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NMMA hosted a member-only webinar on Feb. 26 to provide a high-level update on the rapidly evolving trade and tariff environment impacting the recreational boating industry. From new tariff authorities to ongoing investigations and refund procedures, the landscape remains fluid and complex.

Members received updates on expanded Section 232 activity, including the new inclusion process that has added over the last several months additional marine-related HTS codes to the 50 percent steel and aluminum tariff list. NMMA has filed multiple comment letters opposing inclusion requests that would directly impact marine manufacturers and continues to monitor related investigations involving materials such as copper and other critical inputs.

The webinar also covered the Supreme Court’s recent decision limiting the use of IEEPA to impose tariffs. The U.S. Court of International Trade will now determine the process for issuing refunds on IEEPA tariffs but is expected to take time.

In parallel, the administration has invoked Section 122 to impose a temporary (150-day) 10 percent tariff on most imports, while continuing to rely on Section 232 and Section 301 authorities for longer-term trade strategy. These mechanisms may lead to additional investigations and tariff exposure in the months ahead. While the president has indicated he intends to raise the tariff from 10% to 15%, so far, the tariff remains at 10%. Guidance on the Section 122 tariffs can be found here.

Throughout the discussion, NMMA emphasized its ongoing advocacy on behalf of the industry. Over the past year, NMMA has filed more than 25 trade-related comment letters and engaged directly with federal agencies and congressional committees to protect marine manufacturers.