What's the Tariff on Pickup Truck?
Light trucks already faced 25% chicken tax, now doubled.
Current Tariff Rate
50%
Pre-2025 Rate
25%
Rate Increase
+25pp
Price Impact
+50%
+$21,000
Real-World Price Impact
Before Tariffs
$42,000
Imported pickup
After Tariffs
$63,000
Imported pickup
That's $21,000 more per unit — a 50% price increase paid by the American buyer.
Note: Price estimates assume full tariff pass-through to consumers. Actual retail prices may vary — manufacturers may absorb some costs, shift production, or adjust margins.
The Story Behind This Tariff
Pickup trucks already carried the infamous 'Chicken Tax' — a 25% tariff dating to 1964 that was originally retaliation against European chicken import restrictions. The new Section 232 tariff stacks another 25% on top, creating a punishing 50% total rate. However, the practical impact is limited because the Chicken Tax already pushed virtually all pickup production to the US decades ago. Ford, GM, and Ram build nearly all full-size trucks domestically in Michigan, Texas, Kentucky, and Indiana. The tariff primarily affects the few remaining imports: Toyota Tacomas from Mexico, some Nissan Frontiers, and the emerging Chinese truck brands that were exploring US entry. The bigger story is the supply chain for parts — engines, transmissions, and electronics cross the US-Mexico-Canada border multiple times during production, and the companion 25% auto parts tariff disrupts this integrated system.
📦 Supply Chain
Primary Origin
United States
Made in USA
88%
Import Volume
$4.8B
Alternatives
Nearly all production already domestic due to Chicken Tax
📅 Tariff Timeline
1964
Chicken Tax enacted on light trucks
25%2018
Section 232 investigation covers light trucks
25%2025
Section 232 stacks on Chicken Tax
50%👥 Consumer Impact
Households Affected
35M
Annual Cost Per Household
$180
💡 Did You Know?
- •The 'Chicken Tax' was literally about chickens — a trade dispute over European restrictions on US poultry imports in 1964
- •Ford's F-150 has been America's best-selling vehicle for 42 consecutive years and is built entirely in the US
- •The Chicken Tax is why Subaru Baja and VW Amarok were never sold in America — the 25% duty killed the business case
Tariff Details
- HTS Code
- 8704.21
- Current Rate
- 50%
- Pre-2025 Rate
- 25%
- Tariff Type
- Section 232 + Chicken Tax
Legal Authority
Section 232 + Chicken Tax
Effective: 1964/2025
Historic 25% 'chicken tax' on light trucks plus new Section 232 tariff
The tariff on Pickup Truck is paid by the American importer at the port of entry and passed through to consumers as higher retail prices. The foreign manufacturer does not pay the tariff.
Who Actually Pays This Tariff?
Despite claims that tariffs are paid by foreign countries, the 50% tariff on Pickup Truck is paid by American importers — US companies that purchase these goods from abroad. The cost is then passed to American consumers through higher retail prices.
- ✓ The foreign seller receives the same price as before
- ✓ The US importer pays 50% of the customs value to CBP
- ✓ The retailer marks up the higher landed cost
- ✓ You pay more at the register: $42,000 → $63,000
Related Products in Vehicles
Sedan / Car
27.5%
Toyota Camry (imported): $28,855 → $36,785
SUV
27.5%
Volkswagen Tiguan: $30,995 → $39,519
Electric Vehicle
127.5%
Chinese EV: $25,000 → $56,875
Auto Parts
25%
Transmission assembly: $2,500 → $3,125
Tires (Passenger)
35%
Set of 4 tires: $600 → $810
Motorcycle
12.4%
Kawasaki Ninja 400: $5,299 → $5,956
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