Over the weekend, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the extension of exclusions in the Section 301 Tariffs. The exclusions that were previously scheduled to expire on May 31 have been extended to August 31, 2025.
For PCBs, the exemption pertains, as it did before,Β onlyΒ to 2 and 4-layer rigidΒ boards made of epoxy glass. The tariff will continue to apply to single-sided and higher layer counts, flex, and other substrates such as aluminum or ceramic.
Currently, the IEEPA (20%) and reciprocal tariffs(10%) levied against China remain in effect. So 2 and 4-layer rigid PCBs are subject to 30% in tariffs, while all other PCB technologies face a total duty charge of 55%.
View the Federal Register notice.
Both domestic and offshore manufacturers are feeling the adverse effects of todayβs supply chain challenges.
Increases in raw materials and freight have added to overall board pricing, regardless of country of origin. Despite the tariffs, many PCB buyers continue to rely on China for their boardsβbecause they must.
While many American companies manufacture 2 and 4-layer rigid PCBs, itβs simply not enough to meet demand. And even if the 25% tariff exemption goes away, buyers will continue to buy these boards from China because of pricing, quality, and capacity concerns.
Want to know more about tariffs and PCB purchasing, or how to be a better board buyer all around? Reach out to me at greg@directpcb.com or connect with me onΒ LinkedIn.