 11032, including the USMCA two-line entry.
19 CFR part 361, Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis System (eCFR) aluminum import license; consulted October 22, 2026.
Mexico's Ministry of Economy, Diario Oficial de la Federación, April 2, 2026 (Spanish) rule 2.2.26 BIS, Automatic Aluminum Import Notice.
VUCEM, information sheet 02, May 18, 2026 (Spanish) notice number required on import entries from May 25, 2026.

Section 232 aluminum tariffs: where they stand in October 2026