USA: What you need to know amid the customs chaos

The tariff saga with the US has taken another twist: Washington has just announced new additional tariffs on imports from numerous countries.

Swiss exports will in future be subject to a tariff rate of 12.5 per cent instead of the previous 10 per cent. This puts them at a clear disadvantage compared with their EU competitors, for whom the 10 per cent rate remains in place.

This means that products previously subject to a Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rate of less than 12.5 per cent will now be subject to 12.5 per cent, whilst those with a higher rate will continue to be subject to that higher rate.

In international trade, the MFN tariff rate refers to the lowest tariff rate for the movement of goods between two countries. It is intended to ensure fair and non-discriminatory trade relations.

The announcement of the new additional tariffs comes after the 150-day period for the previous rates has expired and the US Congress has voted on whether to extend them.

The situation remains unpredictable and confusing

It is a thriller with no clear plot – but plenty of chaos. A glance at this year’s developments is enough: additional tariffs that were still in force this winter are already a thing of the past this summer. And nobody knows when the next storm will hit.

For instance, although the US Supreme Court ruled Donald Trump’s tariffs illegal at the end of February, his administration reintroduced new tariffs just a few days later.

At that time, after much back-and-forth, the general additional tariffs of ten per cent were back in force. They were added to the existing MFN tariff rate. Country-specific duties were once again a thing of the past. However, textiles and clothing have been affected by Trump’s caprices from the very beginning.

Help with claiming a refund

That said, companies can reclaim any excess customs duties paid via the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) electronic ACH refund procedure. Our partner, Switzerland Global Enterprise, provides an overview of the process here .

In November 2025, Switzerland and the US negotiated a deal. Nevertheless, Swiss products have, on average, been at a disadvantage ever since. Whilst 15 per cent was originally considered the upper limit, the new tariffs tend to be higher, particularly for textiles and clothing.

Why further negotiations are needed

It is therefore crucial to continue the negotiations and reach an agreement, as the Federal Council is currently planning. Swiss Textiles welcomes this approach.

An agreement could provide much-needed planning certainty, particularly should the US government revert to country-specific tariffs.

More on this topic: USA: What the tariff deal means for the textile industry

Swiss Textiles is continuing to monitor the situation and is on hand to advise its members.