Update on New Tariffs by the Trump Administration Announced effective April 9,2025

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The day that the additional higher reciprocal tariffs are effective has arrived.   We had sent out the list of additional tariffs last week that would be effective April 9th at 12:01 AM.   The stunning news prior to the tariffs being effective was that President Trump was adding an additional 50% tariff from China due to their adding a 34% tariff on American goods imported into China.  In summary, goods being imported from China will have additional tariffs of 20% + 34% and 50% if the tariff number is not on the Annex II exception list.    We do feel for our toy importers and any other client importing from China.  .

Here below is what is fully in place right now.  

New Reciprocal Tariffs (full executive order can be found here)

  • 10% Baseline Tariff that applies to almost all imports to the U.S. with some exclusions. This went into effect April 5, 2025, at 12:01am ET.
  • Reciprocal Country-Specific Tariffs: Higher tariffs on imports from specific countries. These are listed on Annex 1. You can read the specific countries and rates here.

These went into effect April 9, 2025, at 12:01am ET.    Add the 50% additional tariff from China.

  • Exclusions from above tariffs include
  • Items already covered under Section 232: steel, aluminum, automobiles, and auto parts
  • Food, medicine, and humanitarian goods (per 50 USC 1702(b))
  • Copper, semiconductors, lumber
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Precious metals
  • Energy and critical minerals not available in the U.S.
  • Canada and Mexico remain unchanged
  • USMCA-compliant goods: 0% tariff
  • Non-USMCA goods: 25% tariff
  • Non-USMCA energy/potash: 10% tariff

See the list of tariff numbers on Annex II: Annex II

Again, the effective date of these tariffs is as follows:  Goods loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 5, 2025, and entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 5, 2025, shall not be subject to the additional 10%  duty. Goods must be loaded AND in transit to be relieved of the duties going into effect on April 5th and April 9th.  The shipment must be on a direct vessel sailing to the USA and arrive by May 27,2025 to utilize the exemption.

On April 9, the enhanced reciprocal tariff rates will used instead of the base line tariff of 10% for most countries.  See the list.

**Importers should take note that Annex II states that “the formal language in Annex III governs the tariff treatment of products covered by the action,” even though no Annex III is referenced in the Order.  Annex III has finally been published and summarizes the tariff implementation.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Annex-III.pdf

Due to the huge increase in duties from most of our major trading partners Thunderbolt Global Logistics will require that all customs duties over $15,000.00 will need to be paid 5 days prior to arrival for sea shipments.  Alternatively, importers can pay their duties direct to U.S. Customs. More on this new policy will be sent to our clients/agents on April 14th.

If you have any questions, please contact compliance@thunderboltglobal.com

Thank you very much.

Jim Shapiro