Newsflash | Temporary U.S. import tariff on South African Wine exports

Dear members and wine exporters to the United States,

Following an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump on 20 February 2026, it is our interpretation that a temporary import tariff will apply to all South African wine exports entering the United States from 24 February 2026 through 24 July 2026 (a 150-day period).

The White House initially indicated that a 10% tariff would be imposed under Section 122 of U.S. trade law. However, on 21 February 2026, President Trump stated on social media that the global tariff rate under this provision would be 15%.

At the time this notice was issued, no formal executive order had yet been published confirming an increase from 10% to 15%. We are therefore monitoring developments closely and will immediately inform members once official confirmation is issued.

What we understand at this stage

• The tariff will apply to all South African wine exports entering the U.S. during the 150-day window.
• The measure is temporary and may not extend beyond 24 July 2026 without U.S. Congressional approval.
• During this period, the temporary tariff will apply as the sole additional duty, notwithstanding existing trade arrangements.
• Due to the extended AGOA agreement, we do not incur any MFN tariffs.
• The U.S. Harmonised Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) must be formally updated to operationalise the new rate. The current revision (12 February 2026) does not yet reflect this measure, but it is expected to be updated imminently.

Immediate actions for exporters

• Engage urgently with U.S. importers, distributors and customs brokers. Review shipment timing, customs entry strategies, and landed cost implications.
• Reassess pricing, contracts and inventory planning for the duration of the 150-day period.
• Closely monitor communications from South Africa Wine for further clarification.

This appears to be a temporary trade measure under specific U.S. statutory authority that allows tariffs of up to 15% for up to 150 days to address trade imbalances. The situation remains fluid, and further legal or administrative adjustments are possible.

South Africa Wine is actively monitoring developments and engaging through appropriate channels to assess potential trade and policy implications. We will provide updates as soon as official documentation is published.

For more context, read here.

Kind regards

The South Africa Wine team