CSMS 65649652·Trade policy·July 16, 2025·View on csms.cbp.gov ↗

GUIDANCE: Applying Section 232 Import Duties on USMCA

Plain-English explanation

CSMS 65649652 is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Cargo Systems Messaging Service bulletin (trade policy), published on July 16, 2025. It carries the official CBP guidance brokers and importers must follow for the topic — "GUIDANCE: Applying Section 232 Import Duties on USMCA". CSMS messages are the operational layer between Commerce determinations and at-the-border collections: when Commerce publishes a new rate, scope ruling, or instruction, CBP turns it into a CSMS that ACE/ACS systems and brokers act on.

Message body

Full text as published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CSMS # 65649652 - GUIDANCE: Applying Section 232 Import Duties on USMCA-Qualifying Passenger Vehicles and Light Trucks U.S. Customs and Border Protection sent this bulletin at 07/16/2025 09:45 AM EDT Cargo Systems Messaging Service CSMS # 65649652 - GUIDANCE: Applying Section 232 Import Duties on USMCA-Qualifying Passenger Vehicles and Light Trucks The purpose of this message is to provide guidance on applying the 25 percent Section 232 duty imposed by Proclamation 10908 exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content for approved imports of passenger vehicles and light trucks qualifying for preferential tariff treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). BACKGROUND On April 3, 2025, Presidential Proclamation 10908 authorized the Secretary of Commerce to approve imports of passenger vehicles and light trucks qualifying for preferential tariff treatment under USMCA to be eligible to apply the ad valorem tariff of 25 percent exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content of the automobile. See 90 FR 14705 . On May 20, 2025, the Commerce Department issued “Procedures for Submissions by Importers of Automobiles Qualifying for Preferential Tariff Treatment Under the USMCA To Determine U.S. Content.” See 90 FR 21450 . ENTRY FILING INSTRUCTIONS This guidance provides instructions for importers, brokers, and filers on submitting entries to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of passenger vehicles and light trucks that have received approval from the Secretary of Commerce to apply the Section 232 tariff imposed by Proclamation 10908 exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content, as provided for in headings 9903.94.02 and 9903.94.03 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). See 90 FR 14705 . The 25 percent tariff will apply exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content with respect to certain USMCA-qualifying goods that were entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on April 3, 2025. 9903.94.03: Applies to the non-U.S. content of passenger vehicles and light trucks eligible for special tariff treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), upon approval from the Secretary of Commerce to apply the 25% ad valorem rates of duty exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content of the automobile. 25% additional ad valorem rate of duty 9903.94.02: Applies to imports classified under the Chapter 87 HTSUS to U.S. note 33(b) to Subchapter III to Chapter 99 provisions subject to Section 232 duties, 1) that are not passenger vehicles and light trucks; or 2) the U.S. content of passenger vehicles and light trucks that have received approval from the Secretary of Commerce as noted under HTSUS 9903.94.03. 0% additional ad valorem rate of duty Reporting Instructions for Applying the Special Tariff Treatment Approved by the Commerce Department Importers that receive approval from the Secretary of Commerce should follow the instructions below on how to apply the 25 percent ad valorem duty exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content. The non-U.S. content and the U.S. content value of the passenger vehicle and light truck must be reported on two lines. The first line will represent the value of the non-U.S. content while the second line will represent the value of the U.S. content. Each line should be reported in accordance with the instructions below. Non-U.S. content, first line: Report the total quantity of the imported goods Report the value of the non-U.S. content approved by the Commerce Department for entered value Report the Section 232 duties based on the value of the non-U.S. content with HTSUS 9903.94.03. Report Special Program Indicator (SPI) code “S” Report Ch. 1-97 HTSUS, same HTSUS must be reported on both lines. Report country of origin, same country of origin must be reported on both lines. Report all other applicable duties, such as antidumping and countervailing duties U.S. content, second line: Report 0 for quantity. Report the entered value of the U.S. content by subtracting the value of the non-U.S. content from the entered value of the article. Report the 0 duties based on the value of U.S. content with HTSUS 9903.94.02. Report Special Program Indicator (SPI) code “S” Report the same Ch. 1-97 HTSUS reported on the first line. Report the same country of origin reported on the first line. Report all other applicable duties, such as antidumping and countervailing duties. Questions from the importing community concerning ACE entry rejections involving automobile filings should be referred to their CBP Client Representative. For questions regarding our trade Remedy programs, please visit our cbp.gov webpage at https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/trade-remedies or contact the Trade Remedy Branch at TradeRemedy@cbp.dhs.gov . If you encounter any errors in filing an entry summary, contact your CBP client representative or the ACE Help Desk. Related messages: CSMS # 64348288 and CSMS # 64384496 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page . You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com . This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Customs and Border Protection . Privacy Policy | GovDelivery is providing this information on behalf of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and may not use the information for any other purposes. Powered by Privacy Policy | Cookie Statement | Help

Frequently asked questions

What is CSMS 65649652?

CSMS 65649652 is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Cargo Systems Messaging Service bulletin titled "GUIDANCE: Applying Section 232 Import Duties on USMCA". CSMS bulletins are the operational instructions CBP issues to brokers, importers, and ACE filers covering rate changes, system updates, scope guidance, and other day-to-day customs-operations changes.

When was CSMS 65649652 published?

CBP published CSMS 65649652 on July 16, 2025. The bulletin's instructions are typically operative as of the publication date unless the body specifies a different effective date.

Is the CBP CSMS the legally binding instruction?

Yes — for at-the-border filing and entry collection. CSMS messages translate Commerce's Federal Register determinations into operational CBP instructions that ACE/ACS systems and brokers execute. The Federal Register notice is the underlying legal authority; the CSMS is the operational implementation. Both should be read together when reconciling a rate or scope change.

Learn more

Tandom guides relevant to CBP CSMS messages

Subscribe to and triage CBP CSMS messages

How to subscribe to CBP Cargo Systems Messaging Service and triage the messages that change broker filing behavior, without losing the ones that matter.

Open resource

Real-time alerts when a CSMS message changes a duty rate

Set up alerts when a CBP CSMS message changes a duty rate on an HTS code you depend on. Built for brokers, forwarders, and importer compliance teams.