Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from CTDA

PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL: ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS: CTDA MEMBER UPDATE ON TRADE ISSUES RELEVANT TO THE CERAMIC TILE INDUSTRY

This will provide you with an update on changes to the US tariffs on ceramic tile and other products imported from India.

The Trump Administration last year imposed two sets of additional tariffs on most products imported from India. The first, a 25 percent duty on the goods’ value, was applied in April and was considered a “reciprocal” tariff designed to equalize the US trade position with India. The second, an additional 25 percent tariff imposed in August, was intended to punish India for its continued imports of oil from Russia. These two tariffs, combined with the usual (Most Favored Nation) tariffs (most in the 8.5 to 10 percent range) applying to ceramic tile, plus countervailing duty rates of some 3 percent, meant US importers have been paying upwards of 60 percent in duties on the value of the imported tile from India.

A bilateral agreement reached between India and the US this month has resulted in the elimination of the two 25 percent tariff assessments on most Indian products. Instead, ceramic tile from India imported into the US on or after February 7th will now be subject to the following US tariffs:

1. A “reciprocal” US tariff of 18 percent (formerly 25 percent);
2. US MFN rates of 8.5 to 10 percent on Indian tile, depending on its HTS classification;
3. US countervailing duty rates in the range of 3.03 to 3.45 percent, depending on the Indian manufacturer/exporter.

(Any US importer who paid excessive tariff duties on tile imported on or after February 7th should consider filing a Post Summary Correction with US CBP).

The net effect of the US tariff policy change is to approximately halve the current US tariffs on ceramic tile from India. There is a bit of a dispute in the Indian press about making the MFN rate additional to the 18 percent reciprocal tariff but absent further clarification from the Trump Administration, this appears to remain in effect and is cumulative to, not superseded by the 18 percent “reciprocal” tariff.

The revised tariffs do not involve or impact 50 percent US tariffs on imports of steel, aluminum, copper, and products containing these metals that have been designated “derivative” products whose metal content is subject to such duties.

Should you have any questions about this process, please contact CTDA Legal Counsel at the following telephone number and email address:

Robin Grover

Law Office of Robin W. Grover

Washington, D.C.

Tel. No.: 202-302-1653

www.GroTradelaw.com