Argentina updated customs duty and VAT updates
Argentina customs have announced modifications to customs duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) rates applicable to certain imported products, including nuts (HS Chapter 08) and synthetic filament yarn (HS Chapter 54). The changes form part of the government's ongoing efforts to update customs procedures, improve tax administration, and align import regulations with current economic and trade policy objectives.
Barbados tariff HS update
Barbados customs have announced to introduce a new Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification under Chapter 87, effective May 1, 2026.
Brazil customs duty updates for Lithium-ion batteries, Polyethylene film and strip
Brazil Customs has announced updates to its tariff schedule, modifying import duty rates for a range of products, including lithium-ion batteries and polyethylene film and strip. The revisions are part of the country's ongoing efforts to align its tariff framework with industrial policy objectives, trade priorities, and evolving market conditions. Among the products affected by the changes are lithium-ion batteries, generally classified under HS Chapter 85 (Electrical Machinery and Equipment), and polyethylene film and strip, typically classified under HS Chapter 39 (Plastics and Articles Thereof).
EU Council agrees to levy customs duty on small parcels as of 1 July 2026
The European Council has agreed to implement a fixed customs duty of €3 on small parcels valued at less than €150 entering the EU from 1 July 2026.
As of 1 July 2026, goods entering the EU in small consignments and valued at less than €150 will be subject to a fixed €3 customs duty. The rate will be applied to all goods entering the EU for which non-EU sellers are registered in the EU’s import one-stop shop (IOSS) for value-added tax purposes. This encompasses 93% of all e-commerce flows to the EU.
EU-US trade: Council and Parliament strike a deal to implement the tariff elements of the Joint Statement
The Council presidency and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on two regulations aimed at implementing the tariff-related aspects of the EU-US Joint Statement, agreed on 21 August 2025. The agreement marks an important step in delivering on the commitments undertaken in the EU-US Joint Statement. It aims at enhancing a stable and predictable transatlantic trade relationship, while ensuring robust safeguards and preserving flexibility to be able to protect the EU’s economic interests, if needed. The Joint Statement is expected to serve as a platform to continue engaging with the US to lower tariffs and cooperate closely on shared challenges. The first (main) regulation eliminates remaining customs duties on US industrial goods and grants preferential market access including via tariff rate quotas (TRQs) and reduced tariffs for certain US seafood and non-sensitive agricultural products. The second regulation focuses on extending the duty suspension for imports of lobster, including processed lobster.
Furthermore, the agreement reinforces the conditions under which the Commission is empowered to suspend in whole or in part the application of the regulation, via an implementing act. This may happen where the United States fails to meet the commitments of the Joint Statement, where the United States otherwise undermines the objectives pursued by the Joint Statement or disrupts the trade and investment relations with the EU, including by discriminating against or targeting EU economic operators. The suspension mechanism may also be triggered where there are sufficient indications that such actions may occur in the future.
Furthermore, the Commission is empowered to suspend concessions concerning steel and aluminium products to the US if by 31 December 2026 the US continues to apply a tariff rate higher than 15% on steel and aluminium derivative products imported from the EU.
Announcement of the State Council Tariff Commission on Implementing Zero-Tariff Measures on African Countries with which China Has Established Diplomatic Relations to expand high-level opening-up and promote common development between China and Africa, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Customs Law of the People's Republic of China, from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028, zero tariffs will be implemented on 20 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China and are not among the least developed countries. The list of countries and relevant tariff rates are attached. Source
India raises gold and silver tariffs to 15% to curb imports, support rupee
India has raised import tariffs on gold and silver to 15% from 6%, government orders said on Wednesday, as part of efforts to curb overseas purchases of the metals and ease pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves. The higher duties could dampen demand in the world's second-largest consumer of precious metals, although they may help narrow India's trade deficit and support the rupee, one of Asia's worst-performing currencies.
Turkey customs updated the consumption tax
Türkiye Customs has announced revisions to the Special Consumption Tax (SCT) rates applicable to gasoline products, reflecting the government's ongoing efforts to adjust fiscal policies and manage revenue collection from fuel-related products. The updated tax rates apply to gasoline products generally classified under HS Chapter 27 (Mineral Fuels, Mineral Oils and Products of Their Distillation).
United Kingdom customs tariff update
The following commodity codes are ending as of 30 June 2026:
- 1515909992; 2811220080; 2835100020; 2841700030; 2903998050; 2904990080; 2906190050; 2914199030 and 2914390030;
The following commodity codes are being absorbed as of 1 July 2026:
- 1515909992 is being absorbed into 1515909999
- 2811220080 is being absorbed into 2811220090
- 2835100020 is being absorbed into 2835100090
- 2841700030 is being absorbed into 2841700090
- 2903998050 is being absorbed into 2903998090
- 2904990080 is being absorbed into 2904990090
- 2906190050 is being absorbed into 2906190090
- 2914199030 is being absorbed into 2914199090
- 2914390030 is being absorbed into 2914390090
United Kingdom: Update to VAT Z Coverage on Aircraft and Aircraft Parts
VATZ has been added to a number of commodity codes. These changes better reflect where VATZ (0% VAT) should be available for qualifying aircraft and aircraft parts. Footnote 03/028 has also been added to all commodity codes referencing aircraft, to help importers understand when VATZ applies. Any declarations pre-lodged before this change takes effect must be amended before the goods arrive, to prevent rejection by CDS. The following changes to the affected commodity codes will take effect from 1 June 2026. The commodity codes are as follows: Chapters: 39, 40, 70, 73, 74, 76, 81, 83, 84, 85, 88, 90, 91, 94
The United States Appeals CIT Decision on Section 122
In a notice filed on May 8, 2026, The United States filed an appeal to the Court of International Trade’s (CIT) decision to find the Section 122 tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump to be unlawful. The decision by CIT issued a permanent injunction against the collection of Section 122 Tariffs from the State of Washington and two private importers. The case will now head to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
United States: CIT Finds Section 122 Tariffs Unlawful, Issues Injunction for Suit Filers
In an opinion published on May 7, 2026, the Court of International Trade (CIT) determined that the application of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 did not meet the conditions set out in the statute and issued an injunction against the collection of the tariffs for the importers that filed the suit. The decision was not unanimous, with the majority concluding that the balance‑of‑payments conditions required under the statute were not satisfied.
The injunction is being extended only to the importers Burlap and Barrel, Basic Fun, and the state of Washington. The remaining 23 states involved in the suit were found to lack standing to challenge the duties because they did not directly import goods subject to Section 122 tariffs.
United States: CBP Publishes Technical Corrections on Section 232 for Aluminum, Steel, and Copper
In a Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) bulletin published on May 6, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP? Provided guidance on technical corrections on Section 232 duties on imports of aluminum, steel, and copper. The first technical correction adds a new subheading, 9903.82.01: articles provided for in subdivision (c) of U.S. note 16 to this subchapter that do not contain any aluminum, steel, or copper. This subheading has a 0% additional ad valorem rate of duty. The second correction makes a clarification for United Kingdom (UK) origin steel articles made by Tata Steel UK which has the reported country of melt and pour as the Netherlands. These articles can be imported under the lower Section 232 rate for UK origin steel under heading 9903.82.04 until January 1, 2028.
US says it will revert to higher tariffs on EU goods if Brussels misses July 4 deadline
The U.S. will revert to higher tariffs on European Union goods if Brussels fails to implement trade deal commitments before a July 4 deadline, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday. He spoke with trade officials from different European countries and the EU during a visit to Europe this week and believed "their minds are focused" on making the needed changes.
USITC Seeks Comments on Upcoming HTS Updates
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) published a notice in the Federal Register with recommended changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). In June of 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) adopted certain recommendations into the Harmonized System (HS) which will enter into force on January 1, 2028. According to the notice, USITC has initiated an investigation to "prepare recommendations for such modifications to the HTS as it considers necessary or appropriate to conform the HTS with such amendments to the Harmonized System." The notice invites government agencies and the public to submit comments on any proposed changes. Comments are due by May 18, 2026.