United States

Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act allows additional US duties on imports of steel articles and listed steel derivative products for national-security reasons. Since 2025 country exemptions have been removed, the duty rate has been raised and the list of derivative products expanded. Whether a fabricated steel structure (HTS 7308) or a prefabricated building (HTS 9406) is covered – and on what value – depends on the current proclamations and the exact HTS classification. We confirm the position with every quotation.

Since 2025 the US has also applied additional country-specific ("reciprocal") tariffs under emergency-economic-powers authority, including on imports from Vietnam, in parallel with Section 232. Rates, exclusions and their legal basis have changed repeatedly – always check the latest CBP guidance (CSMS messages) before pricing.

For steel products subject to Section 232, CBP requires the country where the steel was melted and poured to be reported at entry. World Steel supplies mill certificates showing melt and pour origin. Country of origin of the finished goods follows US "substantial transformation" rules; transhipment or misdeclared origin is penalised.

The US Department of Commerce and ITC maintain AD/CVD orders on many steel products by country. Before each shipment the exact HTS code and country of origin are checked against active AD/CVD orders and scope rulings.

Imports are cleared by a licensed US customs broker: Importer Security Filing (ISF "10+2") at least 24 hours before loading for ocean cargo, a continuous or single-entry customs bond, entry (CBP Form 3461) and entry summary (CBP Form 7501) with duty payment, plus marking of country of origin on goods or packaging (19 CFR Part 134).

Federally funded infrastructure projects are subject to Buy America and the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), which require US-produced iron and steel. Privately funded commercial and industrial buildings are not affected.

Structures must comply with the International Building Code as adopted by the state / city, with loads to ASCE 7, steel design to AISC 360 / AISC 341, cold-formed design to AISI S100 and welding to AWS D1.1 / D1.3. Drawings are sealed by a licensed US professional engineer. Shop fabrication is subject to special inspection unless performed by an approved fabricator – IAS AC472 accreditation (held by World Steel) supports acceptance of metal building systems.

Typical commercial practice: AISC Code of Standard Practice (AISC 303) terms, imperial units and US detailing conventions, US-format submittals (shop drawings, calculations, erection drawings, anchor-bolt plans), ASTM material certificates, and Incoterms agreed up front (FOB Vietnam, CIF / DAP US port).