Department of Commerce Proposes Expanding Section 232 Metal Tariffs Scope

The United States Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has proposed expanding the list of products subject to Section 232 duties on steel, aluminum, and copper. BIS is accepting public comments for 21 days, through August 27, 2026, before its final determination.

The proposal follows a Presidential Proclamation issued on April 2, 2026, which modified Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper effective April 6, 2026. The proclamation was intended to apply tariffs based on the full value of imported steel, aluminum, and copper products, rather than only the metal content, and to simplify tariffs on derivative products by applying a flat tariff rate.

New Proposed Products Subject to Tariffs

50% Tariff (Applied only to the value of the metal container, unless a lower rate applies under Proclamation 11021):

• Filled steel containers containing:
• Propane
• Oxygen
• Propylene

25% Tariff (Applied to the full value of the product, unless a lower rate applies under Proclamation 11021):

• The proposal would add:
• Aluminum powder
• Brass wind musical instruments and related parts
• Welding machine parts
• Free-standing floor safes
• Electric conductor cables
• Fire extinguishers
• Heat exchanger parts
• Hydraulic power engine and motor parts
• Tank trailers and tank semi-trailers
• Other trailers and semi-trailers

25% Tariff (Applied to the full value of the product, unless a lower rate applies under Proclamation 11032):

• Mobile lifting frames on tires and straddle carriers
• Other self-propelled cranes and mobile lifting frames

15% Tariff (inclusive of MFN) (Applied to the full value of the product, unless another duty rate applies under Proclamation 11021):

• Self-loading and self-unloading agricultural trailers and semi-trailers. 

To read the pre-published Federal Register Notice, click here.

The RV Industry Association will continue to provide information as it becomes available. For a comprehensive overview of currently enacted tariffs, view the tariff tracker. 

For additional information, please contact Samantha Rocci, Director of Federal Affairs (srocci@rvia.org).