China Tariffs 2026: Complete Guide to US Import Duties
China accounts for over 20% of US imports, making Chinese tariffs critical for nearly all importers. The 2026 tariff landscape is dominated by Section 301 duties, which have escalated significantly over the past 18 months.
This guide covers current Section 301 rates, affected product categories, how to look up specific HTS codes, and recent policy changes.
Section 301 Tariff Rates by Category (2026)
Section 301 duties were imposed on four separate lists of Chinese products, with different rates and timelines:
| Product Category | Base Section 301 Rate | Effective Date | HTS Chapters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Vehicles & Battery Components | 100% | October 2024 (modified Jan 2026) | 87, 85 |
| Semiconductors & Chip Equipment | 50% | January 2026 | 84-85 |
| Steel & Aluminum Products | 25% | September 2024 | 72-83 |
| List 4A (Industrial Products) | 25% | September 2018 (modified 2019-2024) | Multiple |
| List 4B (Consumer Products) | 15% | January 15, 2026 | 50-67, 84-85, 94-96 |
Key Product Categories Affected
Electric Vehicles & Batteries (100% Tariff)
Chinese EVs and battery components face the highest Section 301 rate. This includes:
- Finished electric vehicles and hybrids
- Battery packs and battery management systems
- EV charging equipment and connectors
- Rare earth elements used in EV motors
- Lithium and cobalt processing materials
Example: A Chinese EV worth $30,000 faces a $30,000 Section 301 duty plus base tariff (typically 2.5%) plus surcharge.
Semiconductors (50% Tariff)
Chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment from China carry 50% Section 301 duty:
- Microprocessors and integrated circuits (HTS 8542)
- Memory chips (DRAM, NAND flash)
- Semiconductor manufacturing equipment (HTS 8486)
- Wafers and substrate materials
- Circuit board assembly equipment
Impact: Makes Chinese semiconductor sourcing significantly more expensive than non-Section 301 countries.
Steel & Aluminum (25% Tariff)
Section 301 adds to existing Section 232 steel/aluminum duties:
- Flat-rolled steel products
- Aluminum extrusions and forgings
- Stainless steel tubes
- Aluminum foil and sheet
Combined duty example: Chinese steel may face 25% Section 301 + 25% Section 232 = 50%+ effective duty.
Consumer Products (15% Tariff)
List 4B goods (increased from 7.5% January 15, 2026) include:
- Clothing & textiles (except some apparel)
- Footwear and shoe accessories
- Consumer electronics & accessories
- Furniture and home goods
- Toys and sporting goods
- Luggage and travel goods
How to Look Up Your HTS Code & Specific Duty Rate
Section 301 rates don't appear directly in the standard HTS — they layer on top. To find your exact duty:
- Identify your product's HTS code. Search by product name on Tariff Check's main search page — try "coffee," "semiconductors," "batteries," etc.
- Note the General duty rate. This is the base MFN rate (Column 1) for most countries.
- Add Section 301 if applicable. Check if your product's HTS chapter or specific code is on one of the four Section 301 lists. The rate stacks: General Rate + Section 301 + Surcharge.
- Check for other overlays. Section 232 (steel/aluminum), Section 201 (safeguards), or trade agreement rates may apply.
- Verify with a customs broker. Complex products may have mixed duties or specific rules of origin.
Look Up Your Tariff Rate
Search our database of 28,000+ HTS codes to see exact duty rates for products from China.
Search HTS Codes NowRecent Changes & 2026 Escalations
January 15, 2026 — List 4B Rate Increase
Tariff rates on List 4B (consumer products from China) increased from 7.5% to 15% Section 301. This affected:
- Clothing & accessories: +7.5 percentage points
- Consumer electronics: +7.5 percentage points
- Home goods & furniture: +7.5 percentage points
This change applies to products already subject to Section 301 — importers did not gain a warning period.
January 20, 2026 — Semiconductor Tariff Adjustments
New targeting of semiconductor imports and manufacturing equipment:
- HTS 8542 (Integrated circuits): raised to 50% Section 301
- HTS 8486 (Semiconductor equipment): raised to 50%
- HTS 8541 (Diodes, transistors): placed under Section 301 review
February 25, 2026 — Import Surcharge
A new across-the-board import surcharge was implemented, adding to all tariffs including Section 301 rates. This means:
- Chinese goods now face: General rate + Section 301 + Surcharge
- Example: A textile product might be 12% base + 15% Section 301 + ~2-4% surcharge = 29-31% total
FAQ: China Tariffs 2026
No. Only products on the four Section 301 lists face these duties. However, most manufactured goods have some exposure. Use Tariff Check to verify your specific HTS code.
Possibly. If the product is made in Vietnam (and meets rules of origin), you'd avoid Section 301. However, many countries now face tariffs under other programs (Section 301 on Vietnam, safeguards, etc.). A customs broker can advise on the best sourcing strategy.
No. Section 301 applies regardless of trade agreements. USMCA covers Mexico and Canada only. No major trade agreement with China is currently in effect.
The US government no longer accepts new Section 301 waiver applications (as of 2022). Historical waivers issued before 2022 remain in place for those products. Check with the USTR or a customs attorney if you have a historical waiver.
Section 301 targets specific countries (China, others) on specific products. Section 232 targets a specific material category (steel, aluminum) regardless of origin. Surcharge is a recent broad policy affecting most imports. They stack together on final duty.
Possibly. Policy can change rapidly. Follow Tariff Check's Trade Updates for real-time notifications of rate changes.
Add: (Product Price × General Duty %) + (Product Price × Section 301 %) + (Product Price × Surcharge %) + Insurance + Shipping + Brokerage. Example: $10,000 product with 12% base + 25% Section 301 + 2.5% surcharge = $10,000 × 1.395 = $13,950 landed cost.