Section 232 Auto Parts Inclusions Window: April 1-14, 2026

A two-week window opening April 1 could expand your tariff exposure on automobile parts. The Department of Commerce is now accepting requests to add new parts to the 25% Section 232 tariff scope. If parts you currently import outside that scope get added, your costs go up.

What the Inclusions Process Is

President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imported automobiles effective April 3, 2025, and on certain automobile parts effective May 3, 2025, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, citing national security concerns related to the domestic automotive industry. The tariff applies to passenger vehicles, light trucks, and a defined scope of automobile parts across multiple HTSUS chapters.

In September 2025, the Department of Commerce published formal procedures for the Inclusions Process, allowing domestic auto and parts producers to petition for additional parts to be brought into the 25% tariff scope. Requests are accepted during four recurring two-week windows each year: January, April, July, and October. The April 1-14 window is the second of four in 2026.

The April 2026 Window at a Glance

Window Opens	April 1, 2026
Window Closes	April 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Where to Submit	AutoInclusions@trade.gov
Eligible Submitters	U.S. producers of automobiles or automobile parts, or industry associations representing them
Page Limit	30 pages total (including all attachments)
Public Comment Period	2 weeks after window closes, on Regulations.gov (Docket ITA-2025-0040)
ITA Decision Timeline	Within 60 days of receipt

Who Can Submit

Submissions are open to U.S. producers of automobiles or automobile parts, and to industry associations representing them. Importers are not eligible to submit. Each submission must include all of the following:

1. Applicant identification

2. Description of the requested automobile part

3. The 8- or 10-digit HTSUS classification (the product code identifying the part for customs purposes)

4. Explanation of why the article qualifies as an automobile part

5. Information on the domestic industry affected

6. Statistics on imports and domestic production

7. Description of how imports have increased in a manner that threatens national security or undermines Section 232 automobile tariff objectives

All submissions must stay within 30 pages, including all attachments. Business-confidential submissions must include a non-confidential public version, meaning a redacted copy that can be publicly posted on Regulations.gov.

Why Importers Should Monitor This

This is not an importer compliance deadline. The submission window is for U.S. domestic producers. However, importers of automobile parts face real risk from this process for three reasons.

First, parts currently outside the 25% tariff scope can be added if domestic manufacturers petition and Commerce approves. The determination timeline runs 60 days from receipt of each request.

Second, once requests are posted for public comment on Regulations.gov (Docket ITA-2025-0040, the public filing where Commerce posts submissions and accepts comments), importers of potentially affected parts may submit comments during the 14-day comment period, which opens after April 14.

Third, if Commerce approves an inclusion, affected importers will face the 25% tariff on future entries of those parts.

What Happens Next

After April 14, the International Trade Administration (ITA) will post accepted requests publicly on Regulations.gov for a 14-day public comment period. ITA makes its determination within 60 days of receiving each request. If approved, Commerce issues a determination and the affected HTS subheadings are added to the Section 232 scope.

The next submission windows are July 1 and October 1, 2026.

We Are Watching This For You

We are actively tracking all April submissions and public comments for our clients. If you import automobile parts and want to know whether your specific HTSUS classifications (the product codes identifying your parts for customs purposes) are at risk of inclusion, contact us. Your trade counsel can assist with any formal comment submissions once the docket is populated after April 14.

References

• Federal Register Notice 2026-05681 (ITA, March 24, 2026): federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/24/2026-05681/notice-of-the-opening-of-the-inclusions-window-for-the-section-232-automobile-parts-tariff

• Federal Register 2025-18015 (Adoption and Procedures, September 17, 2025): federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/17/2025-18015/adoption-and-procedures-of-the-section-232-automobile-parts-tariff-inclusions-process

• Federal Register 2025-05930 (Original Automobile Proclamation, April 3, 2025): federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/03/2025-05930/adjusting-imports-of-automobiles-and-automobile-parts-into-the-united-states

• CBP CSMS #64913145 (auto parts Section 232 guidance): content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/3de7ef9

• CBP Section 232 Additional FAQs - Automobiles and Auto Parts: cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/entry-summary/section-232-additional-faqs-autos

This advisory is provided for informational purposes only as of March 30, 2026. Trade regulations, executive orders, and tariff classifications are subject to frequent change. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice. Richard G. Fleischer Customs Brokers encourages all importers to consult with a licensed customs broker or qualified trade counsel regarding their specific circumstances.