Aluminum HS Codes Under Section 232

Section 232 on aluminum has been in force since the original 2018 proclamation. The 2025 rate increase from 10 percent to 25 percent (matching steel) plus the introduction of the smelt-and-cast origin rule made aluminum imports a major cost item. As with steel, the rule covers chapter 76 directly plus an expanded list of derivative articles in other chapters where aluminum content is significant.

This guide lists the chapter 76 lines in scope, explains the smelt-and-cast origin, the derivative articles list, and the country arrangements.

Chapter 76: aluminum and articles thereof

Almost all of chapter 76 is in scope. Key headings:

• 7601: unwrought aluminum. Primary form, in scope.
• 7602: aluminum waste and scrap. In scope.
• 7603: aluminum powders and flakes. In scope.
• 7604: aluminum bars, rods, profiles. In scope. Major category.
• 7605: aluminum wire. In scope.
• 7606-7607: aluminum plates, sheets, strip, foil. In scope.
• 7608: aluminum tubes and pipes. In scope.
• 7609: aluminum tube or pipe fittings. In scope.
• 7610: aluminum structures (windows, doors, building components). In scope.
• 7611-7613: containers, tanks, casks for various capacities. In scope.
• 7614: stranded wire and cables. In scope.
• 7615: aluminum table, kitchen, household articles. In scope.
• 7616: other aluminum articles. In scope; specific sub-categories.

Smelt-and-cast origin

Effective 2025, the origin of aluminum for Section 232 purposes is determined by:

1. Where the primary aluminum was smelted (from alumina via the Hall-Heroult process), and
2. Where the molten aluminum was first cast into a solid form (ingot, billet, T-bar, slab).

If a Chinese smelter melts alumina into aluminum and casts to billet, then the billet is exported to Mexico for extrusion to profile, the profile is Chinese origin for Section 232.

For secondary aluminum (recycled from scrap), the origin is where the scrap was remelted and cast.

Worked example: Chinese billet rolled in Mexico

A Mexican aluminum extrusion plant imports Chinese-smelt billet, extrudes profiles, and ships 100,000 USD of finished extrusion to the US. HTS 7604.21 (aluminum profiles, hollow). Mexican-finished but Chinese-smelt origin for Section 232.

The Mexican-finished extrusion looks Mexican on the commercial invoice, but the underlying aluminum is Chinese for Section 232. CBP demands documentation of the smelt source via affidavit.

Smelt-and-cast certification

The importer must obtain and retain a producer certification covering:

• The smelter name, location, and country.
• The casting facility (if different).
• The heat or melt number.
• Chemical composition.
• Date of smelt.
• Subsequent processing (rolled, extruded, drawn, etc.) by facility and country.

Many aluminum companies issue Mill Test Reports or smelt certificates as part of standard commercial documentation. For Section 232 purposes, the document must specifically identify the smelt origin.

The derivative articles list

Section 232 derivative articles for aluminum include:

• HTS 8708.10.30: parts of vehicles, where aluminum content is significant.
• HTS 8418.99.80: parts of refrigerators with aluminum exchangers.
• HTS 8516.90.04: heating element parts of electric appliances.
• HTS 8302.41: base metal mountings, fittings (aluminum predominantly).
• HTS 7616.91: cloth, grill, netting of aluminum wire.
• HTS 9403.20: metal furniture predominantly aluminum.
• Multiple sub-lines added in the 2024-25 expansion.

For derivative articles, Section 232 applies to the aluminum value portion only. The producer affidavit identifies the aluminum content by value.

Country arrangements

Quotas fill on a quarterly basis. CBP publishes the running fill rates.

Worked example: Norwegian aluminum into the US

Norway is one of the largest aluminum exporters to the US, with hydropower-driven smelters at Hydro Sunndalsora and Karmoy. HTS 7601.10 (unwrought aluminum, not alloyed). MFN 0 percent. No specific TRQ for Norway; covered under broader European arrangements.

For 500,000 USD of Norwegian primary aluminum:

Effective rate 25.2 percent. Section 232 dominates Norwegian aluminum economics.

Surge mechanism for Mexico

The 2024 amendment to the Mexico-US aluminum arrangement introduced a surge mechanism: if Mexican aluminum imports to the US exceed a baseline percentage above the prior year for a covered product, the US can impose 25 percent Section 232 retroactively on the surge volume. This was a response to allegations of Chinese aluminum routing through Mexico.

The mechanism has been triggered for specific extrusion product categories. Mexican exporters now manage volume carefully to stay below the surge thresholds.

Recycled content carve-out

Specific subheadings have carve-outs or reduced rates for high-recycled-content products. The criteria typically require:

• Verifiable post-consumer recycled content above 50 percent.
• Independent verification of the recycled share.
• Documentation of the scrap collection origin.

This is partly a sustainability policy lever and partly a trade lever; the verification regime is still developing.

How the calculator handles aluminum

The LandedFees calculator for chapter 76 and the derivative list:

1. Identifies the HTS as in scope.
2. Asks for the smelt-and-cast origin.
3. Checks country TRQ status.
4. Applies 25 percent if over quota or no TRQ.
5. Applies anti-stacking against Section 122.
6. Asks for aluminum value share for derivative articles.

Related guides

• Steel HS Codes Under Section 232
• Section 232 vs 301 vs 122: How US Tariffs Stack in 2026
• What is Section 122? The 2026 Reciprocal Tariff Explained
• USMCA Origin Rules: What Qualifies and What Doesn't
• Calculate Import Duty: Canada to USA
• Calculate Import Duty: Mexico to USA

Run an aluminum calculation in the calculator.