Section 301 Tariff
Trade Agreements & Rates · US Import Rules
What is Section 301 Tariff?
A Section 301 tariff is an additional US tariff imposed on goods from a specific country under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, layered on top of the standard MFN duty rate for that product. It’s a unilateral US trade-policy tool, not a WTO-negotiated rate.
Section 301 tariffs have been used most extensively against China, but the mechanism has also been applied more broadly across other economies in recent years - the exact rate and which countries are covered has changed multiple times, so treat any specific percentage as a snapshot rather than a fixed rule.
Think of a Section 301 tariff as a targeted surcharge one country adds specifically against another, on top of the normal toll everyone else pays - it's a trade-policy tool, not a standard, evenly-applied rate.
When to Use It
Check for a Section 301 tariff whenever estimating US duty on goods from a country the US has an active trade dispute or policy action against - it can add a substantial percentage on top of the standard MFN rate, sometimes overriding otherwise-normal duty treatment entirely.
Because Section 301 tariffs are set through executive trade action rather than legislation, they can change with relatively little notice - a rate that was accurate last month isn’t guaranteed to still be accurate today, so always verify the current rate for a specific product and origin rather than relying on a remembered figure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Section 301 Tariff
Is a Section 301 tariff the same as standard customs duty?
No - it’s an additional, targeted tariff layered on top of the standard MFN duty rate, imposed under a specific US trade-policy authority rather than the normal tariff schedule.
Does a Section 301 tariff apply to every country?
No - it applies specifically to goods from countries or economies named under an active Section 301 action, not universally. China has faced the most extensive and longest-running measures under this mechanism.
Can Section 301 tariffs change quickly?
Yes - they’re set through executive trade action and have been added, adjusted, and challenged in court repeatedly in recent years, making them one of the more volatile parts of current US import policy.
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