Honestly, the trade map between Washington and Moscow looks less like a bridge and more like a fortress these days. If you’re asking do we have tariffs on Russia, the short answer is a massive, resounding yes. But it’s not just a single "tax" at the border. It’s a messy, overlapping web of bans, "column 2" duties, and some pretty aggressive new penalties that the current administration has doubled down on as of early 2026.
The Death of "Normal" Trade
Basically, the biggest turning point happened back in 2022 when the U.S. revoked Russia’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status. You've probably heard the term "Most Favored Nation" thrown around in the news. Losing that status was the economic equivalent of being kicked out of the cool kids' club.
Most countries we trade with get the "Column 1" rates in the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule—these are often 0% or maybe 3% for most things. But since Russia lost that status, they got bumped to "Column 2." These are the rates originally designed for the Soviet Union and other non-market economies. We're talking 30%, 40%, or even higher on things that used to be cheap.
What’s Happening Right Now in 2026?
It’s complicated. As of January 2026, the Trump administration has taken some pretty sharp turns compared to the previous couple of years. While there was a lot of talk about a "peace deal" throughout 2025, the reality on the ground is that the U.S. Treasury actually ramped up pressure.
Specifically, look at the October 2025 moves. The U.S. imposed direct sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia's two oil titans. Why? Because the administration felt Moscow wasn’t actually serious about the peace talks that were supposed to happen.
- Aluminum is a huge one. If you're trying to bring Russian aluminum into the U.S. right now, you’re looking at a 200% tariff. That's basically a "keep out" sign.
- The "Shadow Fleet" issue. Interestingly, the current White House has been a bit slower than the UK or EU to sanction individual tankers, but they’ve found a different way to squeeze the pipes.
- India is caught in the crossfire. This is the wild part. The U.S. recently slapped a 25% incremental tariff on most goods coming from India. Why? To punish them for buying so much Russian oil. It’s a "secondary" tariff, basically saying, "If you help them, we tax you."
Why the "Sanctioning Russia Act" Matters
There is a massive bill floating through Congress right now—the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 (which is still a hot topic this January). It has bipartisan support from folks like Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal.
This isn't your average tariff. They are talking about a 500% tariff on any country that buys Russian oil or uranium. A 500% tax is basically an embargo. It's not about making money; it's about making the trade impossible. If that passes and gets signed this spring, the global energy market is going to have a heart attack.
What’s Actually Banned?
Tariffs are one thing, but for a lot of stuff, the rate doesn't matter because you can't bring it in at all. The U.S. has a hard ban on:
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- Russian Seafood: No more Alaskan-style king crab that actually came from Vladivostok.
- Diamonds: The U.S. and G7 have tightened the screws so hard that even diamonds cut in third countries (like India) are being tracked to ensure they aren't Russian-origin.
- Vodka and Spirits: Pretty much off the shelves if they’re coming direct.
- Energy: Crude oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia are strictly prohibited.
The "Column 2" Trap
For everything else—the random machinery parts, some chemicals, or fertilizers—you’re stuck with those Column 2 rates.
Here is the thing about Column 2: it’s unpredictable. In 2022, President Biden raised the rate on over 570 groups of Russian products to 35%. In 2025 and moving into 2026, the Trump administration has used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to keep these high or even bump them higher.
Some people thought the new administration would slash these to get a deal, but so far, they’ve used them as a "stick" rather than a "carrot." If you're a business owner, you've probably noticed that importing anything with even a trace of Russian steel or aluminum requires a "melt and pour" certification. If you can’t prove it wasn't poured in Russia, you’re paying that 200% penalty.
Practical Steps for Businesses and Consumers
If you’re still trying to navigate this landscape, here is the reality:
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- Audit Your Supply Chain: If you have a supplier in Turkey, India, or China, you need to check where their raw materials come from. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is getting incredibly aggressive with "Country of Origin" audits.
- Expect Volatility: With the Supreme Court currently reviewing whether the President can use IEEPA to just "declare" tariffs on a whim, we might see some of these rates get struck down—only for Congress to immediately codify them into law anyway.
- Switching Costs: If you’re still relying on Russian fertilizers (which have seen some exemptions for food security reasons) or inorganic chemicals, now is the time to find a North American or "friend-shored" alternative. The 2026 trend is clearly toward "maximum pressure" until a definitive peace treaty is signed.
The bottom line? Do we have tariffs on Russia? Yes, and they are some of the most restrictive in modern history. We’ve moved past simple trade disputes into a full-blown economic decoupling that isn't going away anytime soon.
Verify your HTS codes immediately. Ensure your "Column 2" liabilities are fully accounted for in your 2026 Q1 and Q2 budget planning. If the Graham-Blumenthal bill passes, expect energy costs to spike as the U.S. forces the rest of the world to choose between Russian oil and the American market.