As of April 2025, the United States has made significant changes in global trade policies by increasing customs duties on China in particular and introducing new tariffs on many countries. In this article, we will examine in detail what the new U.S. customs tariff brings along.
In addition, we will also address what customs duty means, what the main purposes of customs duties are for countries, how customs duties are calculated, and what types of customs duties exist.
The United States’ New Customs Duties
The United States has started implementing new customs duties on various countries and product groups. It has been announced by the U.S. that these steps were taken in line with the goals of reducing the trade deficit and promoting domestic production.
Accordingly, customs duties on products imported from China have been gradually increased up to 145%, while a standard customs duty rate of 10% has been applied to all countries starting from April 5 in general tax practices. Additional duties have also been imposed on certain product groups.
The 10% base customs duty applied by the United States to Turkey stands out as a significant change.
U.S. Customs Tariff Table – April 2025
| Country / Region | Applied Customs Duty (%) | Notes |
| All Countries | 10% | A standard duty has been applied to all imports since April 5. |
| China | 145% | The U.S. increased duties on products imported from China to 145%. |
| China (Retaliation) | 125% | China raised duties on U.S. products to 125%. |
| Turkey | 10% | Applied to steel, automotive, electronics, and textile products. |
| Canada | 25% | OtApplied to automotive and heavy industry products. |
| Mexico | 25% | Applies to all import categories. |
| European Union | 20% | The U.S. applies a 20% duty on products from the EU. |
| Japan | 24% | A 24% duty is applied to products from Japan. |
| India | 26% | A 26% duty is applied to products from India. |
| South Korea | 25% | A 25% duty is applied to products from South Korea. |
Product-Based Customs Duties
| Product Group | Applied Customs Duty (%) | Notes |
| Steel Products | 34% | Applied to steel products imported from China. |
| Aluminum Products | 25% | Applied to aluminum products imported from all countries. |
| Automobiles | 10% | Applies to passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs. |
| Electronic Products | 5% – 8% | Applies to smartphones (5%), laptops (7%), televisions (8%). |
| Textiles and Apparel | 12% – 20% | Applies to cotton fabric (12%), wool fabric (15%), clothing items (20%). |
Note: Smartphones, computers, and certain other electronic devices are exempt from “reciprocal” customs duties. The exemption also covers the 125% duties applied to imports from China.
Why Are Customs Duties Collected?
A customs duty is a tax imposed by the government on goods imported (brought in from abroad) or sometimes exported (sold abroad) by a country. Its purposes include both economic and strategic reasons.
As the flow of goods and services between countries continues to increase in a globalizing world, various economic tools are being used to regulate and supervise this trade. One of these tools is the customs duty, which is levied on imported products and plays a significant role in the economic policies of countries. Customs duties are not only a source of revenue for the government, but also serve several key purposes such as protecting domestic production, ensuring trade balance, and supporting strategic sectors. In this context, the justification for imposing customs duties should be evaluated from both economic and political perspectives.
Today, high-rate and targeted customs duties, such as those imposed by the United States, not only carry economic purposes but also send political messages, thereby shaping the global trade order. Therefore, customs duties should be considered not only as economic instruments but also as strategic moves that affect international relations.
U.S. Customs Duty Calculation
CIF Value: 11.200 USD
Duty Rate: 10%
Customs Duty: 11.200 USD x 0.10 = 1.120 USD
*According to the table, a customs duty of 1,120 USD is payable.
Customs duty is generally calculated as a percentage (%) based on the customs value of the product (which includes the product price + freight + insurance and similar costs). You can explore the details of how customs duty is calculated more clearly in our related content.