WHAT’S THE LATEST

On June 28, 2025, new reporting requirements for aluminum imports with unknown countries of smelt and/or cast will go into effect, as outlined in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Cargo Systems Messaging Service # 65340246, issued on June 13.

WHAT WE KNOW

For imports of aluminum or aluminum derivatives subject to Section 232 measures, if the country of smelt and/or cast is unknown, importers must report “unknown” in place of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) code.
 
In these cases, importers are also required to report HTS 9903.85.67 or 9903.85.68, as applicable. These entries will be subject to 200% Section 232 duties, equivalent to aluminum originating from Russia.

WHAT'S NEXT?

To ensure compliance with the updated requirements, SEKO recommends importers take the following actions:

  • Ensure full supply chain visibility for aluminum products to accurately declare the country of smelt and/or cast.
  • Provide supporting documentation if requested by CBP.

Scenario-Based Reporting Guidance:

  • If documentation reflects country of smelt and cast is known, SEKO will report it at time of entry. 
  • If documentation reflects the smelt and/or cast occurred in the U.S., SEKO will apply the appropriate domestic aluminum exclusion. 
  • If documentation reflects the product containing 0% aluminum, SEKO will enter “N/A” for the primary smelt country and list the country of origin as secondary, per CBP FAQs. 
  • If the country of smelt and/or cast is unknown:
    • SEKO will contact the importer to explain CBP’s new guidance and encourage further inquiry. 
    • If origin still cannot be confirmed, SEKO must declare to unknown, triggering the 200% tariff.

Using HTS classification databases and maintaining up-to-date documentation is essential in today’s evolving trade landscape. Importers exploring strategies to mitigate tariffs should coordinate closely with their Customs Broker to ensure accurate, compliant documentation.

If you have questions, please reach out to your SEKO representative, or email us at hello@sekologistics.com.