US tuna tariff-rate quota set for 2026
The US International Trade Commission has announced the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for canned tuna classifiable under HTSUS subheading 1604.14.22 for calendar year 2026. The quota is calculated annually as a percentage of tuna in airtight containers entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption in the prior year. Importers of canned tuna products must monitor quota fill rates to determine applicable duty rates, as shipments above the quota threshold face higher tariffs.
Photo: Mitchell Soeharsono / PexelsUS Announces 2026 Tuna Tariff-Rate Quota
On June 3, 2026, the U.S. Federal Register published the annual tariff-rate quota (TRQ) determination for canned tuna products classified under HTSUS subheading 1604.14.22. According to the notice, "the tariff-rate quota for tuna described in subheading 1604.14.22, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), is calculated as a percentage of the tuna in airtight containers entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption during the preceding calendar year."
Who Is Affected
Importers and distributors of canned tuna products—particularly those sourced from countries with significant tuna-canning industries such as Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia—must track 2026 quota allocations. Shipments within the annual TRQ threshold enter at the in-quota duty rate, typically much lower than out-of-quota rates. Once the quota is exhausted, subsequent entries face significantly higher tariffs, materially affecting landed costs.
Manufacturers and retailers relying on canned tuna for retail or food-service applications should coordinate import timing with quota-fill projections. The quota applies specifically to tuna packed in airtight containers (HS Chapter 16, canned seafood products).
Timing and Compliance
The TRQ is recalculated each year based on the prior calendar year's import volume. For 2026, the quota reflects 2025 consumption patterns. Shippers must obtain the exact quota quantity from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and plan import schedules accordingly. First-come, first-served administration means early importers benefit from lower in-quota rates; late importers face out-of-quota penalties.
What this means for shippers
Importers of canned tuna must immediately verify the 2026 quota ceiling with CBP and adjust sourcing and logistics schedules to secure in-quota entry during Q1–Q2 2026. Shipping too late in the year risks out-of-quota tariffs that can increase landed cost by 30–50%. Confirm HS classification (1604.14.22) with your customs broker now to avoid misclassification penalties. Use landed-cost modeling to compare in-quota vs. out-of-quota scenarios and lock supplier contracts accordingly.
