July 21, 2026
CBP Issues Section 232 Copper Smelt and Cast Reporting Requirements
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released guidance outlining new reporting requirements for importers of certain copper articles under Presidential Proclamation 11021, issued pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Beginning July 30, importers of designated copper products must report the countries where the copper was smelted and cast when filing entry summaries through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
Key Takeaways
On April 2, President Trump issued Proclamation 11021, “Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper into the United States.” The proclamation requires importers to provide information necessary to identify the countries where the copper used in covered copper articles was smelted and cast.
CBP has now implemented the necessary ACE functionality to collect this data:
Products Subject to Reporting
The new reporting requirement applies to imports classified under the following HTSUS provisions:
ACE Reporting Requirements
CBP has introduced Importer’s Additional Declaration Type Code 12 – Copper Smelt and Cast Country Detail for reporting these data elements.
Importers should refer to the ACE CATAIR Entry Summary Create/Update V109 for technical filing instructions.
New ACE Validation Errors
CBP also updated the ACE CATAIR Entry Summary Error Dictionary with the following validation messages:
Recommended Actions for Importers
Importers of affected copper products should:
Technical questions regarding the ACE implementation should be directed to the importer's assigned CBP Client Representative.
Additional inquiries may be sent to:
Importers should take immediate steps to ensure compliance, as CBP's new reporting requirements are expected to increase supply chain traceability for copper articles subject to Section 232 measures.
We will keep you updated as we receive information. Please contact us if you have any questions about this or any other trade matter.
Key Takeaways
- Effective Date: July 30
- Applies To: Imports of certain copper articles from all countries of origin except the United States
- New Requirement: Importers must report:
- Primary country of smelt
- Country of cast
- Secondary country of smelt (optional, if applicable)
- Reporting Platform: ACE Entry Summary filings
- Unknown Information: Importers may report “OTH” (Other) if smelt and/or cast information is unavailable
On April 2, President Trump issued Proclamation 11021, “Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper into the United States.” The proclamation requires importers to provide information necessary to identify the countries where the copper used in covered copper articles was smelted and cast.
CBP has now implemented the necessary ACE functionality to collect this data:
- Certification Environment: Available July 16
- Production Environment: Available July 30
Products Subject to Reporting
The new reporting requirement applies to imports classified under the following HTSUS provisions:
- 8544.42.10
- 8544.42.20
- 8544.42.90
- 8544.49.10
ACE Reporting Requirements
CBP has introduced Importer’s Additional Declaration Type Code 12 – Copper Smelt and Cast Country Detail for reporting these data elements.
Importers should refer to the ACE CATAIR Entry Summary Create/Update V109 for technical filing instructions.
New ACE Validation Errors
CBP also updated the ACE CATAIR Entry Summary Error Dictionary with the following validation messages:
- 869 – COP PRIM SMELT CNTRY CD MISSING
- 870 – COP PRIM SMELT CNTRY CD UNKNOWN CNTRY
- 871 – COP SEC SMELT CNTRY CD UNKNOWN CNTRY
- 872 – COP RECENT CAST CNTRY CD MISSING
- 873 – COP RECENT SMELT CNTRY CD UNKNOWN CNTRY
Recommended Actions for Importers
Importers of affected copper products should:
- Review product classifications to determine whether entries fall within the covered HTSUS provisions.
- Engage suppliers and manufacturers to identify copper smelt and cast countries.
- Update internal compliance procedures and ACE filing processes.
- Coordinate with customs brokers and software providers to ensure system readiness before July 30.
- Test reporting functionality in the ACE certification environment where appropriate.
Technical questions regarding the ACE implementation should be directed to the importer's assigned CBP Client Representative.
Additional inquiries may be sent to:
- Entry Summary, Accounts & Revenue Division (ESAR): [email protected]
- CBP Trade Remedy Branch: [email protected]
Importers should take immediate steps to ensure compliance, as CBP's new reporting requirements are expected to increase supply chain traceability for copper articles subject to Section 232 measures.
We will keep you updated as we receive information. Please contact us if you have any questions about this or any other trade matter.
