Importers of HS 8481.90 (of copper) from Vietnam actually paid 12.85% on the taxed portion of the value in 2026-06 — 12.8% across everything shipped, taxed or not. Measured from official duty receipts, not the rulebook: the statutory MFN base rate on this code is 3%. Over the window the rate on the taxed portion moved 4.4% → 12.85%, with the largest single step -9pp in 2026-03. Measured from official US duty receipts · as-of 2026-06 · confidence: measured, not modelled. The HTS base rate is 3% — importers actually paid 12.85%, so the trade-war overlay added 9.8 pts, measured at the border (not a summed rulebook estimate). Reproduce exactly: tariff_story(hs: "8481.90", origin: "Vietnam") · see it at trimtabist.com/tariffs
HS 8481.90. The schedule base rate is 3%; importers from Vietnam actually paid 12.85% on the dutiable value in 2026-06 — the trade-war overlay added 9.8 points, measured at the border. Measured, not modelled.
Over the window the collected rate moved 4.4% (2023-07) → 12.85% (2026-06), largest single step -9pp in 2026-03.
Vietnam's lower duty (12.8% vs 26.98%) lets it price up to 12.6% above China at the factory and still match on duty-inclusive customs cost. But on the LATEST measured prices, China actually lands cheaper — $7.43/kg vs $11.82/kg (duty in, freight out).
All goods from Vietnam · the whole tariff ledger · 4 CBP rulings cite this code · reproduce: tariff_story(hs: "8481.90", origin: "Vietnam") via /connect. Not customs or legal advice.