White House Extends Pause on Country-Specific Tariffs Until August 1—China Extended Until August 12
On July 7, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Extending the Modification of the Reciprocal Tariff Rates”, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has now released guidance on its implementation. This action formally extends the temporary pause on heightened, country-specific tariff rates until August 1, 2025, with one major exception: China (including Hong Kong and Macau).
What you need to know
This means that importers bringing in products from most countries will continue to face a 10% ad valorem additional duty under heading 9903.01.25 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS). Country-specific “bespoke” tariff rates will remain suspended during this extended period.
CBP has confirmed that imported goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or before 12:01 a.m. EDT on August 1, 2025, will remain subject to the general 10% duty—not the higher, individualized country rates that had previously been announced.
However, a different timeline applies to products of China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The suspension of their bespoke country-specific rates remains in place until August 12, 2025, but these products remain subject to the 10% ad valorem duty under HTSUS heading 9903.01.25. Importers of Chinese-origin goods should also be aware that exemptions may be available under headings 9903.01.30 through 9903.01.33, with certain carve-outs under heading 9903.01.34.
Business impacts
This extension gives U.S. businesses a few more weeks of predictability in managing costs for goods sourced globally. For now, importers may continue relying on the flat 10% tariff for most countries rather than preparing for individualized rates. Still, the August 1 and August 12 deadlines are fast approaching, and businesses should start preparing now for the possibility that the full country-specific rate structure will take effect next month.
Importers should:
- Review HTS classifications and determine whether goods may be eligible for exemptions.
- Recalculate landed costs and update supply chain models with potential post-August rates in mind.
- Monitor for any additional guidance or final implementation rules from CBP.
Our team is continuing to monitor developments and is available to assist clients with tariff classification reviews, country-of-origin analysis, and exemption eligibility. If your business is affected by the evolving tariff landscape, please contact us to discuss tailored compliance strategies ahead of the upcoming deadlines.
As new tariff regulations continue to evolve, navigating these changes requires experienced legal counsel. At Liang + Mooney, PLLC, our seasoned tariff lawyers can answer your questions and concerns with sophisticated legal solutions. If you seek strategic counsel and insight into how these changes could affect your operations, we invite you to contact us to schedule a consultation.