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Washington D.C. – A series of recent developments are reshaping transatlantic trade, with new calculations for import duties into the United States and a reduction in tariffs for Swiss exports. These changes, announced throughout January and December 2025 and February 2026, signal a dynamic period for businesses engaged in trade between the United States and Europe.
The most significant shift for importers to the US involves the method for calculating import duties. As of January 18, 2026, importers must now sum the IEEPA/Reciprocal duty to the import duty listed in column 1 of the American customs tariff. This adjustment stems from a trade agreement reached between the European Union and the United States on July 27, 2025, which aims to create a more favorable trade environment for European goods compared to imports from other nations. Understanding the intricacies of calculating US duties, particularly following the implementation of IEEPA duties (reciprocal duties), is now crucial for businesses.
New US Import Duty Calculation Method
The IEEPA duty, or reciprocal duty, is added to the standard US duty, which is the rate found in column 1 of the US customs tariff. This column represents the historical duty rate traditionally used for calculating import duties. According to ExportUSA, examples demonstrate that importing goods from the EU is now subject to a more favorable US duty than imports from other countries.
Reduced Tariffs for Swiss Exports
On December 18, 2025, the United States confirmed a retroactive reduction to November 14, 2025, of the flat-rate customs duty on imports from Switzerland and Liechtenstein to a maximum of 15%. Swiss Global Enterprise reports that supplementary duties will likewise be abolished for certain additional products, as outlined in the US Federal Register. Importers can seek refunds for excess duties paid through the ACH Refund procedure. This reduction is expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of Swiss companies in the US market, bringing them in line with competitors from countries with similar economic structures.
In exchange for the reduced tariffs, Switzerland will lower duties on certain fish and agricultural products originating from the United States and implement bilateral tariff-free quotas. The situation remains fluid, and businesses are advised to carefully assess the impact of these regulations on their products and supply chains.
US Duties and the IEEPA
The changes in duty calculations highlight the importance of the IEEPA, or reciprocal duty. This duty is applied in addition to the standard US duty, as indicated in column 1 of the US customs tariff. The agreement between the EU and the US aims to balance trade and ensure fair competition. The ExportUSA website provides services for exporting to the United States, including logistics support.
Generally, import duties are the responsibility of the importer (typically the buyer), unless an Incoterm of DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) has been agreed upon.
These developments underscore the evolving landscape of international trade. Businesses involved in transatlantic commerce must stay informed about these changes to ensure compliance and maximize their competitive advantage. The coming months will be critical as companies adapt to the new duty calculation methods and grab advantage of the reduced tariffs for Swiss exports.
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