Modifying Duties Addressing the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People's Republic of China
The order reduces the additional tariff on all Chinese goods — originally imposed under a declared national emergency over fentanyl — from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective November 10, 2025, in response to China's commitments to curb fentanyl shipments to the United States.
It preserves the underlying emergency and authorizes the administration to raise duties again if China fails to follow through on its commitments.
What this order does
What it orders
The order cuts the additional tariff on all goods imported from the People's Republic of China from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective November 10, 2025. It amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (the official schedule listing duty rates for imported goods) by replacing the 20-percent rate with 10 percent in the relevant headings. The order directs the Department of Homeland Security to determine whether any further technical changes to the tariff schedule are needed and to publish them in the Federal Register.
The order does not end the underlying national emergency declared in February 2025 over China's role in the fentanyl supply chain. DHS is directed to monitor China's progress in carrying out its commitments — including stopping shipments of certain chemicals used to make fentanyl — and to recommend further action, including restoring higher duties, if those commitments are not met.
Who it affects
U.S. importers of goods made in China, who will pay a lower additional tariff rate on those shipments. American businesses and consumers purchasing goods that move through Chinese supply chains are indirectly affected. Chinese exporters shipping to the U.S. market also feel the change.
Why it matters
Importers of Chinese goods will pay a 10-percent additional duty instead of 20 percent starting November 10, 2025, directly reducing import costs on a broad range of products. Whether rates stay low depends on China following through on fentanyl-control pledges — the order preserves authority to reverse the cut.
What must happen and when
How the order is supposed to work
The tariff reduction is self-executing: it takes effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on November 10, 2025, through direct amendments to HTSUS headings. DHS may make additional schedule corrections by Federal Register notice. DHS then serves as the ongoing monitor, consulting State and Treasury to track China's compliance with fentanyl commitments. If China falls short, the President retains authority — delegated in part to the DHS Secretary — to reimpose higher duties under IEEPA without new legislation. A severability clause keeps the rest of the order intact if any single provision is struck down.
Actions and deadlines
- Reduce additional tariff on Chinese goods from 20 percent to 10 percent in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule
- Determine whether additional HTSUS modifications are needed and publish them in the Federal Register
- Monitor PRC compliance with fentanyl-control commitments and periodically update the President
- Recommend further action, including potential duty increases, if PRC fails to fulfill its commitments