Section 122 Surcharge Ended in July 2026: Casting Import Checks

The temporary U.S. import surcharge imposed under Section 122 in February 2026 was 10% ad valorem, not 15%. The proclamation made it effective on 24 February 2026 for a 150-day period. Its July 2026 end date is now historical; buyers should not use the former surcharge as a current line item.

The official text is Proclamation 11012 in the Federal Register.

Why 15% appeared in earlier explanations

Section 122 authorises a temporary surcharge up to a statutory ceiling. That ceiling is not the same as the rate actually imposed. Proclamation 11012 selected 10%, so a landed-cost model that used 15% overstated this specific temporary measure by five percentage points.

Expiry did not make every China-origin casting tariff-free

Removing one temporary layer does not determine the complete duty on a shipment. The current result can depend on:

• •the exact HTSUS classification and normal duty rate;
• •country of origin and any applicable Section 301 measure;
• •whether the product or derivative is covered by a current Section 232 aluminium action;
• •exclusions, special programs or product-specific instructions;
• •entry date, customs value and any later government notice.

U.S. aluminium measures changed again during 2026. The White House issued further Section 232 actions in April, June and July, including a 20 July 2026 aluminium proclamation. Those actions are separate from the expired Section 122 surcharge. A generic article cannot determine whether a particular machined casting falls under a current derivative-product provision.

A safer landed-cost workflow

For each casting RFQ, record:

• •proposed HTSUS code and classification rationale;
• •country-of-origin basis;
• •customs value and Incoterm assumptions;
• •each duty program considered, with the official notice and effective date;
• •freight, brokerage and other landed-cost items;
• •the licensed broker or internal customs reviewer and review date.

Run the model again before shipment if the tooling or first-article phase spans a policy change. Do not change origin labels or route goods through a third country merely to avoid duties; origin must reflect the applicable legal rules and manufacturing facts.

What to send the casting supplier

The supplier needs the drawing, alloy, machining scope, annual volume, destination, Incoterm and target timing. The importer or broker, not the foundry, should own the final customs classification and duty calculation.

Send the technical package through the casting RFQ form, then add the broker-confirmed customs assumptions to the commercial comparison.

*Updated 26 August 2026. This is sourcing information, not legal or customs advice. Confirm current duty treatment for the exact HTSUS code and entry date with official U.S. notices and a licensed customs professional.*