It’s Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and if you’re trying to figure out what’s going on with your latest shipment or why that new washing machine suddenly costs $200 more than it did last summer, you aren't alone. Honestly, the trade landscape right now is a total mess. Between executive orders, "emergency" powers, and a massive Supreme Court case that could literally blow up the entire system tomorrow, keeping track of are the tariffs in effect now feels like a full-time job.
Most folks think tariffs are just one flat tax. They aren't. They’re a messy, overlapping layer of "Section 301" duties, "Section 232" national security taxes, and a whole new batch of "Reciprocal" levies that the Trump administration rolled out over the last year.
The Short Answer: Yes, They’re Very Much in Effect
Right now, the average tariff rate on all imports into the U.S. has hit roughly 17%. To put that in perspective, back in 2022, that number was sitting at a tiny 1.5%. We are living through the highest trade barriers the country has seen since the 1940s.
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But it’s not a uniform wall. It's more like a leaky bucket with some holes plugged by temporary "truces" and others blown wide open by new enforcement. For instance, just yesterday, the President threatened a 25% levy on any country doing business with Iran. This isn't just theory—Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is actively collecting these checks.
The "Big Three" Categories You’re Paying For
- Steel and Aluminum: These are the big ones. As of mid-2025, the rate on most imported steel and aluminum jumped to 50%. Even countries that used to have a free pass—like Canada and Mexico—are getting hit unless they can prove the metal was "melted and poured" right here in North America.
- China and the "Fentanyl" Surtax: There was a massive deal struck back in November 2025 that lowered some of these. The "fentanyl-related" tariffs on Chinese goods dropped from 20% to 10%, but don't get too excited. Most Chinese imports still face a baseline 10% reciprocal tariff that's staying put until at least November 2026.
- Household Appliances: This is where you feel it at the store. A June 2025 proclamation slapped a 50% tariff on things like refrigerators, dryers, and dishwashers that use imported steel.
Are the Tariffs in Effect Now? The Supreme Court Wildcard
Here is the part that has every CFO in America sweating today. There is a case right now called Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump. The Supreme Court is literally deciding—potentially as soon as this afternoon—if the President actually has the legal right to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to set these rates.
Basically, the administration used "national emergency" declarations to bypass Congress. If the Court says, "Wait, you can't do that," we could see a "tariff holiday" overnight. We’re talking about $150 billion in potential refunds that the government might have to pay back to businesses.
"It would be a complete mess," the President posted on social media yesterday. He’s not wrong. If the ruling goes against the government, the legal chaos of trying to refund every small business that paid a 10% surtax on coffee or tea over the last year would be a nightmare.
Why Your Morning Coffee Costs More
If you’ve looked at a "Tariff Tracker" lately, you’ve seen the charts. Staples like beef, coffee, and even bananas have seen their average tariff rates climb. While the administration claims these are strategic moves to bring manufacturing home, the reality for the average household is a roughly $2,100 hit to the wallet this year alone.
The logic is simple: if a company pays 25% more to bring in a part, they don’t just eat that cost. They pass it to you. Or they "unbundle" services—charging you for the "software" of a machine separately to avoid the hardware tariff. It’s a game of cat and mouse.
The Nicaragua and China 2026 Updates
Just a few days ago, on January 1st, the 2026 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) went live. It’s the "bible" of trade, and it’s thicker than ever.
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- Semiconductors: New Section 301 measures were finalized last month.
- Medical Gear: Tariffs on surgical gloves and syringes just spiked to 100% on January 1, 2026.
- Face Masks: Those disposable masks are now at a 50% duty rate.
- Nicaragua: New tariffs based on labor rights investigations are on the books, though some are suspended until 2027 to give supply chains "breathing room."
What You Should Do About It
If you’re running a business or just trying to manage a household budget, waiting for the "perfect" trade environment is a losing strategy. Here’s the play:
Don't bet on a Supreme Court miracle. Even if the Court strikes down the current IEEPA tariffs, the administration has already pledged to just re-apply them using different laws, like Section 232 or Section 338. The protectionist trend isn't going away because of a court ruling.
Audit your HTS codes. If you're an importer, small mistakes in how you classify goods are now being met with "maximum monetary penalties." CBP is not in a forgiving mood. There is no "duty drawback" for steel and aluminum tariffs anymore, so once that money is paid, it’s likely gone for good.
Watch the "Melt and Pour" requirements. If you buy metal products, you need documentation showing exactly where that metal was cast. If you can't prove it, you’re paying the high rate. Period.
The reality of are the tariffs in effect now is that we are in a high-cost environment for the foreseeable future. The "Art of the Deal" style of trade means things change with a single social media post or executive order. Flexibility is the only real defense you've got. Keep your supply chains short and your lawyers on speed dial.
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Actionable Next Steps:
- Download the January 2026 HTS Basic Edition to check specific codes for your most frequent imports.
- Verify the country of origin for any steel-content products (like appliances or machinery) to see if they qualify for USMCA exemptions.
- Prepare for a "Tariff Holiday" contingency in your accounting if the Supreme Court rules against the IEEPA authority this week.