The Trump administration has announced that crucial technology imports, including categories covering smartphones and computers, are now excluded from recently imposed reciprocal tariffs. This could prevent a significant potential price increase on popular Apple products like the iPhone and Mac that was speculated to result from these new duties.
The updated guidance, stemming from an April 11 Presidential Memorandum, applies retroactively to goods imported on or after April 5, 2025. It specifies exemptions to Executive Order 14257 and its amendments, which had established steep new reciprocal tariffs— reaching a combined 145% on certain goods from China and a baseline 10% on imports from most other countries.
According to the CBP bulletin, products under specific Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) codes "will be excluded from the reciprocal tariffs... effective for merchandise entered for consumption... on or after 12:01AM Eastern Daylight Time on April 5, 2025." For Apple, this is significant, as many of its core products fall under these now exempt categories.
Key HTSUS headings and subheadings listed in the exclusion cover:
● 8471: Automatic data processing machines (like Macs).
● 8473.30: Parts for those machines.
● 8517.13.00: Smartphones (covering iPhones).
● 8517.62.00: Networking equipment.
● 8523.51.00: Solid-state drives (SSDs).
● 8524: Flat panel displays.
● 8528.52.00: Computer monitors.
● 8541 and 8542: Semiconductors, processors, and memory chips vital to nearly all Apple devices.
Without this exclusion, imports of these finished goods and components, particularly those assembled or sourced from China, could have faced the full brunt of the new 125% reciprocal tariff, potentially on top of other existing duties (20% for China). The exemption means these specific tech products avoid that drastic increase, instead remaining subject only to any previously applicable tariff rates.
Importers bringing in goods under these HTSUS codes must now "report the secondary classification under heading 9903.01.32 to declare the exception." For goods already imported since April 5 under the now-excluded tariffs, the CBP advises filers to correct entries promptly, potentially allowing for refunds via Post Summary Corrections or protests.
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The updated guidance, stemming from an April 11 Presidential Memorandum, applies retroactively to goods imported on or after April 5, 2025. It specifies exemptions to Executive Order 14257 and its amendments, which had established steep new reciprocal tariffs— reaching a combined 145% on certain goods from China and a baseline 10% on imports from most other countries.
According to the CBP bulletin, products under specific Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) codes "will be excluded from the reciprocal tariffs... effective for merchandise entered for consumption... on or after 12:01AM Eastern Daylight Time on April 5, 2025." For Apple, this is significant, as many of its core products fall under these now exempt categories.
Key HTSUS headings and subheadings listed in the exclusion cover:
● 8471: Automatic data processing machines (like Macs).
● 8473.30: Parts for those machines.
● 8517.13.00: Smartphones (covering iPhones).
● 8517.62.00: Networking equipment.
● 8523.51.00: Solid-state drives (SSDs).
● 8524: Flat panel displays.
● 8528.52.00: Computer monitors.
● 8541 and 8542: Semiconductors, processors, and memory chips vital to nearly all Apple devices.
Without this exclusion, imports of these finished goods and components, particularly those assembled or sourced from China, could have faced the full brunt of the new 125% reciprocal tariff, potentially on top of other existing duties (20% for China). The exemption means these specific tech products avoid that drastic increase, instead remaining subject only to any previously applicable tariff rates.
Importers bringing in goods under these HTSUS codes must now "report the secondary classification under heading 9903.01.32 to declare the exception." For goods already imported since April 5 under the now-excluded tariffs, the CBP advises filers to correct entries promptly, potentially allowing for refunds via Post Summary Corrections or protests.
Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more updates.