How much tax do Chinese exports to the U.S. actually have to pay right now?
20%? Or more?
Let's first look at what taxes apply to Chinese exports to the U.S.
① Normal Tariff: First, check your product's base rate
This is the most fundamental layer. The U.S. assigns different HTS codes to different products, and each product has its own base import tariff rate.
For example, if your product's base tariff rate is 5%, then:
$100,000 (goods value) × 5% = $5,000
This is just the first layer.
② Section 301: Additional tariffs on certain Chinese goods
This is a layer that exporters must pay special attention to. The U.S. continues to impose Section 301 tariffs on certain Chinese products, and the rates vary by product. Current typical rates include:
Note: These rates are based on U.S. Section 301 policy adjustments. The specific effective dates and applicable HTS codes vary by product and need to be verified individually.
For example: If your product has a base tariff of 5% + a Section 301 tariff of 25%, then just for these two items:
$100,000 × 5% + $100,000 × 25% = $30,000
That is a 30% tax burden.
③ Section 232: Special attention for steel, aluminum, copper, and related products
If your products involve steel, aluminum, or copper, you cannot just check Section 301.
Currently, the U.S. has raised Section 232 tariffs on certain steel, aluminum, and their derivative products to 50%; certain copper products and some derivatives are subject to 25%.
And there is a very important change now: For some metal products, the tariff is applied to the full customs value of the product, not just the value of the metal content.
So if you deal with: steel, aluminum, copper, as well as related hardware, machinery, or metal products, you must check this separately.
④ Some "high-tariff products" need separate consideration
In addition to the common situations above, the U.S. has imposed very high tariffs on certain strategic products. For example:
Chinese electric vehicles: Section 301 tariff 100%
Chinese semiconductors: 50%
Solar cells: 50%
Certain medical supplies: Can be subject to up to 50% or even higher special tariff rates.
Additionally, the U.S. just announced on August 6, 2026, new Section 232 measures on polysilicon and its derivatives, which will take effect on December 4.
So how do you actually calculate it? Just remember this logic:
Final Tariff = Base Tariff + Any Additional Tariffs Applicable to the Product
You can follow this sequence:
Step 1: Determine the U.S. HTS code for your product.
Step 2: Look up the base tariff rate (e.g., 5%).
Step 3: Check if a Section 301 tariff applies (e.g., 25%).
Step 4: Check if a Section 232 or other special tariff applies. If not,
5% + 25% = 30%. If other measures apply, continue calculating according to the corresponding rules.
Let's take a more concrete example:
Assume you export $100,000 worth of goods to the U.S., and the product has:
Base tariff: 5%
Section 301 tariff: 25%
Then:
Base tariff: $100,000 × 5% = $5,000
Section 301: $100,000 × 25% = $25,000
Total: $30,000, which means these two items combined are 30%.
But if this product also involves other special measures, you cannot simply take 30% as the final rate.
So the real calculation logic is NOT:
Chinese goods = 20%
BUT RATHER:
Your Product → HTS Code → Base Tariff → Section 301 → Section 232/Other Special Measures → Final Tariff Rate
This is also where many exporters get confused recently. 20% is not the final tariff for all Chinese goods.
The current U.S. tariff policy applies rates based on the specific product, its HTS code, and the applicable trade measures.
Some ordinary products may mainly be subject to the base tariff and Section 301; some steel and aluminum products may also be subject to Section 232; and key products like EVs, semiconductors, and solar cells face significantly higher rates.