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HTSLookup

Section 232 tariffs on unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and parts

Drone tariff (Section 232)

In effectSince Sep 3, 2026

What it is

From Sep 3, 2026, drones pay a Section 232 tariff on top of the base rate: 100% for drones over 25 kg maximum take-off weight, drones with thermal imaging, drone docking stations and their parts, and parts for drones over 25 kg (9903.08.21); 25% for other drones of 25 kg or less (9903.08.22). From Feb 9, 2027, other drone parts pay 25%. Lower rates for the United Kingdom (10%) and for Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the EU (15% in total) need a certification process that CBP isn't accepting yet. Drones over 25 kg (8806.24.00, 8806.29.00, 8806.94.00, 8806.99.00) always pay; for smaller drones the rate depends on thermal imaging, and parts and docking-station items pay only when they're for drones, so pages quote the legal condition for those.

Legal authority: Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended; Proclamation 11055 of Aug 13, 2026. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 lets the President adjust imports of goods that the Commerce Department finds threaten to impair national security, including by adding duties.

It reaches 16 listed tariff codes or code groups (a listed heading or subheading covers every code under it).

Check a product

Rates

"+" rates are added on top of the regular duty. Chapter 99 headings are the numbers filed on the entry along with the product's own code.

  • +100%Since Sep 3, 2026
    Origin
    All countries
    Products
    Products under 8806.24.00, 8806.29.00, 8806.94.00, 8806.99.00 (4 codes listed)
    Heading
    9903.08.21
  • +100%Since Sep 3, 2026
    Only for this use: Unmanned aircraft, docking stations for unmanned aircraft or parts for such docking stations
    Origin
    All countries
    Products
    Products under 8504.40.9580, 8537.10.9170 (2 codes listed)
    Heading
    9903.08.21
  • +100%Since Sep 3, 2026
    Only for this use: Parts or components for use in or with an unmanned aircraft system with a maximum take-off weight of more than 25 kg, except those for systems for retail delivery use, agricultural use, or sale to the Department of War
    Origin
    All countries
    Products
    Products listed in U.S. note 43(c)(2) to chapter 99, subchapter III (4 codes listed)
    Heading
    9903.08.21
  • +100%Since Sep 3, 2026
    Only for goods that match: Unmanned aircraft with thermal imaging
    Origin
    All countries
    Products
    Products listed in U.S. note 43(c)(3) to chapter 99, subchapter III (6 codes listed)
    Heading
    9903.08.21
  • +25%Since Sep 3, 2026
    Only for goods that match: Unmanned aircraft without thermal imaging
    Origin
    All countries
    Products
    Products listed in U.S. note 43(c)(4) to chapter 99, subchapter III (6 codes listed)
    Heading
    9903.08.22

How it combines with other duties

Charged on top of the base rate and any other duties (Proclamation 11055, clause (3)). Goods eligible for trade-agreement or preference rates pay it on top of the special rate; goods entered under chapter 98 stay subject to it under that provision's terms; antidumping and countervailing duties still apply (note 43(b)). The forced-labor tariff's exemption for goods under other programs (note 52(f)) doesn't list the drone headings, so both apply. Neither the proclamation nor note 43 says how it combines with other Section 232 tariffs.

Exemptions

Where an exemption turns on a legal condition, the condition is quoted exactly as the law states it.

Exempt when claimed under a trade agreement (2)

  • Imported for companies subject to an onshoring plan approved by the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of War (9903.08.25)Codes listed in U.S. note 43(c) to chapter 99, subchapter IIILegal text: Unmanned aircraft, their parts and components, as provided for in subdivision (c) of U.S. note 43, imported for companies subject to an onshoring plan approved by the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of War9903.08.25 · Sep 3, 2026 to Feb 8, 2027
  • Listed products of companies on the Blue UAS or FCC Conditional Approval lists on Sep 2, 2026: duties start Feb 9, 2027 (clause (7))Codes listed in U.S. note 43(c) to chapter 99, subchapter IIILegal text: For companies on the DoW's Blue UAS Cleared List, the Blue UAS Framework, or the FCC's Conditional Approval List on September 2, 2026, the effective date referenced in clause (1) of this proclamation shall be 180 days from the date of this proclamation, with respect to the Covered Products that are included on the FCC's Conditional Approval list, as well as their components, and products that are included on the DoW's Blue UAS Cleared List, as well as their components. The Secretary shall inform CBP of the companies and products that meet or will meet the criteria in this clause.Sep 3, 2026 to Feb 8, 2027

What changed

Sources

  1. Proclamation 11055 of Aug 13, 2026, Adjusting Imports of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Components Into the United States, 91 FR 53699, Aug 19, 2026
  2. CBP CSMS # 69738151, GUIDANCE: Section 232 Duties on Imports of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Components, Sep 2, 2026
  3. HTS 2026 Revision 20, chapter 99, subchapter III, U.S. note 43
  4. HTS 2026 Revision 20, headings 9903.08.20 to 9903.08.26
  5. HTS 2026 Revision 20, chapter 99, subchapter III, U.S. note 52

Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026. Rates shown are what CBP collects; antidumping and countervailing duties are separate.

All Section 232 tariffs