If you’re trying to figure out the exact percentage being tacked onto imports from China right now, I have some news: it’s a bit of a moving target.
Honestly, the "how much" part of the question depends entirely on whether you’re buying a cheap plastic toy, a high-tech semiconductor, or a bag of chemicals. For most people, the headline number you’ll hear in 2026 is 10%. That’s the "reciprocal tariff" baseline that stuck after the big trade truce back in November 2025.
But that 10% is just the floor. For a lot of industries, it’s much, much higher.
The Current Numbers: Breaking Down the China Tariff
So, here is the deal as of January 2026. After a wild year of "Liberation Day" tariffs and emergency executive orders, the U.S. and China finally hit a pause button.
Right now, we are in what experts call a "tariff truce."
Basically, the U.S. agreed to keep the general reciprocal tariff at 10% instead of letting it spike to the 25% or 40% rates that were being threatened last spring. This truce is scheduled to last until November 10, 2026. If you are importing "general" goods—think consumer electronics, apparel, or home goods—that 10% is likely what you’re seeing on your customs forms.
However, if you're in a "strategic" sector, you've got it much worse.
The 50% Club: Semiconductors and Tech
If you are dealing with chips, you're looking at a world of pain. Section 301 tariffs on Chinese semiconductors are currently sitting at 50%. This isn't just a Trump-era thing or a Biden-era thing; it's a combined "everyone agrees China shouldn't dominate chips" thing.
Wait, it gets more complicated. On top of that 50%, there's an additional 25% tariff on certain advanced semiconductors used for AI that just went into effect on January 15, 2026.
Do the math? It’s brutal.
The Fentanyl Factor
You might’ve heard about the "Fentanyl Tariff." Last year, there was a massive 20% surcharge on almost everything from China to pressure them into stopping precursor chemical shipments.
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As part of the deal struck on November 1, 2025, that rate was slashed. It dropped from 20% down to 10%. This 10% "fentanyl-related" rate is what most people are actually referring to when they talk about the current baseline.
Why the Number Isn't Always What It Seems
The thing about tariffs is that the "sticker price" is rarely the final price.
Exclusions are the secret sauce here. Even though the "official" China tariff might be 25% for a specific category of machinery, there are thousands of specific products that have exclusions.
As of this morning, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has extended a huge batch of these exclusions through November 10, 2026. If your specific product (down to the HTS code) is on that list, you pay $0 in additional duties. If it isn't? You pay the full freight.
You've gotta check the Harmonized Tariff Schedule constantly. It changes faster than a weather report in April.
Who Actually Pays?
There’s a common misconception that China "pays" these tariffs.
Nope.
When a shipping container arrives at a port like Long Beach or Savannah, the American importer of record—the company bringing the stuff in—writes the check to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
To keep their doors open, those companies do one of three things:
- Eat the cost and take lower profits (kinda rare).
- Find a new factory in Vietnam or Mexico (harder than it looks).
- Raise prices for you and me (the most common path).
Real-World Examples of the "Hidden" Costs
Let's look at a few specific items to see how these layers stack up:
- Steel and Aluminum: You’re looking at a baseline of 25%. This is under Section 232 (National Security). It doesn’t matter if it’s from China or anywhere else, though China gets hit with "anti-dumping" duties on top of that which can send the total rate over 100%.
- Electric Vehicles (EVs): This is the big one. The tariff on Chinese EVs is effectively 100%. The U.S. basically doesn't want them on the road here, period.
- Solar Cells: These are currently taxed at 50%.
It’s a patchwork quilt of numbers. If you’re a small business owner trying to source parts, you can’t just say "the tariff is 10%." You have to look at the specific 8-digit HTS code for every single screw and bracket.
What’s Coming in Late 2026?
The current calm is temporary.
The "Trade Arrangement" that President Trump negotiated last fall has a hard expiration date: November 10, 2026.
If China doesn't follow through on its promise to buy 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans or if the fentanyl precursor flow doesn't stop, the "heightened reciprocal tariffs" are scheduled to snap back. We could be looking at a jump from 10% back to 25% or higher overnight.
Also, keep an eye on June 23, 2027. The USTR has already signaled another potential rate hike for semiconductors on that date. They’re basically giving companies eighteen months to move their supply chains out of China before the hammer drops again.
How to Protect Your Business Right Now
If you're an importer, don't just sit there.
First, verify your HTS codes. I’ve seen companies overpay by 15% for years just because they used the wrong classification. A good customs broker is worth their weight in gold right now.
Second, check for exclusions. The November 2026 extension covers a lot of ground. If your product was previously excluded, it probably still is, but you need the paperwork to prove it.
Third, diversify. "China Plus One" is no longer just a buzzword; it's a survival strategy. Even with the 10% truce, the volatility is too high to have 100% of your manufacturing in one country.
The era of cheap, friction-less trade with China is over. Whether the rate is 10% or 50%, the "tax" on doing business there is now a permanent line item in your budget.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download the latest Annex C from the USTR website to see if your specific products are included in the November 2026 exclusion extension.
- Audit your last three months of customs entries. Compare the HTS codes used with the current Section 301 and IEEPA rate schedules to ensure you aren't overpaying.
- Model a "Snapback Scenario." Run your numbers for 2027 assuming the 10% reciprocal tariff jumps to 25%—if your margins can't survive that, start vetting suppliers in Mexico or Thailand today.