Listen to this post

On March 4, 2025 and March 7, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implemented five Presidential Executive Orders governing imports from China, Hong Kong, Canada, and Mexico. CBP is now collecting the following additional tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act: 

  • Additional 25% tariffs on goods that do not satisfy U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) rules of origin.
  • A lower, additional 10% tariff on energy products imported from Canada that fall outside the USMCA preference.
  • A lower, additional 10% tariff on potash imported from Canada and Mexico that falls outside the USMCA preference.
  • Additional 20% on goods from China and Hong Kong (increased from 10% on March 4). 

Effective March 7, 2025, no additional tariffs are due on goods from Canada and Mexico that qualify for the USMCA preference.

In addition, CBP provided specific guidance on imports of aluminum and aluminum derivative Products as well as import duties on imports of steel and steel derivative products. Guidance regarding steel imports follows President Trump’s February 10, 2025 proclamation imposing 25 percent ad valorem tariffs on all imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles from all countries, effective March 12, 2025. Guidance regarding aluminum imports follows President Trump’s February 10, 2025 proclamation imposing a 25 percent import duty on all imports of aluminum articles and derivative aluminum articles from all countries, also effective March 12, 2025.

Tariff Impacts on Cross-Border Logistics

In response to the tariffs announced (and then delayed) by the United States, cross-border trucking operations reported broad impacts to freight movement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Carriers noted that border crossings across Canada and into Mexico experienced delays, at least some of which are due to higher volumes in anticipation of the impending tariffs. Specifically, CH Robinson reported notable increases in customer requests for USMCA qualification for products that may no longer be duty free under the new 25% IEEPA tariffs, considering the White House announcement that USMCA-complaint goods will benefit from a tariff pause. Additionally, some shippers are adopting innovative customs strategies, separating shipments to limit duties owed on tariff-affected materials, adding complexity to cross-border logistics.