Tariff Changes in September 2026: A Manufacturer’s Checklist

By /

If September felt like a month of trade headlines, it was. Several separate moves touched the cost of goods for US manufacturers: a wider tariff fight with Canada, a short extension of the US-China truce, a proposal for lower tariffs on some China trade, and a steady flow of IEEPA tariff refunds. At the same time, purchasing managers reported input prices rising at the fastest pace since May.

This note sums up what happened, what is still open, and what a small or mid-size manufacturer can do this quarter. It is a planning guide, not legal or customs advice. For specific entries, work with a licensed customs broker or trade attorney.

What changed in September

Canada: wider 50% tariffs and import bans

On September 8 the US issued five proclamations against Canada, Supply Chain Dive reported. From September 15 the list of goods facing the 50% Section 338 tariff grew. Products now covered include specialty paper, some steel and aluminum items, metal fittings, welding inputs, furniture and lamps. From September 29, certain Canadian alcohol, dairy-related products and large motorcycles were banned outright.

Two details matter for buyers. First, the White House fact sheet says the tariffs apply whether or not goods qualify for USMCA treatment, and they stack on top of existing Section 232 duties. Second, Canada’s matching counter-tariffs took effect the same day, aimed at US steel, appliances, agricultural equipment, electronics, and pulp and paper. The ICPA USMCA tracker notes that CBP’s guidance for the September 29 bans sets out no exception for USMCA-qualifying goods.

China: truce extended, details still pending

The US and China agreed to extend their trade truce, which was due to expire in November, by two months, according to Supply Chain Dive. A new US-China Board of Trade also recommended lower tariffs on non-sensitive goods covering roughly $30 billion of imports each way. The White House did not say how large the cuts would be or when they would start.

Here is the catch. FreightFigures points out that 178 Section 301 product exclusions and the suspension of port fees on China-linked vessels each expire on November 9 under their own Federal Register notices. A verbal truce extension does not move those dates. Only new USTR notices do.

Shippers are pushing on the port fees. A group including the National Retail Federation asked USTR to extend the pause, Supply Chain Dive reported. The fees, first announced last year, ranged from $18 per net ton to $120 per container.

IEEPA refunds: real money, but modest for most

After the Supreme Court invalidated many tariffs in February and a court ordered refunds, the Atlanta Fed asked more than 1,100 executives about the process. In its September 21 write-up, roughly a quarter believed their firm was eligible. Refunds averaged 1.7% of annual revenue. About 70% planned to keep at least some as cash, more than half planned some R&D or capital spending, and 17.2% planned customer rebates.

Why this matters on the shop floor

The Institute for Supply Management’s September survey shows the cost side of the story. The Prices Index jumped to 77.9 from 71.1 in August, and supplier deliveries slowed for the tenth straight month, Manufacturing Dive reported. Among negative comments, 34% mentioned tariffs and 21% mentioned longer lead times. One machinery respondent said Canada tariffs had left their supply chain team “scrambling.”

The practical problem is layering. The cost of one imported part can now include Section 232, Section 301 and Section 338 duties plus freight and fuel, each on its own clock. Standard costs and customer quotes built in early summer may already be out of date.

Dates to put on the calendar

  • November 9: current expiry of the 178 Section 301 China exclusions and the vessel-fee suspension, unless USTR publishes extensions.
  • January 10, 2027: the new end date for the US-China truce announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as reported by FreightFigures.
  • January 12, 2027: deadline for public comments on the 2027 USMCA joint review, per the Federal Register notice.

What this means for your business

  1. Rebuild landed cost for your top imported and Canadian-origin parts, one duty layer at a time. Our free tariff cost calculator and landed cost calculator are a quick starting point.
  2. Ask your broker for every entry line claiming a China exclusion, sorted by value, and plan for both outcomes on November 9.
  3. Screen Canadian suppliers against the September 15 list. Do not assume USMCA qualification protects you from Section 338 duties.
  4. Review customer pricing terms. Where margins are thin, consider surcharge or index-linked clauses for metals and freight.
  5. If you are owed IEEPA refunds, decide on purpose whether to hold the cash, reinvest it, or share it with customers, and check whether any contracts require pass-through.

If you want help sorting out your tariff exposure or rebuilding landed costs, our supply chain consulting work starts with a free 30-minute call, and we agree the scope with you before any work starts. You can also try the free supply chain tools first.

Sources

This article summarizes public reporting and research as of October 5, 2026. It is general information, not legal, customs or tax advice.

Scroll to Top