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US tariff changes: a live guide for ecommerce importers
The US tariff landscape has been changing faster than at any time in recent memory. This guide explains what is changing, at a high level, and routes you to the live data for the exact, current numbers.
Current as of 2026-08-05 23:11:42 (New York time) · 3331 measures & 6842 HTS codes tracked · community-maintained
Why this page exists
Since 2024, US tariff rules have been changing in waves throughout the year rather than in a single annual update. New duties, revisions, and exclusions arrive constantly. This guide gives you the big picture and points you to the live data on SkuWatch for the exact, current figures — because specific rates and product lists change too often to hard-code into an article.
As of the latest update, SkuWatch is tracking 3331 measures across 6842 HTS codes and 98 chapters, from 49 dated HTS revisions. See the always-current feed on the recent changes page and the full measures archive.
The main types of change to watch
Modern US import duty is often layered: a product's normal tariff, plus one or more additional duties stacked on top. The big categories:
- Section 301 (China). Additional duties on many goods from China, implemented through Chapter 99 provisions. Rates and covered product lists change often, and exclusions come and go. → Section 301 explained · live Section 301 hub
- Section 232 (steel, aluminum & derivatives). National-security duties, with country-specific arrangements. → Section 232 explained · live Section 232 hub
- IEEPA / "reciprocal" tariffs. Emergency-powers and reciprocal measures that can be announced and adjusted quickly. → IEEPA & reciprocal tariffs explained
- AD/CVD (anti-dumping & countervailing). Product- and country-specific duties that can be very high. → AD/CVD explained
- De minimis. Changes to the low-value shipment threshold that matter a lot for direct-to-consumer sellers. → De minimis explained
How to find what applies to your product
- Find your code. Search by product or HTS code or browse the HTS tree.
- Open the code page. Each code shows its current rate, a duty-by-country breakdown, a rate-history chart, and any linked Section 301/232 measures — plus a duty calculator.
- Check by country. If you source from China, start at the China measures hub.
- Watch for what's coming. New rules often enter a review or comment period before taking effect — follow our Radar and X channels to prepare in advance.
How we keep this current
SkuWatch updates automatically and aims to be the first to record breaking tariff news. Rather than freezing numbers into this article (which would quickly go stale), we keep the specifics in the live data — so the changes feed, the code pages, and the hubs are always the source of truth. This guide is the map; the data pages are the territory.
Frequently asked questions
How often do US tariffs change now?
Far more often than the historical once-or-twice-a-year cadence. In recent cycles the tariff schedule has seen dozens of revisions in a single year, plus separate additional-duty actions between revisions. That is why SkuWatch tracks changes continuously instead of publishing a static list.
Do additional tariffs replace the normal duty?
Usually no — they stack. A product can owe its normal HTS duty plus a Section 301 or 232 add-on, reported through a separate Chapter 99 code. Always check the specific code page for what applies.
Where do I get the exact current rate?
On the individual HTS code page for your product, which is generated from the live data and shows the current rate, its history, and linked measures. Confirm anything that matters against the official source before you import.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Tariff rules change frequently; confirm against the official source before you act.