In the Air - HRAI Industry News

HRAI members shipping systems or components into the United States, have been significantly hit by changes made by the United States in early April to a category of tariffs called Section 232 tariffs, but previously known to cover steel and aluminum products.

 

Starting April 6, 2026, this category of tariffs saw a few important changes:

• Copper and certain copper-containing products/derivatives are now included

• For covered products, Section 232 duties are now assessed on the full customs value (not just metal-content value).

• Rates are now tiered (commonly 50% for many core metal articles; 25% for many derivatives), depending on US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification and annex listing.

• Certain products with 15% or less of the applicable metals by aggregate weight may be excluded (subject to annex/HTS rules).

 

Export Development Bank of Canada has a Trade Impact Program to support Canadian exporters, available through the following link:

https://www.edc.ca/en/campaign/trade-support-canadian-companies.html.

 

Several webinars are available on the HRAI Youtube Channel with information on Canada-US trade and updates on tariffs: https://www.youtube.com/@hraichannel 

HRAI is working with other Canadian industry associations to convey to the federal government the impact that these changes are having on HRAI member companies. We will share updates for members on any new actions taken by the federal government to provide relief.

 

If you would like to share the impact that these changes have had on your company, please reach out to HRAI’s Director of Regulatory Affairs at pchao@hrai.ca, or (905) 602-4700 ext. 250.