Beginning November 1, 2025, the United States will impose new import duties on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), certain vehicle parts, and buses. These measures are implemented under Presidential Proclamation 10984 and are intended to address national security risks while supporting domestic manufacturing. If you’re an importer, it’s important to understand how these changes might impact your business.
Background: why these duties were imposed
Following a Department of Commerce investigation, the U.S. government concluded that rising imports of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and related components pose a national security concern. These vehicles are considered critical to military readiness, emergency services, and the operation of essential infrastructure.
Key findings from the investigation included:
- Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles transport more than 70% of U.S. freight by weight, including food, fuel, and medical supplies.
- Imported vehicles now represent approximately 43% of the overall MHDV market, rising to 50% in the heaviest truck category (Class 8).
- The U.S. relies heavily on foreign suppliers for core components such as engines, transmissions, and batteries, increasing supply-chain vulnerability.
New duty rates effective November 1, 2025
As of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on November 1, 2025, the following duties apply to qualifying goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from bonded warehouses:
- 25% ad valorem duty on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and designated vehicle parts
- 10% ad valorem duty on buses and other vehicles classified under HTSUS heading 8702
Products covered by the proclamation
The scope of the action includes, but is not limited to:
Vehicles
- Large pickup trucks
- Cargo and moving trucks
- Dump trucks
- Tractor units for eighteen-wheelers
(Classified by gross vehicle weight)
Vehicle parts
- Engines
- Transmissions
- Tires
- Chassis and related components
Buses
- School buses
- Transit buses
- Motor coaches
Exemption: Trucks and buses manufactured 25 years ago or earlier are excluded from these duties.
Detailed product coverage is outlined in Annex I in the Proclamation.
Filing requirements and HTS considerations
All entries from any country of origin classified under HTSUS subheadings 9903.74.01 through 9903.74.11 are subject to the new duties.
Importers should be aware that these HTS provisions are HTS-driven, meaning they may capture products beyond traditional trucks, parts, or buses. If your merchandise falls under an affected HTS code, you must evaluate whether it meets the scope of the remedy before filing.
Exemptions, adjustments, and special programs
Several carve-outs and relief mechanisms are available:
Vintage vehicle exemption
Vehicles and buses manufactured at least 25 years ago are excluded from the duties.
USMCA treatment
- Trucks (not buses) that qualify under USMCA rules of origin may apply the 25% tariff only to the non-U.S. content, subject to pre-approval from the Department of Commerce.
- USMCA-qualified truck parts (excluding knockdown kits) are temporarily excluded from the 25% duty until Commerce establishes a valuation process.
Offset program for U.S. assembly
Manufacturers assembling trucks in the U.S. may apply for an import adjustment offset equal to 3.75% of the total value of all medium- and heavy-duty vehicles assembled domestically.
Adjusted rates for select countries
Reduced duty rates continue to apply for qualifying imports from:
- European Union: 15%
- Japan: 15%
- United Kingdom: 10%
Proper certification is required, and importers must report duties under the correct HTS provisions.
Duty drawback limitations
Only Direct Identification and Substitution Manufacturing drawback claims are permitted for these products.
Tariff stacking clarification
Goods covered by this proclamation will not be subject to additional Section 232 duties on steel, aluminum, copper, automobiles, or automobile parts. This prevents overlapping Section 232 tariffs on the same merchandise.
Self-declaring parts as auto or truck parts
Manufacturers may self-declare certain components as auto or truck parts for Section 232 purposes if:
- The part is not already subject to Section 232 auto or truck tariffs
- The part is not classifiable in HTS Chapters 72, 73, or 76
- The part is used for vehicle production or repair in the United States
This option may allow importers to avoid Section 232 steel and aluminum derivative tariffs on qualifying parts.
Additional USMCA considerations
For USMCA-qualifying trucks, Commerce approval is required before applying duties only to non-U.S. content. If CBP later determines that U.S. content was overstated, the full 25% duty will apply to all vehicles of that model until compliance is verified.
The Proclamation also contemplates potential relief for Canada- and Mexico-origin steel and aluminum used in U.S. vehicle production, though Commerce has not yet issued implementation guidance.
What importers should do now
If you import trucks, vehicle parts, buses, or products classified under the impacted HTS codes, proactive review is critical. Importers should:
- Identify any overlap between multiple Section 232 remedies
- Confirm whether products captured by the HTS scope are actually used for vehicle production
- Review USMCA eligibility for vehicles and parts
- Evaluate whether self-declaration is appropriate for certain components
The governing scopes are HTS-based and published in the Federal Register notices titled “Adjusting Imports of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Parts, and Buses Into the United States” and “Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States.”
Next steps
- Review CBP guidance, including CSMS #66665333
- Validate HTS classifications for all affected imports
- Coordinate with your customs broker on proper reporting
- Assess the financial impact of the new duties and adjust pricing or sourcing strategies accordingly
Additional details are available in the Presidential Proclamation and related White House fact.
