US-China tariffs in 2026: what small importers need to know
Customs & rules · Updated
US tariffs on goods from China are the highest they have been in decades. On top of existing Section 301 duties, additional tariff rounds pushed effective rates on many product categories to 50% or above. Combined with the end of the de-minimis exemption, small importers are now dealing with a fundamentally different cost structure than they faced even a year ago.
Here is what the current tariff landscape looks like and what you can actually do about it.
How US-China tariffs stack
There is no single China tariff rate. The rate your goods face is a stack of three separate layers that all apply at once.
- MFN (Most Favored Nation) duty: the baseline rate set by your HS code, typically 0 to 25%.
- Section 301 tariffs: additional duties imposed since 2018, ranging from 7.5% to 25% depending on the product list your goods fall under.
- Executive-order tariffs: rounds added in 2025 and 2026 pushed effective rates on many categories to 50% or above.
These layers are additive. A product with a 5% MFN rate, a 25% Section 301 rate, and a 20% additional tariff faces an effective rate of 50%. The exact stack for your goods depends entirely on the HS code.
What is and is not covered
Not all goods from China carry the highest rates. Machinery, industrial inputs, and certain electronics were selectively excluded from some rounds. Medical supplies and pharmaceuticals received broad exclusions during and after the pandemic.
The operative question is always: what is the current effective rate for my specific HS code? Rates have changed multiple times and some exclusions expired. Checking the published rate tables rather than relying on memory or older quotes is essential.
Tariff engineering: is it worth it?
Some importers consider strategies like changing the country of origin (manufacturing in Vietnam, Mexico, or India instead of China) or using bonded warehouses and foreign trade zones to defer duty. These are legitimate approaches with real compliance requirements.
For small importers, the math often does not justify the complexity. Sourcing from a new country means new supplier relationships, new quality unknowns, and new freight patterns. Deferring duty in a bonded warehouse still means paying it eventually.
The simpler lever is usually accurate HS classification. Goods misclassified under a higher-rate code pay more duty than the rules require. A correct classification is not tariff avoidance, it is paying the right rate.
How to keep landed cost predictable
With tariff rates this high and this variable, the only way to protect your margin is to price landed cost in before you order, not after the goods arrive.
- Confirm the HS code for your product before placing an order. The code drives the duty rate.
- Look up the current effective rate for that HS code using the USITC tariff database.
- Get an all-in freight quote that bundles freight, customs, broker, and delivery, so the freight side has no surprises.
- Add the duty estimate to your cost model before you approve the order.
FAQ
How high are US tariffs on Chinese goods in 2026?
It depends on the product. Effective rates on many categories are 50% or above once MFN duty, Section 301 tariffs, and additional executive-order rounds are stacked. Some categories are lower; some exclusions exist. The only reliable answer is to look up the current rate for your specific HS code.
Are there any goods from China that are still duty-free?
Some goods remain at low or zero MFN rates, and some Section 301 exclusions are still active, but the landscape has changed significantly since 2018 and continues to shift. Check the current published rates for your HS code rather than assuming a prior rate still applies.
Should I switch my sourcing out of China to avoid tariffs?
It depends on your volume and margins. For small importers, the complexity and cost of switching suppliers often outweighs the tariff savings. The simpler starting point is confirming you have the right HS code (so you pay the correct rate, not a higher one) and pricing the tariff in before you order.
How do I find the current tariff rate for my product?
The US International Trade Commission (USITC) publishes the Harmonized Tariff Schedule with current rates. You need the full 10-digit HTS number for your product. The rate includes MFN duty plus any additional tariff columns that apply to imports from China.
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