Taiwan Tariffs Find Their Ceiling

The U.S. and Taiwan have finalized a trade and investment agreement capping certain Section 232 tariffs on specified Taiwan imports at 15%. The measure applies to qualifying auto parts for passenger vehicles and light trucks, timber, lumber and related wood products, plus select non-military aircraft components containing steel, aluminum or copper. The changes are retroactive to May 1, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.

For importers, the practical impact depends on the existing duty rate. If a product’s normal tariff is already 15% or higher, no additional Section 232 surcharge applies. If it is below 15%, an add-on tariff brings the combined rate to the cap. Covered wood products cannot use preference programs to reduce duties below 15%, and trade remedies such as antidumping and countervailing duties still apply.

TLC is monitoring tariff exposure, documentation requirements, and lane-level cost impacts across affected categories. When trade policy shifts, we help shippers keep decisions grounded and freight moving with clarity.

When it’s handled by TLC, it’s handled with TLC — even when the tariff map gets complicated.