US TRADE TARIFFS

If you’re producing books, games, packaging, or calendars for the US market, you will have heard the news: big tariff changes were announced recently, and there’s been a lot of uncertainty.

The good news is that books, as “informational materials,” remain exempt worldwide. But other categories such as calendars, stationery, packaging, and games are directly affected and facing steep increases.

With freight traffic already surging, most importers are acting quickly to secure shipments while this window remains open.

Latest Updates

February 20, 2026

On Feb 20, Friday morning, the US Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s International Emergency Powers Act (‘IEEPA’) tariffs violated federal law. The court determined he had exceeded his authority in imposing the levies. By Friday afternoon, Trump said he would reimpose the tariffs under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act.

Trump also said he is preparing to new actions to expand the use of Section 301 and that his administration would open further investigations into other countries’ unfair trade practices, a mechanism through which Trump could build a new wave of tariffs.

Section 122 authorises the U.S. President to impose temporary (up to 150 days) import surcharges of up to a maximum 15%, it goes into effect February 24th at 12:01PM.

The effective tariff rate on China is now 15%, previously 20% under IEEPA.

The effective tariff rate on Malaysia is now 15%, previously 19% under IEEPA.

The effective tariff rate on Vietnam is now 15%, previously 20% under IEEPA.

The effective tariff rate on India is now 15%, previously 20% under IEEPA.

The effective tariff rate on Turkey and the EU remains 15%

The effective tariff rate on Colombia is now 15%, previously 10% under IEEPA.

There are some goods not subject to the import duty. Informational material (ie, Chapter 49) is still exempt.

Chapter 48 (stationery, journals, planners, notepads, empty box packaging), Chapter 9500 (Puzzles, playing cards, board games) are subject to Section 122 15% tariff. This is in addition to Chapter 48’s existing Section 301 tariff of 25% making this a total of 40%.

Refunding the billions of dollars in duties collected by the United States remains up in the air.

The de minimis exemption, a policy that allowed low-value imports worth under $800 to enter the United States duty-free, remains closed. Tariffs will apply to small parcels and consignments.

What’s been happening with US Trade Tariffs on Print Production?

  • Nov. 5, 2025: the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments to consider the legality of President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) to impose tariffs after three lower courts, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, all of which found the IEEPA tariffs to be unlawful. The IEEPA-based tariffs will remain in effect pending the outcome of this case. While the case is pending, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that the administration will not impose new tariffs.
  • On October 30, 2025, the Trump administration extended the China reciprocal tariff pause for one year, keeping the rate at 10% instead of 34%, and cut the China fentanyl-related tariff from 20% to 10%. Books (Chapter 49) remain exempt as “informational materials.” In China, general books stay at 7.5% (Section 301, unchanged), journals, stationery, and packaging (Chapter 48) face a 45% effective rate (25% Section 301 + 20% fentanyl/reciprocal), and games, puzzles, tarot decks, and toys (Chapter 95) are 20%.
  • On August 11, 2025, the Trump administration has extended the China tariff pause by another 90 days, now running through November 10th, 2025.
  • On August 8, 2025, new reciprocal tariffs were announced, affecting a wide range of goods from multiple countries, with rates between 10% and 41% depending on origin.

    Books (Chapter 49) remain exempt as “informational materials,” regardless of where they are made.

    In China, general books stay at 7.5% (Section 301, unchanged), while journals, stationery, and packaging (Chapter 48) face a combined 55% effective rate (25% Section 301 + 30% reciprocal), and games, puzzles, tarot decks, and toys (Chapter 95) are 30%.

    Other countries’ rates include Vietnam at 20%, South Korea 15%, Thailand 19%, Malaysia 19%, India 25% (rising to 50% from August 27), Europe 15%, Turkey 15%, Bosnia 30%, Serbia 35%, and Colombia 10%.

    These tariffs apply only to goods not classified as “informational materials,” so most of Chapter 49 remains protected.

  • On April 9th, 2025, the US introduced new US trade tariffs that target various goods, including products related to print production.
  • On May 12th 2025, a 90-day suspension on the most extreme recent tariffs has been announced. A new 30% base tariff is now in place during this pause period.
  • As of May 28th, there has been a major change regarding US tariffs following a decision by the US Court of International Trade, which ruled that President Trump lacked the legal authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to enact a sweeping series of trade penalties. The ruling voids many of the tariffs except for those that weren’t done under the Act, for example, cars and steel which were Section 232.
  • The late afternoon May 29th update to this is that the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has today issued a temporary stay of the decision pending further proceedings. So, for now, there is no change to the current tariffs being collected and the tariff rates remain as set out in our blog below. We don’t know how long the appeal process will be and if it works its way up to the Supreme Court for a final decision, but for now there is no change
  • June 11, 2025: A deal was announced between the US and China following talks in London. While no formal written statement has been released, officials confirmed a total 55% tariff on certain Chinese imports:
    • 20% fentanyl-linked tariff
    • 10% reciprocal tariff
    • 25% Section 301 tariffs from 2018 (unchanged)

The Trump administration says that it plans to appeal the decision. We will update this page with the specific rates, as well as how tariffs will be handled pending appeal, as soon as we know more.

The new tariffs are imposed under the IEEPA*, granting the US President emergency trade powers, but books are protected as “informational materials” and mostly exempt from these additional charges.

Here’s what we believe to be the current breakdown based on product type and tariff chapter:

Books – chapter 49
  • From China:
    • General books (like novels, textbooks, etc.): 7.5% tariff under Section 301 (no new 30% IEEPA* tariff on top) 
    • Children’s picture books and religious books: 0% (still exempt)
    • Calendars: Not exempt under Annex III = 30% + 7.5% = 37.5%
  • From anywhere else:
    • Calendars: 10%
    • Other books: 0%

Most books remain relatively unaffected but calendars, which fall under the same chapter, are not exempt from the new charges.

US TRADE TARIFFS BOOKS
US TRADE TARIFFS STATIONERY PACKAGING
Stationery & Packaging – chapter 48
  • From China:
    • 30% new IEEPA* tariff
    • Section 301 tariff: 25% 
      • Total cumulative tariff: 55%

➤ This is one of the hardest-hit categories. If your packaging is currently sourced from China, you might want to review costs and timelines.

  • From other countries: 10%
  • From Mexico: 0% (if made with North American-sourced paper).
Games & Toys (includes jigsaws, board games, puzzles, and playing cards) – chapter 95
  • From China:
    • 30% total tariff (during 90-day pause)

➤ It’s not the 145% we feared, but it’s still a significant jump. If you’re producing in volume, that 30% adds up fast.

  • From other countries: 10%
  • From Mexico: 0% if USMCA**-compliant
GAMES & TOYS TARIFFS

  • *IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act):
    The IEEPA is a law that grants the President of the United States the power to regulate international commerce during national emergencies. Tariffs under the IEEPA, such as those imposed on Chinese imports, are part of an economic response strategy to address perceived threats to U.S. interests, often in the context of national security or trade imbalances.

  • **USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement):
    The USMCA is a trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It includes provisions for tariff-free trade on qualifying goods, provided they meet specific rules of origin requirements, such as the use of North American-sourced materials.

us trade tariffs

What should you do?
Shipping lines are already reporting a surge in traffic from China, many held-back shipments are now being rushed through during this 90-day window.

💡 Our advice?

  • Book shipments early to avoid delays or rising freight rates.

  • Check product classification codes carefully.

  • Contact us to explore our non-China sourcing to minimise risk or costs.

While there is talk of extending this pause as negotiations continue, there’s no guarantee. If you’re planning a project, now is the time to act.

Need more advice? Let’s talk.

We’re closely monitoring these changes and will continue to keep you informed. If you’re unsure how the US trade tariffs on print production will impact your projects, don’t hesitate to reach out. Imago Group is here to support you in keeping your production on track and budget-friendly.

Do you have an upcoming project?

Contact us today to discover how Imago Group can assist you in meeting your requirements and budget criterias.

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