2025 Tariff Changes: What Executive Order 14289 Means for Car and Parts Imports
2025 Tariff Changes: What Executive Order 14289 Means for Car and Parts Imports
May 2025 — A major shift in how the U.S. applies tariffs to imported vehicles and auto parts is now in effect. On May 15, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implemented Executive Order 14289, which restructures overlapping import duties across five major trade actions. This change directly impacts importers of cars, engines, and aftermarket parts.
What is EO 14289?
This executive order outlines the hierarchy for how multiple tariffs are applied to the same product under five different trade laws:
- 232 Auto/Auto Parts
- IEEPA Canada
- IEEPA Mexico
- 232 Aluminum
- 232 Steel
What Importers Need to Know
- If the 232 Auto/Auto Parts tariff applies, no other tariffs in this group (Canada/Mexico, Aluminum, Steel) apply.
- Parts eligible for USMCA are exempt from 232 Auto/Auto Parts and IEEPA Canada/Mexico tariffs.
- Steel and Aluminum duties apply only when the above exemptions don’t apply.
Retroactive Refunds Are Available
These rules apply retroactively to shipments imported on or after March 4, 2025. If you overpaid overlapping tariffs, you can file for a refund:
- Unliquidated entries: Use Post Summary Correction (PSC).
- Liquidated entries: File a protest under 19 U.S.C. 1514.
Why This Matters
Whether you’re buying a Nissan Skyline GT-R, a JDM engine, or suspension parts, these changes could save you money. We monitor federal import changes to help:
- Reduce your import duties
- Ensure compliance
- Accelerate customs clearance
