As of 6 April, the US government has added an additional 10% tariff on most goods coming from New Zealand, applied on top of any existing tariffs your importers or US offices were already paying.
This is part of a wider change affecting almost every country in the world, and it applies whether you’re sending finished products, parts, raw materials, or components to the US.
Read the full Executive Order and factsheet here
What you need to know
- 10% tariff now applies to most goods entering the US.
- This is in addition to existing tariffs – not a replacement.
- Steel and aluminium still have a 25% tariff (this hasn’t changed).
- Services are not affected – this is just about goods/products for now.
Will low-value items also attract US tariffs?
Not now, but soon. The de minimis rule, which lets small-value goods enter the US without duty, is still in place for now for our goods, but this will change once the US has had a chance to update their systems to allow faster customs fee collections. They haven't provided a date for when this implementation will be completed, but they have indicated that it will be as soon as possible.
If you’re an eCommerce business, now’s the time to prepare for changes ahead.
Unsure what this means for your exports?
Contact us to help you understand how best to prepare your shipments and manage importer's expectations around the US Tarriffs.
Resources collated by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise may also help understand how this may impact your business.