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You can't control tariffs but you can control your response. New US trade measures could impact your sale and margins. Understand the five critical steps to safeguard your business and avail of support and resources to offset tariff disruption.
Global trade dynamics are shifting rapidly. Recent US tariffs, and the potential for escalation including taxes on services, could present significant challenges for Irish exporters that sell to the United States.
Margin erosion: Tariffs will increase your costs and squeeze your profit margins
Customer relationship strain: Rising prices and uncertainly may push your US buyers to look for alternatives.
Supply chain disruption: Tariffs may cause delays and complications in getting your products to market.
Competitive disadvantage: Non-tariffed competitors could seize greater market share.
Cash flow pressure: Tariffs bring unexpected costs and delays, which could impact your working capital.
Don't wait for tariffs to hit your bottom line.
Understand more about the impact of our tariffs with our export-focused webinars.
Protect your export business with this management checklist to help you offset the impact of US tariffs.
Assign a Tariff Lead
Appoint a senior team member of monitor tariff developments, assess their impact and coordinate your response. This person should track policy changes, communicate with your stakeholders and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. With a clear point of contact and accountability, you can ensure critical deadlines are not missed.
Talk to your US Buyers
Reach out to your key US customers now. Discuss how potential tariffs might affect pricing, delivery and contract terms. Be transparent about challenges, but focus on solutions. With early communication you can maintain strong relationships.
Review Liability
Carefully examine your existing contracts with US customers and suppliers. Understand clauses related to pricing, delivery and liability for increased costs due to tariffs. Seek legal advice if necessary to clarify obligations and negotiate protections in future contracts.
Ensure Proper Classification
Verify that your products are correctly classified under customs codes. Consult with customs experts to ensure accuracy. Misclassification can result in higher duties, delays or penalties. Consider whether minor product modifications could move you into a more favourable tariff category.
Plan for Disruption
Develop alternative strategies to address potential supply chain and market access issues. This could include adjusting pricing strategies, diversifying into new markets, improving your competitiveness or exploring alternative suppliers.
Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish exporters through these challenging times. Explore our resources and supports to help your company prepare for trade challenges:
Explore our webinars to gain a deeper understanding of trade tariffs and their impacts
Our upcoming webinar will be led by Professor of Finance and Head of the Finance Department at IESE Business School, Carles Vergara.
In this webinar session, Carol Lynch at BDO will examine the European Commission’s proposed countermeasures to U.S. tariffs, with a particular focus on their potential impact on the Irish food and beverage sector.
Delivered by Dr. Colm Reilly who has long experience in international trade, pricing strategies, and tariff policy, bringing over 30 years of global experience to this conversation.
Enterprise Ireland, in partnership with PwC recently hosted a “Trade, Tariffs and More” webinar that provided an overview of the newly introduced tariffs in the US, explored future considerations for cross-border trade, and discussed tax and trade policies. Please register through the link below.
In this expert-led session, international trade specialist Sam Lowe and the Flint Global trade team examined the shifting landscape of US and EU trade policy and its potential impact on Irish exporters.
Support to access external expertise to address critical business needs.
Hire an external strategy consultant for greater efficiency and growth
Develop market entry strategies with funding of up to €150,000
5 or 10 day senior management programme to develop strategic roadmap
Find out how we are supporting businesses to explore international exporting opportunities to drive global growth
Develop new products, services and processes
Introduce new technology and digital processes with funding of up to €150,000
Please note that this webpage was last updated on 09.05.2025. Due to the fluidity of the situation and ongoing announcements, some information may no longer be accurate. While Enterprise Ireland endeavour to be as helpful as possible to clients, we cannot provide legal or tariff advice or interpretations. Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, clients should consult sources directly, and if necessary, to obtain professional and/or legal advice.
Not all goods are included.
Annex II currently contains a list of relevant Harmonised Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes exempt from the recent US tariff announcements. On April 11, 2025, the White House issued the Clarification Memorandum, detailing additional HTS codes that are exempt from the reciprocal tariffs under previous Executive Orders. Please note that exemptions are subject to change as new announcements are made and Executive Orders are signed.
The new 10% tariffs are imposed in addition to the existing Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs.
Goods that were loaded and in final transport mode before 12:01 AM (ET) on April 5, 2025, and that arrive in the U.S. before May 27, 2025, are exempt from the 10% reciprocal tariff.
The Harmonised Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a system to classify categories of products imported into the US. It sets out the tariff rates and statistical categories for all products imported into the US. HTS codes are 10- digit classification numbers which determine the tariff rates and duties applied to imported products.
The US International Trade Commission offers an interactive training module to support exporters in gaining a basic understanding of the HTS, including guidance on how to read the tariff schedule.
Annex II currently contains a list of relevant HTS codes excluded from the recent US tariff announcements. Furthermore, on April 11, 2025, the White House issued the Clarification Memorandum that provides an additional list of HTS codes that are exempt from the reciprocal and baseline tariffs under previous Executive Orders.
These codes relate to goods including smartphones, computers, monitors, and various other electronic components. Please visit this link for a full list of the associated HTS codes and further information.
If a product is deemed to be "made in China" and is shipped through Ireland, it will be subject to Chinese tariffs according to US rules of origin. Understanding your HTS codes is vital, as is understanding their rules of origin. It is important to distinguish where your product was technically made (i.e. The EU, China or elsewhere).
If more than one country is involved, the country of origin is determined by where the last ‘substantial transformation’ occurred. This refers to the creation of a ‘new article with a different name, character and use.’
The de minimis exemption for Chinese products has been removed. The de minimis rule currently remains in place for non-Chinese US imports but there is an understanding that this may be removed in the future.
New rates for de minimis postal shipments from China have been updated as follows and are effective May 2, 2025:
Ad valorem duty: 120 percent of the value of the postal item,
or
Carriers will continue to determine monthly which duty they will impose, and that selection will apply to all shipments brought in by that carrier.
The country of origin is defined by US Customs and Boarder Protection as the ‘country of manufacture, production, or growth of the article.’ If more than one country is involved, the country where the last ‘substantial transformation’ occurred.
This refers to the creation of a ‘new article with a different name, character and use’. For textiles and apparels for example, the second country is deemed to be the country of origin.
Currently tariffs only apply to physical products being imported or exported. However, we encourage all clients to engage closely with US customers, partners and suppliers as we do not know how services will be affected in the future.
This a dynamic and evolving situation, and Enterprise Ireland remains committed to supporting Irish-owned exporting companies as they navigate this shift in global trade, by providing resources, guidance, and strategic support to help client companies to mitigate the impact of tariffs.
For detailed information on supports and how we can help you, please visit our ‘Business Supports in Response to Trade Tariffs’ webpage.
We are also encouraging all clients to contact their dedicated Enterprise Ireland Client Advisor to discuss their situation and what options may be available to them. Contact us at ExportTariffs@enterprise-ireland.com.
We would encourage all clients to contact their dedicated Enterprise Ireland client advisor to discuss support options available. Contact us at ExportTariffs@enterprise-ireland.com.
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