Refined copper imports are subject to Section 232 tariffs, which add to the landed cost of cathodes beyond the base duty rate. The tariff applies broadly to copper products, though specific product scope and any country-level exclusions or quota arrangements should be verified with a licensed customs broker at the time of entry, as the regulatory landscape can change.

Refined copper is copper that has been electrolytically processed to remove impurities, typically achieving 99.9% or higher copper content. The most common trade form is the electrolytic tough-pitch (ETP) cathode, but oxygen-free (OF) and phosphorus-deoxidized grades also qualify. The key classification boundary is that the copper must be refined — not alloyed with other metals — to remain in this heading rather than moving to the copper alloys headings.