China Announces an Additional 84% Tariff on U.S. Imports

On April 9, 2025, China released the Announcement of the General Administration of Customs on the Implementation Details of the Tariff Measures on Imported Goods Originating from the United States, imposing an additional 84% tariff on imported goods originating from the United States, based on existing applicable tariff rates. 

This measure directly responds to Trump’s additional 50% reciprocal tariffs targeting Chinese products announced on April 8, 2025, which raised total U.S. duties on Chinese imports to 104%. This series of tariff policies has had a significant impact on the economies of both countries, including the trade of food and cosmetics.

Background

Since early 2025, Trump has implemented a series of tariff measures to raise tariffs on Chinese goods.

• First round: On February 1, 2025, a 10% tariff was imposed on Chinese goods.

• Second round: On February 27, 2025, another 10% tariff was announced.

• Third round: On April 2, 2025, Trump signed an executive order titled Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices Contributing to Large and Persistent U.S. Trade Deficits, enacting the so-called Reciprocal Tariffs Policy. The measure imposed a baseline 10% tariff on imports from 185 countries while targeting China with a higher 34% duty. In retaliation, China announced matching 34% tariffs on U.S. goods on April 4.

• Fourth round: On April 8, Donald Trump declared via his social media an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports, totaling 104%. China swiftly responded with an additional 50% increase on April 9, bringing the total to 84%. Later, Trump escalated further by raising U.S. tariffs to 125%.

Key Points of the Announcement

The announcement from China’s General Administration of Customs includes the following key points:

• Starting from 12:01 on April 10, 2025, an additional 84% tariff was imposed on all imported goods originating from the United States, based on existing applicable tariff rates.

• Goods that were shipped from the place of departure before 12:01 on April 10, 2025, and imported between 12:01 on April 10, 2025, and 24:00 on May 13, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as “in-transit goods”) will not be subject to the additional tariffs imposed in this measure.

To ensure the implementation of the additional tariff measures, and guarantee that in-transit goods are not subject to the additional tariffs, the General Administration of Customs clarified the following implementation requirements:

• Requirements for Exemption: Importers applying for exemption for additional tariffs on In-transit Goods shall:

i. Declare the transport vehicle departed the origin before 12:01 on April 10, 2025, in the customs form and mark

ii. Submit a written declaration affirming compliance with relevant regulations and take legal responsibility for the accuracy of the declaration and supporting documents

• Refund of Overpaid Duties: Overpaid tariffs on eligible in-transit goods (declared for import before 24:00 on May 13, 2025) can be refunded upon submission of relevant declaration and supporting documentation.

• Processing Trade: For goods originating from the United States imported under processing trade, the current bonded policy remains unchanged.