New U.S. Import Requirements for Semiconductor Products – Effective January 15, 2026

On January 14, 2026, the President issued a Section 232 Proclamation adjusting U.S. import treatment for certain semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and related derivative products due to national security concerns. The action introduces a new tariff framework with defined scope, exclusions, and compliance requirements.

Effective Date & Scope

• Effective for goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, January 15, 2026

• Applies to imports from all countries of origin

Tariff Rate

• 25% ad valorem duty

Applicability

• Applies when covered products are imported outside qualifying U.S. supply chain–supporting uses

Covered Products

• Certain advanced computing chips and specified derivative products
• Includes logic integrated circuits, or articles containing them, meeting defined performance thresholds
• Implemented through amendments to the HTSUS, including new notes and tariff provisions

Exclusions and Approved Uses

The 25% tariff does not apply when covered products are imported for:

• Use in U.S. data centers

• Repairs or replacements performed in the United States

• U.S.-based research and development

• Use by qualifying U.S. startups

• Non–data-center consumer electronics

• Non–data-center civil industrial applications, including machinery and robotics

• U.S. public sector applications

• Other uses approved by the Secretary of Commerce that support U.S. supply chains or domestic manufacturing

Relationship to Other Trade Measures

• Covered products arenot subject to other Section 232 tariffs

• Exempt from reciprocal and border tariffs imposed under specified IEEPA-related executive orders

• Fentanyl-related tariffs on China remain applicable, where relevant

Trade Program Impact

• Duties apply in addition to free trade agreement benefits

• Duties apply in addition to antidumping and countervailing duties

• No duty drawback is permitted

• Certain Chapter 98 provisions may apply, subject to full value duty treatment

Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) Impact

• Covered products admitted to U.S. foreign-trade zones on or after the effective date must be entered under privileged foreign status, unless eligible for domestic status

For questions or assistance related to this notice, please contact your Eastern account representative or email entry@easternworldwide.com.

To view the full Proclamation, visit: Whitehouse.gov Presidential Actions - Proclamation January 14, 2026

To view the published Federal Registry, visit: Federal Register Published Document -2026-01052 (91 FR 2443)