Steel & Aluminum Tariffs: What Maryland Businesses Need to Know
By Dan Wahlberg, CPA | May 2026
If your business imports steel, aluminum, or copper — or buys from suppliers who do — the federal government just changed the rules in a significant way, and the impact on your bottom line could be substantial.
As a CPA working primarily with Maryland construction, real estate, and manufacturing companies, I’ve been closely watching the Section 232 tariff changes that took effect in April 2026. Here’s what you need to understand and what I’m telling my clients right now.
What Changed
On April 2, 2026, President Trump issued a proclamation significantly expanding the existing tariff regime on imported steel, aluminum, and copper. The changes took effect for goods entered on or after April 6, 2026. There are three things that matter most to my clients:
1. Tariffs now apply to the full value of the product, not just the metal content.
This is the biggest shift. Previously, Section 232 duties were calculated based on how much metal was actually in an imported product. Now they apply to the entire customs value of the item. For businesses importing finished goods or components that contain metal — think structural parts, machinery, building materials — this can mean a dramatically higher duty bill even if the metal is a small portion of what you’re buying.
2. New rate tiers go as high as 50%.
Rates vary based on the type of metal, the product classification, and the country of origin. Some products now face a 50% ad valorem rate. Others fall into 25% or reduced tiers depending on where the metal was smelted or cast. If your suppliers haven’t already passed these costs along, they likely will.
3. Coverage was both expanded and narrowed.
Some products that were previously exempt are now covered. Others were removed from scope entirely. You cannot assume your situation is the same as it was six months ago — a line-by-line review of what you’re importing or purchasing is essential.
What This Means for Maryland Construction and Manufacturing Businesses
For my clients in construction and real estate, steel and aluminum are core input costs. Structural steel, roofing materials, HVAC components, and wiring all have metal content that may now be subject to higher duties up the supply chain — costs that will flow into your material bids and project estimates whether you’re importing directly or buying domestically from distributors who are.
For manufacturing clients, the impact depends heavily on your product mix and sourcing. If you’re buying components from overseas suppliers, your landed costs may have increased significantly since April. If you haven’t modeled that exposure yet, now is the time.
Three Things to Do Right Now
1. Talk to your supply chain contacts.
Ask your key suppliers whether they’re absorbing these tariff increases or passing them through. Get answers in writing if you can. This affects your cost modeling for the rest of 2026.
2. Review open contracts and bids.
If you have fixed-price contracts that assumed pre-April material costs, you may have exposure. Review your escalation clauses and talk to your attorney if needed.
3. Loop in your CPA.
The Bottom Line
These tariff changes are not theoretical — they’re already affecting material costs, supplier pricing, and project budgets across the construction and manufacturing sectors. If you haven’t assessed your exposure yet, the time to do that is now, not at tax time.
If you have questions about how the Section 232 tariff changes might affect your business, I’d encourage you to reach out. This is exactly the kind of proactive advisory conversation we have with our clients at Acclare Solutions.
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Source: Section 232 Metals Tariffs Expanded and Recalibrated: What Importers Need to Know — BDO