What is the average US tariff rate ?

Refreshed monthly
About 6.8% in June 2026. The average effective tariff rate shows how much the US collects in customs duties as a percentage of the total value of imported goods. However, imports may have different tariff rates (or none at all) depending on factors like country of origin, product type, trade agreements, and much more.

6.8%

Average effective tariff rate (June 2026)

7.6%

Average effective tariff rate (2025)

What is an effective tariff rate?

The “effective tariff rate” is based on estimated customs duties: tariffs and other import-related fees that the US collects on goods brought into the country. These estimates don’t always match the exact amount importers paid. Why?

  • Some goods qualify for partial or full duty-free treatment (like some goods made by a trading partner with a free trade agreement). That can make duties look higher than what was actually paid.
  • For goods with special or variable rates, customs may report a dutiable value but not calculate the duty. That makes the estimate lower than the true amount.

Because of these adjustments, the figures are best understood as approximations of the effective tariff rate, not precise dollar-for-dollar payments.

In 2025, the average effective tariff rate was 7.6%. Over the first six months of 2026, the rate was 7.5%. The rate in June 2026 was 6.8%, 2.5 percentage points lower than the same month in 2025.

The average effective tariff rate was 6.8% in June 2026.

Monthly average effective tariff rate (customs duty revenue as a share of good imports)

How have tariff rates varied over time?

Before the federal income tax was established, tariffs and other customs charges were the largest source of federal revenues in the 18th and 19th centuries. Between 1863 and 1914, about half of federal revenue came from customs duties and half from internal sources such as excise taxes. By 1915, income taxes and other internal revenue had become the government's largest source of revenue, and customs duties played a smaller role.

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From 1891 to 1914, the average effective tariff rate was about 23.2%. The rate mostly decreased over the following decades until it increased from 2018 to 2021. In 2025, the rate was 7.6%, an increase from 2.4% in 2024.

In 2025, the average effective tariff rate was 7.6%.

Average effective tariff rate (customs duty revenue as a share of good imports)

How are tariff rates determined?

The tariff rate on imported goods depends largely on where those goods originate. US trade policy uses a mix of tools to raise or lower rates by country, such as:
  • Trade agreements: Free trade agreements, like the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), set many tariffs at zero between partners. The US has free trade agreements with 20 countries.
  • Normal trade relations: Most countries trade with the US under “normal trade relations” status, which provides standard tariff rates.
  • Special cases: Some nations, including Cuba, Russia, Belarus, and North Korea, do not have “normal trade relations” status. Imports from these countries face higher rates set by law.
  • Preference programs: Some developing countries qualify for reduced rates under special programs. For example, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) lets many sub-Saharan African nations export textiles and other goods duty-free.
  • Product mix: The types of goods imported from a country also matter. For example, agricultural products or textiles may carry higher rates than raw materials like metals or oil.
These factors explain why the map shows clusters of low rates among US trade partners and higher rates for countries without trade agreements or special status.

What countries have the highest tariffs?

In 2025, the highest average tariff rates were on goods imports from China, Bangladesh, and Burma, each above 10%. Rates ranged from 30.6% in China to 0% in many countries, including Sudan and South Sudan. 31 countries had a rate higher than 10%.
By June 2026, the highest effective tariff rate was 39.6% on imports from Bahrain followed by Azerbaijan (34.7%) and Belarus (34.1%).

In June 2026, Bahrain had the highest tariff rate at 39.6%.

Average effective tariff rate, by country or geographic area (June 2026 and 2025)

Tariff rates also vary depending on the type of goods imported. Categories such as apparel and textiles tend to face higher average rates, while raw materials and agricultural products often face lower rates.
In 2025, the highest average effective tariff rate was for articles of iron and steel at 29.1%. In June 2026, it was articles of iron and steel at 41.4%.

Average effective tariff rates, by goods imports categories

Average effective tariff rates, by goods imports categories
1.

Articles of iron and steel

41.4%
2.

Aluminum and articles thereof

41.1%
3.

Iron and steel

27.6%
4.

Articles of leather, saddles, travel goods, handbags, & animal gut articles

23.5%
5.

Apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

22.3%
6.

Apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

22%
7.

Footwear, gaiter, & parts of such articles

21.4%
8.

Knitted or crocheted fabrics

20.1%
9.

Railway or tramway locomotives, track fixtures, mechanical traffic signalling equipment, etc.

18.1%
10.

Special woven fabrics, textile fabrics, lace, tapestries, etc.

17.6%

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.