Primary Metal Manufacturing

Section 232 tariffs apply broadly to steel and aluminum imports, covering a wide range of primary metal forms including flat-rolled steel, long products, pipe and tube, and unwrought aluminum. The measures apply on a product-and-origin basis, and certain countries have negotiated quota arrangements or exemptions. Importers should verify current Section 232 applicability at the specific HTS line level, as coverage and any country-specific arrangements are subject to change.

Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331) covers production from ore or through smelting and refining, including operations using scrap as a primary input when the output is a basic metal form. Secondary processing — such as drawing, rolling further, or fabricating into finished parts — generally falls under NAICS 332 (fabricated metal products) or other downstream sectors. This distinction matters for statistical reporting and for understanding which trade-remedy orders apply to a given product stage.