The clock is ticking, and if you’re trying to figure out when is 90 day tariff pause over, you aren't alone. It’s been a chaotic year for anyone importing so much as a paperclip. Between the "Liberation Day" announcements and the flurry of executive orders, the timeline has shifted more times than a summer blockbuster release date.
Honestly, the "90-day" window is a bit of a misnomer now because we’ve moved into a world of specific extensions and country-by-country deals.
The Original 90-Day Deadline and Where We Stand
To get the main answer out of the way: the original 90-day pause that started back in April 2025 technically expired on July 9, 2025.
That was the date everyone had circled in red. It was supposed to be the "negotiation window" where the U.S. would hammer out deals with basically the entire world. Peter Navarro, the Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, famously promised "90 deals in 90 days."
Spoilers: that didn't quite happen.
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While the universal 10% "base" tariff stayed in place for almost everyone, those scary reciprocal tariffs—the ones that could jump to 50%—were held back for that three-month window. Once July 9 hit, the floodgates opened for some, while others got lucky with last-minute extensions.
The Special Case of China
If you're looking at imports from China, the 90-day math works differently. On May 14, 2025, the administration agreed to a specific pause on certain heightened rates for Chinese goods.
That specific pause was set for 90 days, landing on August 12, 2025.
However, things took a major turn toward the end of last year. Following a high-stakes meeting in South Korea, President Trump signed a new executive order on November 4, 2025. This order significantly pushed back the "end" date.
Right now, the suspension of heightened reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports is officially extended until 12:01 a.m. EST on November 10, 2026.
Why the "90 Days" Keeps Changing
It’s a moving target because the White House is using the threat of the "cliff" to get concessions. For example, countries like the UK and Vietnam managed to carve out their own deals before their respective deadlines hit.
The UK deal, reached in May 2025, kept their base tariff at 10% while keeping some specific quotas on steel and cars. Vietnam signed their agreement later in the summer, focusing heavily on stopping "transshipments" from China.
If you are importing from a country that hasn't signed a specific trade framework, you’re likely already paying the higher rates that kicked in after the July and August deadlines passed.
The SCOTUS Wildcard
There is a massive "unless" hanging over all of this. As of today, January 14, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating on a case called Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump.
This is the big one.
The court is deciding if the President actually had the power to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to slap these tariffs on everyone in the first place. Just this morning, the Court released three decisions, but they skipped over the tariff ruling.
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If the Supreme Court strikes down the use of IEEPA for these trade taxes, the "pause" won't matter because the tariffs themselves might vanish overnight. We’re talking about a potential "tariff holiday" and billions in refunds.
What This Means for Your Bottom Line
So, is the pause over? For most of the world, yes. The honeymoon ended in July 2025. But for China, you have until late 2026—assuming the current deal holds.
You’ve probably noticed the "de minimis" changes too. Since May 2025, that $800 duty-free loophole for small packages is basically dead. Even if your main goods are under a "pause," those small postal shipments are getting hit with fees of $100 or more per item.
Actionable Steps for Importers
- Audit your Origin: If you’re sourcing from Southeast Asia, make sure your paperwork is airtight. Customs is aggressively looking for Chinese goods being "routed" through places like Malaysia or Cambodia to dodge the 104% effective rates.
- Watch the November 10, 2026 Date: This is the new "cliff" for China. If you have major inventory needs for the 2026 holiday season, you need to have that stock in the warehouse before November.
- Check for Product-Specific Exemptions: Even while the broad 90-day pauses are over, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) still grants specific exclusions for things like rare earth minerals and certain medical components.
- Prepare for a SCOTUS Decision: Keep your legal team on standby this month. If the Supreme Court rules against the administration, you’ll need to file for duty drawbacks immediately to get your money back.
The trade landscape is basically a game of musical chairs. Most of the chairs were pulled away last July, but the music is still playing for a few specific sectors and countries until late next year. Stay nimble.