{
  "feed": "alpine-rcic.com weekly tariff-change feed",
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Green G(P)⁴™ Global Operations — M/s Alpine Trade Concerns",
    "url": "https://alpine-rcic.com/",
    "email": "sales@alpine-rcic.com",
    "author": "Hashim Haseeb, customs broker (20+ years HS classification)"
  },
  "feedVersion": "1.0",
  "generatedAt": "2026-10-21",
  "nextUpdate": "2026-10-28",
  "updateCadence": "weekly (Wednesdays)",
  "license": "Citable with attribution and link to https://alpine-rcic.com/tariff-changes.json",
  "disclaimer": "Atomic facts compiled from primary government sources for planning use. Not customs, legal or tax advice. Verify with a licensed customs broker before filing.",
  "notes": [
    "Each change is an atomic fact: one jurisdiction, one measure, one effective date, one source URL.",
    "Fields: id, jurisdiction, title, changeType, effectiveDate, fact, previousRule, whoIsAffected, source {name, url}, verifiedOn."
  ],
  "changes": [
    {
      "id": "us-301-country-duty-2026",
      "jurisdiction": "US",
      "title": "Section 301 country duty replaces IEEPA tariffs for 60 economies",
      "changeType": "new duty",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-07-24",
      "fact": "A Section 301 country duty applies on top of normal MFN duty: 12.5% for China, Vietnam and Thailand; 10% for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom; combined caps for the EU and Taiwan (10%) and Japan, South Korea and Switzerland (12.5%).",
      "previousRule": "IEEPA reciprocal tariffs (struck down 20 February 2026) and the temporary Section 122 duty (expired 24 July 2026).",
      "whoIsAffected": "All US importers of goods from the 60 covered economies unless exempted.",
      "source": { "name": "USTR FLN 2026-15181 / CBP CSMS #69326983", "url": "https://www.cbp.gov/trade/remedies/301" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "us-301-china-legacy-lists",
      "jurisdiction": "US",
      "title": "Legacy China Section 301 list duties continue to stack",
      "changeType": "stacking clarification",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-07-24",
      "fact": "For Chinese goods on the original Section 301 lists, the legacy list duty (7.5% or 25% by 10-digit subheading) is charged in addition to the base MFN duty and the new 12.5% country duty.",
      "previousRule": "Legacy list duty charged alone.",
      "whoIsAffected": "US importers of Chinese goods on Lists 1–4A.",
      "source": { "name": "USTR Section 301 actions; CBP CSMS #69326983", "url": "https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "us-lithium-battery-301-2026",
      "jurisdiction": "US",
      "title": "Non-EV lithium-ion batteries (8507.60.00 family) legacy 301 rate rises to 25%",
      "changeType": "rate increase",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-01-01",
      "fact": "Non-electric-vehicle lithium-ion batteries classified in the 8507.60.00 family pay the 25% legacy Section 301 list rate from 1 January 2026, in addition to MFN duty and the 12.5% country duty.",
      "previousRule": "7.5% under List 4A.",
      "whoIsAffected": "US importers of lithium-ion cells and battery packs not for EVs.",
      "source": { "name": "USTR Four-Year Review final action", "url": "https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/tariff-actions" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "us-ieepa-refunds",
      "jurisdiction": "US",
      "title": "IEEPA tariffs ended by the Supreme Court; refunds in process",
      "changeType": "repeal",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-02-20",
      "fact": "The Supreme Court held that IEEPA does not authorise the reciprocal and fentanyl tariffs; CBP is processing refunds of IEEPA duties paid. Importers should review past entries with their broker.",
      "previousRule": "IEEPA reciprocal and fentanyl tariffs collected since 2025.",
      "whoIsAffected": "US importers who paid IEEPA duties.",
      "source": { "name": "Learning Resources v. Trump (SCOTUS) / CBP refund guidance", "url": "https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "us-mpf-fy2027",
      "jurisdiction": "US",
      "title": "MPF minimum and maximum rise for FY2027",
      "changeType": "fee adjustment",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-10-01",
      "fact": "The Merchandise Processing Fee is 0.3464% of entered value with a $34.58 minimum and a $670.86 maximum per formal entry.",
      "previousRule": "0.3464% with $33.58 minimum and $651.50 maximum (FY2026, through 30 September 2026).",
      "whoIsAffected": "All US formal entries.",
      "source": { "name": "CBP Dec. 26-14 / CSMS #69326983", "url": "https://www.cbp.gov/trade/merchandise-processing-fee" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "us-hmf-unchanged",
      "jurisdiction": "US",
      "title": "Harbor Maintenance Fee 0.125% on ocean shipments",
      "changeType": "fee (unchanged)",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-10-01",
      "fact": "HMF remains 0.125% of entered value on ocean shipments, with no minimum or maximum; air, rail and truck shipments are exempt.",
      "previousRule": "Same rate.",
      "whoIsAffected": "US ocean importers.",
      "source": { "name": "19 CFR 24.24 (CBP)", "url": "https://www.cbp.gov/trade/harbor-maintenance-fee" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "eu-de-minimis-end",
      "jurisdiction": "EU",
      "title": "EUR 150 customs duty relief abolished",
      "changeType": "repeal",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-07-01",
      "fact": "The customs duty relief for consignments with an intrinsic value up to EUR 150 ended. B2C distance-sales consignments up to EUR 150 pay a temporary flat customs duty of EUR 3 per item (same subheading and origin) until 1 July 2028; B2B imports pay normal tariff duty.",
      "previousRule": "No customs duty below EUR 150 (VAT applied since 2021).",
      "whoIsAffected": "EU consumers and e-commerce importers.",
      "source": { "name": "Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382", "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/382/oj" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "eu-handling-fee",
      "jurisdiction": "EU",
      "title": "EUR 2 Union handling fee on distance sales",
      "changeType": "new fee",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-11-01",
      "fact": "From 1 November 2026 a Union handling fee of EUR 2 per item applies to goods sold at a distance to EU consumers and imported from outside the EU, whatever their value, under the amended Union Customs Code.",
      "previousRule": "No handling fee.",
      "whoIsAffected": "EU-facing e-commerce sellers and platforms.",
      "source": { "name": "Regulation (EU) 2026/2108 (Commission set fee 21 September 2026)", "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/2108/oj" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "eu-husked-rice-duty",
      "jurisdiction": "EU",
      "title": "Husked rice import duty EUR 42.50/tonne; basmati within quota duty-free",
      "changeType": "new duty",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-09-07",
      "fact": "Husked (brown) rice imports pay EUR 42.50 per tonne from 7 September 2026; basmati rice within the tariff quota enters duty-free.",
      "previousRule": "Duty-free under the EUR 150 relief for small parcels and prior quota arrangements.",
      "whoIsAffected": "EU rice importers and repackers.",
      "source": { "name": "Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1655", "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32026R1655" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "eu-india-fta-signed",
      "jurisdiction": "EU",
      "title": "EU–India FTA signed but not yet in force",
      "changeType": "future preference",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-01-27",
      "fact": "The EU–India free trade agreement was signed on 27 January 2026 but is not yet in force; EU–India trade pays MFN duty until ratification and entry into force (projected 2027).",
      "previousRule": "MFN rates only.",
      "whoIsAffected": "EU–India traders planning sourcing shifts.",
      "source": { "name": "European Commission trade negotiations", "url": "https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/india_en" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "au-ipc-fees",
      "jurisdiction": "AU",
      "title": "Australian Import Processing Charge levels",
      "changeType": "fee (current levels)",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-07-01",
      "fact": "Import Processing Charge: A$50 for consignments under A$10,000; A$152 for consignments of A$10,000 or more lodged electronically.",
      "previousRule": "Same schedule (confirm against current ABF fee table each quarter).",
      "whoIsAffected": "Australian importers making formal entries.",
      "source": { "name": "Australian Border Force — fees and charges", "url": "https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/tariff-classification/fees-and-charges" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "au-biosecurity-fees",
      "jurisdiction": "AU",
      "title": "Australian biosecurity assessment fees by mode",
      "changeType": "fee (current levels)",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-07-01",
      "fact": "Biosecurity assessment: A$48 for air consignments and A$71 for sea consignments, in addition to the Import Processing Charge.",
      "previousRule": "Same schedule (confirm against current ABF fee table each quarter).",
      "whoIsAffected": "Australian importers.",
      "source": { "name": "Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — cost recovery", "url": "https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/legislation/regulation/cost-recovery" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "uk-vat-food-rates",
      "jurisdiction": "UK",
      "title": "UK import VAT: 20% standard, most food zero-rated",
      "changeType": "rate (unchanged)",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-10-21",
      "fact": "UK import VAT applies at 20% on value plus duty for standard-rate goods; most food for human consumption (excluding catering, confectionery, crisps and similar) is zero-rated. Duty is calculated on CIF value.",
      "previousRule": "Same.",
      "whoIsAffected": "UK importers.",
      "source": { "name": "HMRC — Importing and exporting goods: rates of VAT on imports", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rates-of-vat-on-imported-goods" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "de-food-vat-7",
      "jurisdiction": "DE",
      "title": "Germany: 7% reduced VAT on staple foods",
      "changeType": "rate (unchanged)",
      "effectiveDate": "2026-10-21",
      "fact": "Germany applies the 7% reduced import VAT rate to staple foods under Anlage 2 UStG (e.g. rice), while the standard 19% rate applies to most other goods.",
      "previousRule": "Same.",
      "whoIsAffected": "Importers clearing goods in Germany.",
      "source": { "name": "UStG Anlage 2 (Gesetz zur Regelung des Steuervorteils)", "url": "https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/ustg/anlage_2.html" },
      "verifiedOn": "2026-10-21"
    }
  ]
}