# US Tariffs Remain in Legal Chaos: Section 122 Heads Towards July Deadline

**Category:** Customs  |  **Source:** Frachtportal Redaktion  |  **Published:** 2026-06-09  |  **Updated:** 2026-07-31

**Tags:** US Zölle, Section 122, Zollrecht USA, US Import, Trump Tariffs, Import Compliance, US Zoll, Zollchaos, Section 301, Frachtportal News, Freight News, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Seefracht, Schienentransport, Digitalisierung, Zoll

> The USA is using Section 122 as a substitute for overturned tariff rules. However, these tariffs are only temporary and remain legally controversial.

---

The US customs policy remains opaque. After previous customs measures have been legally challenged, the US government is now using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 as a substitute solution.

Section 122 allows for temporary import tariffs. The cap is set at a maximum of 15 percent and lasts for no more than 150 days. For this reason, the topic is coming into sharper focus this June: The deadline approaches in July, and it remains unclear what will happen afterwards.

For importers, 15 percent initially sounds less dramatic than previous extreme tariffs. However, the situation is still far from calm. The Section 122 tariffs are also being legally challenged. At the same time, the US government is reviewing additional customs instruments, for instance, under Section 301.

For shippers, freight forwarders, and importers, this means: US shipments continue to pose a customs risk. It is not enough to enter a customs rate once and assume it will remain valid for months. The legal basis can change, courts can intervene, and new customs measures can be introduced.

This is why customs tariff numbers, country of origin, Incoterms, and clear contractual clauses are particularly important. Who bears the customs risk if duties change between ordering, shipping, and arrival? This very question should now be clearly addressed.

In short: The USA remains a challenging market in terms of customs. Section 122 buys the government time, but it does not resolve the issue definitively.

---

For shippers and freight forwarders, this means: Do not underestimate the calculations for USA imports. Customs costs can change, even if the goods are already on their way.
Clean HS codes, clear origin declarations, and unambiguous Incoterms are important. Even more crucial is the question of who ultimately pays when suddenly new tariffs or additional claims arise.
In short: For USA shipments, it's better to double-check. Customs is currently not only expensive but also legally precarious.

---

The USA is using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 as a temporary tariff basis.

Section 122 allows for import tariffs of up to 15 percent.

The duration is limited to a maximum of 150 days.

Without Congress, this period cannot simply be extended indefinitely.

The Section 122 tariffs have been in effect since February 2026 and are coming back into focus due to the July deadline.

The tariffs are legally disputed and are being challenged in US courts.

The US government is concurrently reviewing additional tariff instruments, including Section 301.

For importers, it remains uncertain which tariffs will persist in the long term.

Affected are companies that deliver goods to or import into the USA.

## Related Entities

### Countries

- [United States of America](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/us)

### Glossary

- [Importer](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/importer-2)
- [Shipment](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/shipment)
- [Freight forwarder](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/freight-forwarder)
- [Customs tariff number](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-tariff-number-2)
- [Arrival](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/arrival)
- [customs risk](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-risk)

---

*Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/us-zoelle-bleiben-im-rechts-chaos-section-122-laeuft-richtung-juli-frist-20260609172757](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/us-zoelle-bleiben-im-rechts-chaos-section-122-laeuft-richtung-juli-frist-20260609172757)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/us-zoelle-bleiben-im-rechts-chaos-section-122-laeuft-richtung-juli-frist-20260609172757](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/us-zoelle-bleiben-im-rechts-chaos-section-122-laeuft-richtung-juli-frist-20260609172757)*