Most Russian Goods With Doubled Tariffs Are Steel and Iron; 45 New Products at 35%

Proclamations increasing tariffs on Russian goods (see 2302240006) were published in the March 2 Federal Register, alongside annexes detailing the tariff subheadings facing the tariff increases. President Joe Biden authorized hiking tariffs from 35% to 70% on 45 products from Russia, largely steel and iron products, but also copper, lead, industrial diamonds and some aluminum categories; and upped tariffs on most aluminum products to 200%. Most of the 570 products previously subject to the 35% tariff will remain taxed at 35%.

The 200% aluminum tariffs will begin March 10, according to one proclamation. Starting on April 10, aluminum articles from other countries that used any aluminum from Russia also will be tariffed at 200%, unless those third countries also impose 200% tariffs on imported Russian aluminum.

The 70% tariff list, which also includes some aluminum products, will go into effect April 1. In all, over 120 subheadings will now face 70% tariffs. See the annexes for the full list.

There are 24 products that will be taxed at 35% starting on April 1, including pig iron, carbon black, calcium, hydrogen and argon, nitrates, various rare earth minerals, new categories of industrial diamonds, platinum, nickel, and car, bus and tractor bumpers. Since Russia's most favored nation status was previously terminated, the Column 2 tariffs on some of these items were already 25% or 30%, so the increase may not substantially change import volumes in some categories.

The goods now facing 35% tariffs are classified under HTS subheadings 2601.12.00, 2615.10.00, 2803.00.00, 2804.90.00, 2805.12.00, 2816.10.00, 2834.29.10, 2846.90.20, 2846.90.40, 2846.90.80, 7102.21.40, 7102.29.00, 7110.11.00, 7110.19.00, 7110.29.00, 7110.31.00, 7110.39.00, 7110.41.00, 7110.49.00, 7502.10.00, 7502.20.00, 7504.00.00, and 8708.10.30.