New U.S. Customs Regulation: What Serbian Exporters Need to Know in 2025 July 15, 2025 The United States has introduced a wave of new customs regulations and tariff increases in 2025, aimed at reshaping trade dynamics, reducing dependency on certain regions, and strengthening national supply chain oversight. While much of the global focus has been on U.S.-China trade tensions, the implications for Serbian exporters—particularly in key sectors like machinery, electronics, automotive parts, and steel—are significant and immediate. For companies exporting goods to the U.S., these changes mean stricter documentation requirements, heightened customs scrutiny, and—in many cases—higher import duties. Serbian businesses should act now to adapt their compliance procedures and commercial strategies to protect their U.S. operations and maintain competitiveness. Tariff Increases: What’s Changing in 2025? In May 2025, the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office finalized its review of the Section 301 tariffs and introduced a new tariff framework targeting strategic imports, particularly from sectors deemed critical to U.S. manufacturing and national security. While the primary target is China, these measures affect all exporters, including those from Serbia, who supply goods in categories impacted by the revised Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Here’s a snapshot of notable tariff increases relevant to Serbian exporters: Electric vehicles (EVs) and certain EV components: 100% tariff Steel and aluminum products (including rolled, coated, or processed forms): raised from 7.5% to 25% Semiconductors and electronic assemblies: increased from zero or low duties to 15% – 25% Medical equipment and diagnostic instruments: newly subject to 10% – 15% tariffs Industrial machinery and tools: generally affected by new tariffs ranging between 10% and 20%, depending on classification Lithium-ion batteries and battery inputs: increased up to 25% Even though Serbia is not directly subject to U.S. trade penalties like China, Serbian-origin goods using components from China or countries subject to Section 301 penalties may face the same tariffs, especially if CBP (Customs and Border Protection) determines that the origin of the critical inputs is not properly documented or declared. This underscores the need for precise tariff classification, full documentation, and legally solid supply chain declarations. Serbian exporters should not assume that their goods are exempt simply because they originate in a non-target country. Customs Enforcement and Documentation Requirements U.S. Customs is now enforcing compliance through increased post-entry audits, random inspections, and a heightened focus on supply chain traceability. Under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), any goods suspected of links to forced labor—especially in western China—can be detained or rejected unless the importer can clearly document the origin of each material or component. Serbian companies exporting goods to the U.S., particularly those using Asian suppliers, should be ready to submit comprehensive documentation, including: Supplier origin statements Manufacturing flow charts Bills of materials (BOM) Country-of-origin certificates Contracts and declarations confirming ethical sourcing Failure to provide adequate proof may result in delays, penalties, or seizure of goods by U.S. Customs. Implications for Serbian Exporters This new environment will particularly affect Serbian companies in the automotive, engineering, IT hardware, and construction sectors, as well as pharma and industrial packaging. Serbian exporters who have U.S. subsidiaries or deliver DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) must ensure that their brokers are fully ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) compliant. Incorrect or incomplete filings could expose the company to additional tariffs, compliance violations, or loss of trade privileges. It is also critical for Serbian companies to re-evaluate their commercial contracts, particularly those involving pricing and delivery terms. With certain tariffs now as high as 100%, pricing models must be reviewed to remain commercially viable. In many cases, switching to EXW or FOB Incoterms may help mitigate customs exposure and shift responsibility to the U.S. buyer. Next Steps: What You Can Do Serbian businesses exporting to the U.S. should immediately: Conduct a customs classification review to ensure their goods are assigned the correct HTS codes under the new U.S. schedule. Perform a supply chain audit to trace the origin of key components and identify exposure to Chinese-origin or restricted-source materials. Update contracts to reflect revised Incoterms and price structures that account for new tariffs. Partner with experienced U.S.-based customs brokers and legal advisors to manage filings and compliance procedures. Even companies that do not directly export to the U.S. but work through distributors or OEM partnerships should review their obligations, as indirect exposure is now a growing risk.
