So, you’re trying to figure out the actual schedule for these new taxes on imports. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess. If you look at the news right now in early 2026, the calendar isn't just one single date you can circle in red. It’s a rolling wave of deadlines, "pauses," and sudden social media announcements that change by the hour.
Basically, most of the "universal" stuff already kicked off last year, but the specific, high-intensity strikes are happening right now or are scheduled for the coming months.
The Big Bang: What’s Already Live
If you’re asking when do trump tariffs start because you're seeing higher prices at the store today, it's because the foundation was laid in early 2025. On what the administration called "Liberation Day"—April 2, 2025—a baseline 10% tariff was slapped on almost every single thing coming into the U.S.
That went live on April 5, 2025.
Then, just a few days later on April 9, the "Reciprocal" tariffs started. This is where it gets tricky. The government looked at what other countries charge us and decided to match it. If a country charges 30% for American cars, we started charging them 30% back.
Here is the quick breakdown of the "old" 2025 starts that are still in effect:
- China: 20% broad tariff started March 4, 2025. It’s basically been a game of leapfrog since then.
- Mexico: 25% on most goods (except USMCA-compliant stuff) started March 4, 2025.
- Canada: 35% on most goods started August 1, 2025 (after an initial lower rate earlier in the year).
- The Global Baseline: That 10% universal "floor" has been active since April 5, 2025.
The 2026 "Immediate" Shocks
Now, let’s talk about right now. On January 12, 2026, the President dropped a bombshell on social media. He announced a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran, effective "immediately."
This is a massive deal. Usually, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) needs a few weeks to update their systems and give importers a heads-up. But this "effective immediately" order means ships currently sitting in the harbor in Long Beach or Savannah might suddenly be hit with a 25% bill they didn't budget for.
Economist Brad Setser at the Council on Foreign Relations basically said this is a "meaningful shock" to the system. It’s disruptive because it doesn't give companies time to pivot. If you've got a container of electronics on the water right now from a country that trades with Iran, your costs just spiked before the boat even docked.
The 2026-2027 Calendar: What’s Next?
Don't think it's over. The administration is using Section 232 investigations like a surgeon's scalpel (or maybe a sledgehammer, depending on who you ask).
There are several dates coming up that you need to watch:
- Mid-2026: Trump mentioned during a New York Times interview on January 15 that those "tariff dividend checks" of $2,000 might start reaching families toward the end of this year. To fund that, expect a push for even higher rates or fewer exemptions this summer.
- June 2027: The USTR recently proposed a potential rate increase on Chinese semiconductors. They're holding off for now, but that's a looming deadline for the tech sector.
- Nicaragua Deadlines: A 10% duty is set for January 1, 2027, jumping to 15% in 2028.
The Supreme Court Wildcard
Everything I just told you could be deleted by Wednesday. No, seriously.
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The Supreme Court is currently reviewing whether the President actually has the legal authority to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to just... declare a "trade emergency" and tax everything.
Multiple federal courts already ruled that the administration went too far. But the tariffs stay in place while the highest court decides. If they rule against the White House, the "start" date for the next round of tariffs might be delayed as the administration tries to find a legal "workaround." Trump has already said he’ll use "some other alternative" if he loses in court.
Why Does the Start Date Keep Moving?
You might notice that a tariff is announced for "Monday" and then suddenly it's "paused" for 90 days. This is a deliberate strategy.
Take the "Reciprocal" tariffs from April 2025. They were supposed to hit everyone, but then a 90-day pause was granted to countries that were willing to talk. This happened with the EU, Japan, and South Korea. They basically bought themselves time by promising to buy more American energy or agricultural products.
So, when someone asks when do trump tariffs start, the answer is often: "As soon as the negotiations fail."
Actionable Steps for Businesses and Consumers
If you're trying to navigate this, "waiting and seeing" is a bad plan.
- Check the "De Minimis" Status: The $800 tax-free limit for overseas packages (like from Temu or Shein) is basically dead for Chinese goods. Expect to pay duties on almost everything coming via mail now.
- Audit Your Supply Chain for "Iran-Adjacent" Partners: Given the January 12 announcement, if your suppliers in Turkey, India, or Iraq are doing heavy business with Iran, you need to assume a 25% price hike is coming or has already arrived.
- Watch the SCOTUS Docket: A ruling is expected any day now. If the court strikes down the IEEPA authority, there will be a chaotic 48-hour window where prices might drop before the administration issues new "National Security" proclamations under Section 232 to put them back up.
- Lock in Contracts Now: If you are importing timber, steel, or aluminum, the rates are currently hovering around 50% for global imports, but special deals (like the one with the UK) can change those costs overnight.
The reality of 2026 is that the "start date" is less of a calendar event and more of a permanent state of flux.