On September 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced tariff exemptions for certain goods imported from the EU. The notice modified additional duty rates applicable to certain imported products of EU member countries.
On August 21, 2025, the United States and the EU announced an agreement that adjusted tariffs on certain EU products, including automobiles and auto parts, unavailable natural resources such as cork, civil aircraft, and generic pharmaceuticals and their ingredients and chemical precursors. For some of these goods, the revised tariff rate is zero, provided they are properly entered.
The CBP Cargo Messaging Service (CSMS) released guidance offering additional information on tariff exemptions on EU goods. Notably, it provided guidelines for importers to recover tariffs paid on eligible goods imported between August 1 or September 1 (the tariff exemption effective date) and September 24—a period during which the notice was intended to be effective but had not yet been implemented. If the entry has not liquidated, the importer must file a Post Summary Correction (PSC) to request a refund. For liquidated entries, importers may request a refund by filing a protest, 180 days after liquidation.
Tariff exemptions for automobiles and auto parts took effect on August 1. A new subheading 9903.94.50 now applies to passenger vehicles and light trucks with a most-favored nation (MFN) duty rate over 15%, with no reciprocal tariff applicable. Passenger vehicles and light trucks with an MFN rate under 15% are classified under a new subheading 9903.94.51. Importers must pay a flat 15% tariff under this subheading. The same tariff treatment applies to auto parts under new subheadings 9903.94.52 and 9903.94.53.
The notice also adds exemptions from reciprocal tariffs for more than 200 subheadings covering certain EU natural resources under new subheading 9903.02.74, effective September 1. Further, essential oils other than those of citrus fruit used for religious purposes only are classifiable under new subheading 9903.02.75.
EU civil aircraft and aircraft parts are also exempt from tariffs under new subheading 9903.02.76, beginning September 1. In addition, EU pharmaceutical products are exempt under new subheading 9903.02.77 on this date.