U.S. copper tariffs started on August 1, 2025, when a 50% Section 232 tariff took effect on semi-finished copper products and copper-intensive derivatives. The path from investigation to tariff took 144 days. A separate tariff on refined copper, recommended at 15% from January 1, 2027 and 30% from January 1, 2028, has not been imposed as of mid-October 2026. Here are the dates that matter and the ones still pending.
Key Takeaways
- Copper tariffs started August 1, 2025, after a 144-day investigation.
- A refined copper tariff was recommended for 2027 and 2028 but not imposed.
- The customs entry date, not the ship date, sets the duty.
- Check open orders whenever a new effective date is announced.
From Investigation to Tariff: The 2025 Timeline
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| February 2025 | President directs a Section 232 investigation of copper imports |
| March 10, 2025 | Commerce formally starts the investigation |
| April 1, 2025 | Public comments due; no public hearing held |
| June 30, 2025 | Commerce report delivered to the President |
| July 30, 2025 | Proclamation 10962 signed |
| August 1, 2025 | 50% tariff takes effect on listed copper products |
The Congressional Research Service notes the copper case took 144 days from start to tariff, compared with 338 days for the 2017–2018 steel case. The Commerce report itself has not been published.
Dates Still Pending
The copper proclamation asked Commerce for an update on refined copper by June 30, 2026, so the President could decide whether to impose the recommended phased tariff on refined copper. As of mid-October 2026, no proclamation imposing it had been published. Other dates to watch:
- January 1, 2027: the proposed start of a 15% refined copper tariff, if adopted.
- December 31, 2027: end of temporary reduced rates on certain steel and aluminum equipment under the 2026 proclamations.
- January 1, 2028: the proposed step to 30% on refined copper, if adopted.
- Any date: Commerce and the Trade Representative can now add copper derivatives by notice.
We do not forecast whether these proposals will be adopted or how prices would respond.
Start Dates and Goods Already in Transit
Section 232 tariffs apply to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from a warehouse, on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern on the effective date. The copper proclamation did not include a general exception for goods already on the water. For importers, this means the customs clearance date sets the duty, so a vessel delay across an effective date can change your cost.
Planning Around Tariff Dates
For EV charger buyers, copper matters most in cables and wiring. When a rule change is announced, check which of your open orders will clear after the effective date, and who bears the change under your FOB or DDP terms. Our cable length guide shows why longer cables carry more copper, and the US customs guide covers entry steps.
EVDANCE ships factory-direct from Shenzhen and can share production and ship dates early so you can plan clearance timing. Distributors can start through our reseller program. Rates and rules here are as of October 2026; confirm the current proclamation and HTS notes before you ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did copper tariffs start in the US?
August 1, 2025, for semi-finished copper products and copper-intensive derivatives listed in Proclamation 10962.
When do refined copper tariffs start?
They have not started. A 15% rate from 2027 and 30% from 2028 was recommended, but no proclamation had imposed it as of mid-October 2026.
Does the ship date or the entry date decide the tariff?
The entry date. Section 232 duties apply to goods entered for consumption on or after the effective date.
Related Reading
- Importing EV Chargers Into the US: Customs, HTS and Section 301
- FOB vs DDP: How to Import EV Chargers From China Without Surprises
- EV Charger Cable Length Guide: 5 m, 7.5 m or Longer?
- Are All EV Charging Cables the Same?
