The United States has announced the termination of several import tariffs that were imposed under emergency authorities. The change follows a new Executive Order ending tariff actions taken pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

While the announcement may appear broad at first glance, its scope is specific. Understanding what has changed, what has not, and why these distinctions matter is critical for importers, compliance teams, and trade professionals.

What Is the IEEPA and Why It Was Used for Tariffs

The International Emergency Economic Powers Act grants the U.S. President authority to regulate commerce after declaring a national emergency related to foreign threats. Historically, IEEPA has been used primarily for sanctions, asset freezes, and financial restrictions.

In recent years, however, it was also used to impose additional ad valorem tariffs tied to a range of policy objectives, including border security, supply chain risks, synthetic opioid enforcement, energy imports, and geopolitical disputes.

These tariffs were not based on traditional trade statutes or product specific investigations. Instead, they were rooted in emergency declarations and executive authority.

What Has Changed Under the New Executive Order

Under the Executive Order issued on February 20, 2026, the United States will stop collecting additional import duties imposed under IEEPA authority.

As of February 24, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time:

• IEEPA based additional tariffs no longer apply to goods imported for consumption
• IEEPA tariffs will also no longer apply to goods withdrawn from bonded warehouses for consumption
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection will deactivate the relevant tariff provisions in the Automated Commercial Environment

This change formally ends a group of emergency driven tariff measures that were implemented through multiple prior Executive Orders.

What This Does Not Change

The termination applies only to tariffs imposed under IEEPA authority.

It does not affect other tariff programs, including:

• Section 232 tariffs related to national security
• Section 301 tariffs addressing unfair trade practices
• Ordinary customs duties under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule

In other words, the end of IEEPA tariffs does not represent a broad rollback of U.S. trade remedies or import duties.

Why the Legal Basis of a Tariff Matters

One of the key takeaways from this development is that tariff exposure is shaped not only by product classification, but also by legal authority.

Two tariffs may appear similar in effect, but differ significantly in durability:

• Emergency based tariffs can change quickly as executive policy shifts
• Statutory tariffs often require formal investigations, public notice, and regulatory processes

For importers, this distinction affects forecasting, landed cost modeling, and long term sourcing decisions.

Implications for Importers and Compliance Programs

The end of IEEPA tariffs reduces cost exposure for certain transactions, but it also reinforces a broader compliance lesson.

Trade programs must track not only HTS codes and duty rates, but also:

• The statutory or executive authority behind each tariff
• The triggering conditions that could cause a tariff to change or expire
• The jurisdictional scope and enforcement posture of each measure

Failing to distinguish between emergency measures and permanent trade actions can lead to inaccurate assumptions about risk and cost stability.

A Reminder About Trade Volatility

This change underscores how quickly tariff landscapes can evolve. Tariffs imposed under emergency authority can be introduced, modified, or removed with relatively short notice.

For companies operating across multiple jurisdictions, tariff management is not a static exercise. It requires continuous monitoring of legal authority, enforcement trends, and policy signals.

Understanding why a tariff exists is often just as important as knowing how a product is classified.