U.S. Customs extends tariff relief for ‘goods on the water’ to June 16

June 03, 2025

Category: General

Country: United States

By Spencer Musick -Senior Editor
2nd June, 2025.

Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has extended its “goods on the water” tariff exception through June 16, offering importers temporary relief from the reciprocal tariffs imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

The extension, outlined in CBP’s Cargo Systems Messaging Service, updates the prior cut-off date of May 27. It allows goods that were already in transit — loaded onto a vessel before April 5, April 9, or April 10 (depending on product category) — to qualify for a reduced tariff rate of, provided they are entered for consumption before 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 16. These goods will be “subject to the 10% additional rate in lieu of the country-specific rate of duty,” according to the agency.

CBP noted the extension reflects a more realistic assessment of shipping timelines and aims to prevent importers from misusing the exception beyond a reasonable transit window. “Upon further consideration, CBP is updating this guidance,” the agency said in the notice.

The temporary measure remains in effect while a federal court’s stay on the U.S. Court of International Trade’s earlier ruling is in place. That ruling had initially blocked large portions of President Trump’s tariffs under IEEPA but was reversed Thursday by a federal appeals court, reinstating the levies pending appeal.

The agency says it will issue further updated guidance as needed.

Courtesy: hfd.bridgetowermedia.com