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Mexico steel tariffs: what U.S. buyers should check
A plain-language overview of Section 232 duties on steel and fabricated steel products from Mexico. Last reviewed November 4, 2026.
The short version
Since April 2026, Section 232 duties have been assessed on the full customs value of covered articles, not only the metal content. The rate depends mostly on how your product is classified and whether it qualifies under USMCA. Raw steel and a fabricated assembly may land in different tiers, so it is worth checking both before you decide where to buy and where to process.
The main rate tiers
| Steel articles | 50% on full customs value for articles made entirely or almost entirely of steel. |
|---|---|
| Derivative articles | 25% on full customs value for covered derivatives substantially made of steel. |
| USMCA-qualifying listed goods | From June 8, 2026 through December 31, 2027, the 25% rate applies only to non-U.S. content of qualifying listed goods from Mexico or Canada, with a total effective rate of at least 15%. |
| High U.S. metal content | 10% for derivatives with at least 85% U.S. melted and poured steel, with documentation. |
| Low metal content | Products with 15% or less covered metal fall outside Section 232. |
Summary of Proclamation 11021 (April 2, 2026), Proclamation 11032 (June 1, 2026), CBP guidance of June 5, 2026 and the Commerce notice on U.S. content of October 14, 2026, as reported by trade advisers. Rules change. This is general information, not legal or customs advice.
Questions to answer before you buy
- What is the HTS classification? It decides the tier. Have a licensed customs broker confirm it, and check the current annexes.
- Is it a raw material or a finished article? Beams imported as beams can be treated differently from fabricated assemblies. Compare both routes.
- Does it qualify under USMCA? Relief is claimed at entry, and it is not automatic.
- Where was the steel melted and poured? Importers report it, and U.S. melted steel can change the rate. Keep mill certificates and supplier declarations.
- What goes into customs value? Since duties apply to full value, the way a scope is structured matters.
- What is the landed cost? Compare the delivered number and schedule, not only the unit price.
How we handle it
We quote tariffs up front and review each scope with licensed customs brokers. Because we manage both steel supply and fabrication, we can compare buying material against processing it in Mexico. In some cases that may reduce the tariff impact on your project. In others, it will not, and we would rather tell you early.
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We can review your scope together and come back with sourcing options, pricing, tariffs and freight in one number.