200% for Aluminum if Country of Smelt and Cast is “Unknown”

Effective June 28, 2025, reporting "unknown" for the country of smelt and/or cast will result in a 200% Section 232 duty on aluminum imports. Therefore, to avoid the 200% tariff, it is crucial to report the country of smelt and cast.

For US Customs purposes, the "country of smelt" for aluminum refers to the country where the primary aluminum was produced from alumina (aluminum oxide) using the electrolytic Hall-Héroult process. The "country of cast" is defined as the country where the aluminum, with or without added alloying elements, was last melted by heat and cast into a solid form. This distinction is important for import requirements, particularly for aluminum articles and derivative aluminum articles subject to Section 232 tariffs. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown: 

• Primary Country of Smelt:

This is the country where the largest volume of new aluminum metal is produced from alumina. For imports, this is a key piece of information to track.

• Secondary Country of Smelt:

In cases where the primary country of smelt is not the only source of aluminum, the country with the second largest volume of aluminum production from alumina is also considered.

• Country of Cast:

This refers to the last place where the aluminum was melted and solidified into a specific shape, like ingots, billets, or other forms.

Why is this information needed?

This information is crucial for customs and border protection, specifically for tracking and assessing tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. These tariffs were established to address threats to national security posed by imports of certain steel and aluminum products. 

Reporting requirements:

For imports of aluminum articles and derivative aluminum articles, importers must report the primary and secondary countries of smelt (if applicable) and the country of cast, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If the country of smelt or cast is unknown, specific reporting procedures, including using "unknown" or specific HTS codes, must be followed. 

For further information, read here: CSMS # 65340246 - GUIDANCE: Section 232 Aluminum Import Instructions for Reporting Unknown for the Country of Smelt and Cast