9903.82.18 Consolidated Metal 232: Steel Exemption Heading Explained

Key Points

• HTS 9903.82.18 carries a 0 percent additional duty rate: it is an exemption or exception claim heading within the Consolidated Metal 232 program, not a duty-imposing heading.
• The heading covers certain steel articles described under subparagraph designations (c)(iii) and (h) of the Consolidated Metal 232 framework, effective 2026-04-06.
• CBP entry instructions for this heading are listed as pending (S3); importers must monitor CBP guidance before filing entries that rely on this heading.
• Claiming 9903.82.18 correctly on an entry does not eliminate all duties: the base Chapter 1-97 rate and any other applicable Chapter 99 duties still apply alongside it.
• All facts in this article reflect the official tariff schedule as of August 25, 2026; confirm current status in the live HTSUS or with your broker before filing.

On this page

1. What 9903.82.18 is and what it does
2. Affected products and HTS coverage
3. Rate and effective date
4. How 9903.82.18 stacks with other duties
5. How this heading appears on a CBP entry
6. Pending CBP instructions: what importers must watch
7. What importers should do
8. Key references

The links in this article go to the primary documents: the proclamations, Federal Register notices, and official tariff schedule pages themselves. Read the source.

9903.82.18 is a reserved, zero-rate exemption heading within the Consolidated Metal 232 program that applies to certain steel articles falling under subparagraph designations (c)(iii) and (h). It became effective on 2026-04-06. Because the rate is 0 percent additional duty, claiming this heading means the Consolidated Metal 232 surcharge does not apply to the covered goods, but all other applicable duties continue to apply. CBP entry instructions remain pending as of August 25, 2026, so importers cannot yet finalize filing procedures.

What 9903.82.18 is and what it does

Chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (hts.usitc.gov) houses temporary and special-purpose provisions. The 9903.82 block is home to the Consolidated Metal 232 program, which consolidates Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum articles into a unified Chapter 99 structure.

Within that block, individual subheadings serve different functions. Some impose duties. Others, like 9903.82.18, exempt or exclude specific goods from those duties. When an importer claims 9903.82.18, they are asserting that their goods qualify for an exception or exemption from the additional Section 232 steel duty that would otherwise apply.

The official heading text for 9903.82.18 is: RESERVED - certain steel articles (c)(iii),(h). The "RESERVED" designation signals that this heading is set aside within the tariff schedule for a defined purpose, with CBP entry instructions still being finalized.

Affected products and HTS coverage

9903.82.18 applies to certain steel articles that qualify under the product scope described in subparagraph designations (c)(iii) and (h) of the Consolidated Metal 232 framework. The facts block does not enumerate each specific steel product category covered by those subparagraphs; consult the current HTSUS or a licensed customs broker to confirm whether a specific product falls within (c)(iii) or (h).

For context on how the broader 9903.82 block is structured across steel and other metals, see the related articles on 9903.82.12 and 9903.82.13, which cover other headings in the same block.

Rate and effective date

Zero additional duty

The additional duty rate for 9903.82.18 is 0 percent. This is the defining feature of this heading. It does not impose a surcharge; it removes one, for goods that qualify. Importers claiming this heading are asserting eligibility for an exemption or exception from the steel-related Section 232 additional duties that would otherwise attach.

Effective date

This heading became effective on 2026-04-06. It did not exist in the pre-consolidation Chapter 99 structure. Do not apply it to entries with dates of import before 2026-04-06.

How 9903.82.18 stacks with other duties

Claiming a zero-rate Chapter 99 exemption heading does not wipe out a shipment's entire duty liability. The duty stack on a steel entry typically includes:

• The base Chapter 1-97 rate derived from the normal HTS classification of the product (for example, a subheading in Chapter 72 or 73).
• Any other Chapter 99 duties that may apply to the same goods based on origin, product type, or trade program. For example, if the goods are of Russian origin, separate provisions in the 9903.82 block such as 9903.82.14 may still apply and must be evaluated independently.
• Any applicable Section 301 duties if the goods are of Chinese origin. Confirm whether a substantial transformation or origin determination affects which duties attach; see this overview on substantial transformation.

9903.82.18 addresses only the Consolidated Metal 232 steel additional duty for the specific product categories it covers. Every other layer of the duty stack remains in force.

How this heading appears on a CBP entry

Chapter 99 codes ride alongside, not instead of, the normal Chapter 1-97 classification. On a CBP entry, you will see two HTS lines for an affected shipment:

• The Chapter 1-97 line (for example, a heading in Chapter 72 for flat-rolled steel) with the applicable ad valorem or specific rate.
• The 9903.82.18 line entered at 0 percent, signaling the exemption claim to CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system.

Both lines must be present. Omitting the Chapter 99 line means the exemption is not claimed. Omitting the Chapter 1-97 line means the entry is incomplete. If you encounter ACE system errors when filing combined Chapter 99 and Chapter 1-97 lines, the ACE Error F883 article covers common PSC and filing issues in this space.

Pending CBP instructions: what importers must watch

As of August 25, 2026, CBP entry instructions for 9903.82.18 are listed as pending (S3). This means CBP has not yet published final operational guidance on how to file entries claiming this heading. Until that guidance is issued, importers face uncertainty on:

• The exact ACE entry procedure for claiming the exemption.
• Any supporting documentation or certifications CBP will require at the time of entry or on post-entry audit.
• Whether a specific claim code or message set will be required in ACE.

Monitor the CBP website and CBP's CSMS (Cargo Systems Messaging Service) for updates. Your customs broker should be set up to receive CSMS alerts. Do not assume the filing procedure mirrors other 9903.82 headings until CBP confirms it.

Origin-related risks also deserve attention. CBP scrutinizes transshipment and country-of-origin claims closely on Section 232-affected goods. Review your supply chain documentation carefully; the article on transshipment customs fraud details how CBP detects and penalizes misrepresentation.

What importers should do

• Verify product scope now. Confirm that your specific steel articles fall within subparagraph (c)(iii) or (h) as defined in the current HTSUS before claiming 9903.82.18. Do not assume coverage based on this article alone.
• Monitor CBP for entry instructions. Check cbp.gov and subscribe to CSMS alerts. Filing before official S3 instructions are published could result in ACE rejections or post-entry liability.
• Audit your full duty stack. Identify every applicable Chapter 99 heading and your base Chapter 1-97 rate. Use a duty calculator to model the combined liability and confirm 9903.82.18 is the correct, and only, exemption heading to claim.
• Document your origin and supply chain. An exemption claim is only as strong as the supporting documentation. Maintain country-of-origin records, mill certificates, and any other evidence CBP may require on audit.

Key references

• Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) - Official schedule including 9903.82.18 and all Chapter 99 provisions.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - Entry instructions, CSMS messages, and operational guidance for Chapter 99 filings.
• Federal Register - Proclamations and notices establishing the Consolidated Metal 232 program and its Chapter 99 headings.
• White House Proclamations - Presidential proclamations authorizing Section 232 actions on steel and aluminum.
• 9903.82.12 Consolidated Metal 232: Rate, Scope, and Stacking - Overview of a related duty-imposing heading in the same block.
• 9903.82.14 Consolidated Metal 232: Russia Steel and Copper, 50% Duty - Details on the Russia-specific additional duty that may stack with other headings.
• 2026 Tariff Code Overview - Summary of new and revised Chapter 99 codes effective in 2026.