New U.S. tariffs on many drone imports; onshoring relief for new factories

What this does

• Imposes new tariffs on imported unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and many UAS parts to address national-security risks.

By the numbers and timeline

• 100% ad valorem duty on: UAS with maximum take-off weight > 25 kg; UAS that integrate thermal imagers; UAS docking stations; and specific critical components listed in Annex I. Effective for goods entered on or after 12:01 a.m. ET on Sept 3, 2026.
• 25% ad valorem duty on: UAS with maximum take-off weight of 25 kg or less (Annex II) and certain UAS components listed in Annex III. Component duties in Annex III take effect 12:01 a.m. ET on Feb 9, 2027.

Who this affects

• Importers, manufacturers, distributors, and users of commercial and industrial drones, docking stations, and covered parts.
• Industries that rely on UAS for agriculture, emergency response, mapping, infrastructure monitoring, and defense-related uses.

Country exceptions and certification

• Products of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, or an EU member may face no more than a 15% duty; products of the United Kingdom may face no more than a 10% duty, but only if "substantially all" critical components and technology are certified to originate in those listed countries or the U.S. Commerce will set a certification process and inform CBP.

Onshoring program (tariff relief for new U.S. plants)

• Commerce will accept onshoring plans from companies that commit to build or expand U.S. facilities producing covered products, with construction required to begin before Jan 20, 2029.
• If approved, companies may import necessary covered inputs and production equipment in volumes commensurate with the plant’s anticipated annual output without paying the Section 232 duties during construction.
• Approved plans will be monitored; Commerce can rescind benefits for noncompliance and may require audits.

Other important details

• Commerce can add additional UAS components to the tariff list on a rolling basis and may change HTSUS entries through Federal Register notices.
• The Secretary must provide an update to the President within 120 days and will continue monitoring imports and national-security risk.
• Rules limit manufacturing drawback claims for some covered products and require foreign-trade-zone entries subject to applicable duties.

Sources: Proclamation and Annexes (effective dates and HTSUS headings appear in Annex IV, Annex I–III).