The current 10% global temporary import surcharge of the US is scheduled to expire on July 24, 2026. If the policy terminates as planned, the overall US import tariff level may decline. Nevertheless, with ongoing Section 301 tariff investigations advancing, targeted additional tariffs may be imposed on certain industries. Cross-border sellers shall keep track of subsequent policy adjustments.

Expiry of Temporary Tariffs May Cut Import Costs

Pursuant to relevant US laws, the 10% global temporary import surcharge implemented since February 2026 will officially expire at midnight Eastern Time on July 24, 2026.

Industry calculations show that if the surcharge is lifted as scheduled, the overall effective comprehensive US import tariff rate is expected to drop from the current roughly 13% to around 7.2%. For cross-border e-commerce enterprises, such changes may reduce customs clearance costs for goods entering the US market.

In H1 2026, this 10% temporary surcharge covered multiple product categories, including daily consumer goods, electronic accessories, home supplies, apparel, footwear, outdoor toys and other mainstream cross-border e-commerce items. Many sellers stated that rising tariffs, coupled with higher logistics costs and platform operation fees, have exerted notable pressure on profit margins.

A cross-border seller with long-term operations in the US market said that after the new tariff measures took effect early this year, profit margins of some products shrank significantly. Enterprises had to downsize overseas warehouse inventory, adjust sea freight schedules, and delist low-margin products.

New Section 301 Investigations May Bring Fresh Tariff Pressures

However, industry insiders point out that the expiry of temporary tariffs does not mean a full relaxation of US import policies. According to documents released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the US has launched multiple Section 301 investigations previously, and some related measures may be announced around the expiration date of the temporary surcharge.

Among them, the Section 301 tariff proposal concerning supply chain compliance has drawn wide market attention. The proposal plans to set differentiated tax rates based on economies, imposing extra tariffs on export-oriented manufacturing economies.

Public information indicates that manufacturing-heavy export economies including Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong China, Vietnam and India may face higher tax rates, while relatively lower rates apply to regions such as the EU, the UK and Canada.

If the new Section 301 measures take effect and stack with existing Section 301 additional tariffs already in place, the comprehensive tax burden on some Chinese cross-border goods may exceed the current temporary surcharge level, eroding the expected cost savings for enterprises.

Manufacturing Categories Face Policy Uncertainties

Beyond supply chain-related probes, another round of Section 301 investigations launched by the US targeting global manufacturing capacity has also attracted attention. Key cross-border trade products including electronic accessories, hardware, outdoor furniture and textile home goods are all subject to review.

Industry analysts believe US tariff policies are shifting from blanket adjustments to targeted measures for specific industries, supply chains and trade partners. For cross-border enterprises reliant on a single market, policy shifts may further reshape procurement, pricing and inventory management strategies.

Cross-border Sellers Shall Adjust Business Strategies In Advance

In light of the upcoming tariff policy changes, industry practitioners advise cross-border sellers to prearrange supply chain and operational plans.

Enterprises may rationally schedule shipment timelines after late July in response to policy shifts and avoid bulk stocking. Meanwhile, they shall recheck HTS customs codes for their product lines to accurately calculate comprehensive costs under different tariff scenarios.

In addition, complete supply chain documentation and retain procurement & certificate of origin files to mitigate risks of intensified customs audits. Many companies have also begun expanding markets in Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia and other regions to reduce operational risks stemming from policy fluctuations in the single US market.

Industry insiders note the tariff adjustments around July 24 mark a critical inflection point for US trade policies, with final impacts subject to subsequent policy rollout. Cross-border firms shall closely monitor relevant updates and tweak operational strategies accordingly.