On April 29th, 2025, the Trump administration released a new executive order regarding US trade and tariff policy. This Executive Order, issued under various legal authorities including IEEPA, the Trade Act of 1974, and the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, establishes that overlapping U.S. tariffs on the same imported article—when imposed under specific trade and national security authorities—should not be cumulative (“stacked”), unless explicitly permitted. The goal is to avoid excessive duty rates that exceed what is necessary to meet policy objectives.
If an imported article is subject to multiple tariffs under specified authorities, only one set will apply, based on a hierarchy:
Automobile Tariffs (Sec. 2a) override all others (2b–2e).
Northern and Southern Border Drug-Related Tariffs (Secs. 2b & 2c) override aluminum and steel tariffs (2d & 2e).
Aluminum (2d) and Steel (2e) tariffs may both apply to the same article if conditions for each are met.
This order only prevents stacking among the specific actions listed in Section 2. It does not affect duties imposed under other laws (e.g., HTSUS general duties, Section 301 tariffs, anti-dumping or countervailing duties).
Tariffs affected by this order include:
Proclamations and executive orders on automobiles, northern/southern border drug interdiction, and aluminum and steel imports (dating from 2018 to 2025).
CBP (Customs and Border Protection), in coordination with the Treasury, Commerce, and USTR, must update enforcement systems and guidance to reflect this order.
Necessary Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) changes must be made by May 16, 2025, with the order applied retroactively to imports from March 4, 2025.
Refunds for overpaid duties will follow standard CBP procedures.
This order does not affect:
Other existing duties, taxes, or charges (e.g., Section 301 tariffs, synthetic opioid-related tariffs, HTSUS Column 1 rates).
Enforcement of any tariff outside the specified list.
The order does not grant any enforceable legal rights.
It is subject to legal limitations and funding availability.
Based on the latest insights from the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report, here’s a practical breakdown of the most pressing trade challenges across the United States’ top 10 goods trading partners.
On April 24th, The US Department of Homeland Security and US Customs & Border Protection have released new guidance around the end of the US' de minimis exception. See the changes ahead for importers and customs professionals.
On April 2nd, the Trump administration announced reciprocal tariffs aimed at 50 countries and a baseline 10% tariff on all imports to the US. Here are the latest tariffs the US plans to levy against other countries.
Founder & CEO of Freight Right Global Logistics, Robert Khachatryan, sat down with Tuck Ly, Vice President of Clearpoint International, to discuss the major issues affecting the global supply chain and port congestion
US government announces executive order aimed at stopping de minimis imports. See what will and won't change for US importers.
Demurrage and detention fees are mostly avoidable when you use the right solutions and partnerships to help you manage your shipments.
We examine how US-China trade tariffs have affected freight and logistics around the world.
A list of strict ATA Carnet accepting-countries and the specifications they hold. Most non-commercial, exhibiting importers and exporters recognize the value and role of ATA Carnets in the complicated field of trade. While the World Customs Organization
This serves as a promising stepping stone in the resolution of the ongoing Trade War between the two countries. On Dec. 13, the U.S. and China reached what leaders of both countries call the “Phase One” of a long-awaited trade agreement, which serves as
Outer space is the newest export frontier, where rockets and satellites count as high-tech cargo, triggering a bureaucratic maze of customs, export controls, and duty drawbacks. As the space economy grows, regulators face challenges from orbital warehouse