A bulletin issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) providing additional guidance on U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs has revealed importers have until 27 May to bring goods onshore to avoid additional fees – and that U.S.-origin seafood will be given a break on tariffed value when re-imported.
Trump issued sweeping tariffs hitting virtually every country on 2 April – a move that will affect billions of dollars of seafood imports. The U.S. imports far more seafood than it produces; according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the country imported USD 25.3 billion (EUR 23.1 billion) worth of seafood products in 2023, resulting in a trade deficit of USD 20.3 billion (EUR 18.6 billion).
The initial round of tariffs will impact any goods that left warehouses for consumption after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time (EDT) on 5 April. The first set of tariffs applies an additional 10 percent ad valorem rate to all imported goods other than those that fall within a limited set of exceptions – including for goods from Canadas and Mexico.
According to CBP, goods withdrawn before the 5 April deadline will also need to enter the U.S. before 12:01 a.m. EDT on 27 May. CBP said the date is “to prevent importers from abusing the exception for goods that were in transit before April 5, 2025 when it is no longer realistic due to the passage of time.”
The CBP also said for any good which has at least 20 percent of its value as U.S. originating, the U.S. content will not be subject to the “reciprocal” tariff. However, any non-U.S. content will still be subject to the 10 percent tariff rate.
SeafoodSource requested clarification from CBP on whether this exemption would apply to U.S.-caught seafood, and how it would calculate those exemptions, but has not received a response.
Seafood importers are also seeking clarification on that point. Arctic Fisheries President Michael Kotok told SeafoodSource that based on the memo alone, it seems like seafood sent overseas for secondary processing would partially avoid the tariffs.
Kotok said his customs broker determined that for fish caught in U.S. waters, the reciprocal tariffs will not be applied to the value for the fish – only the value of the shipment that is not a part of the original value. So for a USD 10,000 (EUR 9,140) invoice, if the fish was valued at USD 7,000 (EUR 6,400), the tariff would only apply to the remaining USD 3,000 (EUR 2,740).
Kotok said determining the value may end up being complicated – and said he’s worried things could always change suddenly.
“This is a shitshow, and it’s a moving target,” Kotok said. “What they determine today, could be changed tomorrow. I don’t even know if Customs can keep up with it.”
CBP said it will give further guidance on the next set of higher tariffs on 9 April.
