Section 301 Investigation 2026: Every Country, Sector, and Deadline Importers Need to Know
USTR launched two massive Section 301 investigations on March 11, 2026 — one targeting structural excess capacity in 16 economies across 21 manufacturing sectors, and another targeting forced labor enforcement failures in 60 economies covering 99% of US imports. Public comments closed April 15. Hearings run April 28 through May 8 at USITC. Here's what importers need to know about exposure, timelines, and what comes next.
Published April 16, 2026
On March 11, 2026, USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer launched the most sweeping Section 301 investigations in the statute's history. Not one investigation — two. Running simultaneously. Covering virtually every major US trading partner.
This isn't a theoretical exercise. These investigations are the direct replacement for IEEPA tariffs after the Supreme Court struck them down in February. Section 122 tariffs (the 10% temporary bridge) expire July 24. Section 301 has no rate cap and no expiration. This is the permanent tariff framework being built right now.
If you import from any of the countries below, you need to understand your exposure.
Two Investigations, Two Tracks
USTR is running parallel investigations under separate legal theories. A country can appear in one or both.
Track 1: Structural Excess Capacity (16 Economies)
Docket: USTR-2026-0067 Federal Register: 2026-05214
This investigation targets government-sustained manufacturing capacity that "persistently exceeds domestic and global demand." USTR uses 80% capacity utilization as the benchmark — below that, they consider production "untethered" from market signals.
The 16 economies: China, EU, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India.
21 targeted manufacturing sectors:
| Sector | Sector | Sector | |---|---|---| | Aluminum | Glass | Satellites | | Automobiles | Machine tools | Semiconductors | | Batteries | Machinery | Ships | | Cement | Non-ferrous metals | Solar modules | | Chemicals | Paper | Steel | | Electronics | Plastics | Transportation equipment | | Energy goods | Processed food & beverages | Robotics |
Track 2: Forced Labor Enforcement Failures (60 Economies)
Docket: USTR-2026-0133 Federal Register: 2026-05151
This investigation examines whether trading partners adequately prohibit and enforce bans on importing goods made with forced labor. The benchmark? US enforcement under Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).
The scope is enormous: 60 economies representing 99% of 2024 US imports. The full list: Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, EU, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkiye, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
This track is sector-agnostic — it applies to all "goods produced with forced labor" without limiting to specific industries.
The 16 Excess Capacity Economies: Your Exposure Breakdown
Here's where the investigation hits importers hardest. I've listed each economy with the investigation track, key sectors at risk, and links to current tariff data.
| Economy | Track | Key Sectors at Risk | Existing US Tariffs | Tariff Data | |---|---|---|---|---| | China | Both | Manufacturing broadly — all 21 sectors | 301 (25-100%) + 232 (50%) + 122 (10%) | China rates | | EU | Both | Steel, aluminum, autos, chemicals | 232 (50%) + 122 (10%) | — | | Japan | Both | Autos, electronics, machinery, steel | 122 (10%), some 232 | Japan rates | | South Korea | Both | Electronics, batteries, steel, autos | KORUS FTA + 122 (10%) | South Korea rates | | India | Both | Chemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, steel | 122 (10%) | India rates | | Vietnam | Both | Textiles, electronics, seafood, furniture | 122 (10%) | Vietnam rates | | Mexico | Both | Autos, auto parts, steel, food & bev | USMCA + 232 (25-50%) | Mexico rates | | Taiwan | Both | Semiconductors, electronics, machinery | 122 (10%) | Taiwan rates | | Thailand | Both | Electronics, food & bev, rubber, autos | 122 (10%) | Thailand rates | | Indonesia | Both | Paper, palm oil, textiles, non-ferrous metals | 122 (10%) | Indonesia rates | | Malaysia | Both | Electronics, solar modules, rubber, palm oil | 122 (10%) | Malaysia rates | | Singapore | Both | Electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals | US-Singapore FTA + 122 (10%) | Singapore rates | | Cambodia | Both | Textiles, footwear, processed food | 122 (10%) | Cambodia rates | | Bangladesh | Both | Textiles, apparel (overwhelmingly garments) | 122 (10%) | Bangladesh rates | | Switzerland | Both | Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, watches | 122 (10%) | Switzerland rates | | Norway | Both | Aluminum, energy goods, seafood | 122 (10%) | Norway rates |
Use our tariff calculator to look up current duty rates on specific HTS codes from any of these countries.
Key Deadlines and Timeline
| Date | Event | Status | |---|---|---| | March 11, 2026 | Investigations initiated | Done | | March 17, 2026 | Federal Register notices published | Done | | April 15, 2026 | Public comment deadline (both tracks) | Today | | April 28 – May 1, 2026 | USITC hearings: forced labor track | Upcoming | | May 5 – May 8, 2026 | USITC hearings: excess capacity track | Upcoming | | ~May 8-15, 2026 | Post-hearing rebuttal comments due (7 days after final hearing day) | Upcoming | | July 24, 2026 | Section 122 tariffs expire | — | | Late 2026 – early 2027 | Expected tariff actions based on investigation findings | — |
Hearings are at the US International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Sessions start at 10:00 AM ET daily.
Why This Matters: Section 301 vs. Section 122
Here's the part most importers miss. The current 10% Section 122 tariff expires July 24 — that's a hard legal deadline. Congress must extend it (unlikely) or it simply lapses.
Section 301 is the replacement. And it's a completely different animal:
| Feature | Section 122 (Current) | Section 301 (Coming) | |---|---|---| | Rate cap | 15% maximum | No statutory cap | | Duration | 150 days, then expires | No expiration | | Scope | Global, non-discriminatory | Country-specific, product-specific | | Investigation | None required | Yes — with public comment and hearings | | Legal track record | First-ever use, facing lawsuits | "Withstood over 4,000 legal challenges" (per Treasury Sec. Bessent) |
Section 301 tariffs on China already range from 7.5% to 100% depending on the product list. There's nothing preventing rates from going higher on new investigations.
The administration has been clear about the intent. These investigations were likely pre-drafted before the Supreme Court ruling — USTR confirmed the measures address "the heart of the President's reciprocal tariff program." The 135-day window from March 11 to July 24 is the critical period.
The Tariff Stacking Problem
For many importers, the real pain isn't any single tariff — it's the stack. Here's what a China importer currently faces on certain products:
- Section 122: 10%
- Section 232: 25-50% (steel, aluminum, copper, autos)
- Section 301 (existing): 25-100% (depending on list)
- Potential new Section 301: TBD
Cumulative rates already exceed 100% on some Chinese goods. With USMCA under formal review starting July 1, 2026, even Mexican and Canadian imports aren't immune — the administration is pushing for increased auto-content minimums and closure of transshipment loopholes.
Note: 178 existing Section 301 product exclusions on China have been extended through November 10, 2026. If your products have exclusions, confirm they're still active.
How Importers Should Prepare
1. Map Your Exposure
Go through your import data for the past 12 months. For each country you source from:
- Is it on the excess capacity list (16 economies)?
- Is it on the forced labor list (60 economies)?
- Which of the 21 targeted sectors do your products fall into?
Our country tariff pages show current rates for 90+ countries. Cross-reference with your HTS codes using our HTS lookup tool.
2. Review Supply Chain Alternatives
If you're heavily concentrated in one of the 16 excess capacity economies, now is the time to evaluate alternatives — before new tariffs are announced, not after. Countries NOT on the excess capacity list (but still on the forced labor list) may face lower tariffs: Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Colombia, Peru.
3. Monitor Hearing Transcripts
The April 28 – May 8 hearings will signal which countries and sectors face the highest tariff risk. USITC posts transcripts. Pay attention to:
- Which industries provide the most testimony
- Which countries are most frequently cited
- Whether USTR signals specific tariff rate ranges
4. Strengthen Compliance Documentation
If you're importing from countries under the forced labor investigation, ensure your supply chain documentation can demonstrate compliance with forced labor standards. This is already required under UFLPA for Chinese goods — but the investigation signals expansion to 60 economies.
5. Review Contractual Tariff Allocation
Check whether your supplier contracts allocate tariff costs or allow price adjustments. If new Section 301 tariffs add 25-50% to your landed cost, who absorbs that?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are under Section 301 investigation in 2026?
16 economies face the structural excess capacity investigation: China, EU, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India. 60 economies face the forced labor investigation, covering 99% of US imports.
When will new Section 301 tariffs take effect?
No tariffs have been imposed yet — these are investigations, not tariff actions. The timeline suggests tariff actions in late 2026 or early 2027, but the administration may accelerate given the July 24 Section 122 expiration.
How do Section 301 investigations work?
USTR publishes Federal Register notices initiating the investigation, takes public comments, holds hearings at USITC, analyzes the evidence, and issues a determination. If practices are found to be "unreasonable or discriminatory," the President can impose tariffs with no rate cap and no expiration.
Will Section 301 tariffs replace Section 122 tariffs?
That's the explicit intent. Section 122 is a temporary "bridge" (expires July 24, 2026). Section 301 provides the legal basis for permanent, country-specific, product-specific tariff actions.
How do existing Section 301 China tariffs interact with new investigations?
The existing Section 301 tariffs (Lists 1-4, 2018-2019, rates of 7.5-100%) remain in force. New Section 301 tariffs from the current investigation would be additional — they'd stack on top of existing rates. China faces the most extreme cumulative tariff exposure.
Can I still submit public comments?
The deadline was April 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. If you missed it, you can still request to appear at the hearings (April 28 – May 1 for forced labor, May 5 – May 8 for excess capacity) at the USTR Comments Portal. Post-hearing rebuttal comments are due 7 days after the final hearing day.
What to Watch Next
The next 90 days are critical for any business importing from these economies:
- April 28 – May 8: USITC hearings. Watch for testimony patterns and USTR signals on sectors and rates.
- May ~15: Post-hearing rebuttal comments close.
- July 1: USMCA formal review begins — could affect Canada and Mexico tariff preferences.
- July 24: Section 122 tariffs expire. If Section 301 tariffs aren't ready, there could be a brief gap with no replacement.
- Late 2026: Expected USTR determination and potential tariff actions.
We'll update this guide as hearings conclude and new information becomes available. Subscribe to our newsletter for tariff policy updates.
Check your current tariff exposure with our tariff calculator — it covers all active tariff programs.
Already paid IEEPA duties? File for your IEEPA tariff refund through the CAPE portal (opens April 20).
Understanding the existing tariff landscape? Read our Section 301, 232, and 201 Tariffs Explained guide for the full history.