Section 232 duties on drones: what importers pay from September 3, 2026

What changed on September 3, 2026?

On August 13, 2026, the President signed Proclamation 11055 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (91 FR 53699). It adds duties on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their parts and components.

The duties apply to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from a warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on September 3, 2026. They apply to goods from all countries.

Entries of the covered HTS numbers in chapters 85 and 88 must now report a Chapter 99 heading from 9903.08.20 to 9903.08.26 (CSMS #69738151). The duty is added to the normal duty of the HTS number. Most drones in heading 8806 have a normal duty of zero.

Which drones and parts pay which rate?

U.S. note 43 to chapter 99 lists the goods in four groups. The group decides the rate for goods from most countries:

The weight is the maximum take-off weight. It also decides the HTS number: 8806.21 and 8806.91 are for drones of 250 g or less, 8806.22 and 8806.92 for more than 250 g up to 7 kg, and 8806.23 and 8806.93 for more than 7 kg up to 25 kg.

Some of the listed HTS numbers also cover goods that are not for drones, for example power supplies and control panels. When they are not for use with a drone system, they report heading 9903.08.20 and pay no additional duty. Keep records of the end use with the entry.

Do some countries pay a lower rate?

Yes, but only when substantially all the critical components and technology come from the United States or the partner countries. The importer must certify this, and the Department of Commerce sets the process to confirm it.

• Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the member states of the European Union: heading 9903.08.24. The normal duty and the Section 232 duty together total 15%.
• United Kingdom: heading 9903.08.23, an additional 10%. CBP says not to report this heading until it gives further guidance.

A free trade agreement does not remove the duty. Note 43(b) says that the Section 232 duty is collected in addition to any special rate under a trade agreement or preference program.

What changes on February 9, 2027?

From 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 9, 2027, a 25% duty applies to other parts and components for drone systems. These are the parts that the September 2026 list does not cover. They will report heading 9903.08.22.

The same date matters for some manufacturers. For companies on the Department of War's Blue UAS Cleared List or Blue UAS Framework, or on the FCC's Conditional Approval List on September 2, 2026, the proclamation delays the duties for their listed products to 180 days after August 13, 2026.

The Secretary of Commerce can add more drone components to the duties by notice in the Federal Register.

Is there any way to reduce the duty?

• Onshoring plans. Companies that build drone production in the United States can apply for an approved onshoring plan. Imports under an approved plan report heading 9903.08.25 or 9903.08.26 with no additional duty. Heading 9903.08.25 expires on February 9, 2027.
• Drawback. Only manufacturing drawback is available, and only for goods from the listed trade partners with at least 85% partner content. The goods must not be subject to an antidumping or countervailing duty order.
• Correct classification. The rate depends on the weight class, on thermal imaging and on the end use of parts. A wrong HTS number or the wrong Chapter 99 heading can cost 75% of the value.

Other duties still apply. The proclamation keeps antidumping, countervailing and other duties on the same goods.

What should drone importers check now?

1. The maximum take-off weight of each model, from the manufacturer's specification sheet.
2. If the drone has thermal imaging. A thermal camera moves a small drone from 25% to 100%.
3. For parts: the drone system that they are for, its take-off weight and its use.
4. The country of origin, and if a lower country rate can apply to your goods.
5. Your entries since September 3, 2026. If an entry has the wrong Chapter 99 heading, correct it before liquidation.

How can Allied help?

Allied is a licensed U.S. customs broker (CBP filer code 9AJ). We classify drones and drone parts, report the right Chapter 99 heading and calculate the landed cost before you order.

If you entered drones since September 3 with another broker, we can review the entries and file corrections.