Sheet metal and stampings, with the honest answer about Section 232.
Fabricated and stamped metal is the category where a lazy quote misleads most. Steel and aluminum content carries Section 232 from every origin, so we model it first, run the rule-of-origin analysis per part where an FTA applies, and tell you when a truck-freight origin wins on lead time — and when staying domestic is right.
What our fabrication and stamping partners run.
Fabrication
Laser and turret punch cutting, press-brake forming, hardware insertion (PEM), MIG/TIG/spot welding, riveting. Enclosures, brackets, chassis, panels, frames.
Stamping
Progressive and transfer dies, 25–800 ton presses, short-run stage tooling. Terminals, clips, brackets, deep-drawn cans and housings.
Materials
CRS, HRS, galvanized and galvannealed steel; 304/316 stainless; 5052/6061 aluminum; brass and copper alloys; pre-plated and pre-painted stock.
Finishing
Powder coat, wet paint, zinc/nickel/chrome plating, e-coat, anodize, passivation, silk screen. Finisher named and cosmetic class defined.
Assembly
Hardware installation, sub-assembly, wire harness integration, kitting and custom packaging for line-side delivery.
Documentation
Ballooned drawings, mill certs with melt-and-pour origin, plating certs, weld inspection reports, PPAP-style packages on request.
How the origin math changes when Section 232 is in play.
| Factor | China | Alt. origin · 12.5% duty | Alt. origin · FTA, 0% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 232 on steel / aluminum content (since June 8, 2026) | Applies | Applies | Applies |
| 2026 Section 301 tariff (12.5%) | Waived on Section 232 goods | Waived on Section 232 goods | Exempt if FTA-qualifying |
| China list rate (Lists 1–3 / 4A) | 25% / 7.5% | — | — |
| MFN duty | Applies | Applies | Waived if qualifying; MFN + 10% if not |
| Transit to Texas | 30–45 days ocean | 30–45 days ocean | 3–7 days truck |
| MOQ flexibility | Lower | Lower | Higher — smaller, more frequent releases |
| Where it usually wins | Complex multi-op assemblies with deep sub-supply | Light fab, aluminum extrusion products, labor-heavy assembly | Fabricated steel assemblies, stampings, anything with schedule risk |
Questions we get on this
Does Section 232 make offshore sheet metal pointless?
Not pointless, but it changes the math. Since June 8, 2026, Section 232 applies from every origin — 50% on articles essentially all steel or aluminum, 25% on derivatives — so a bracket from Shenzhen carries it and so does one from any other country, and Section 232 goods do not also pay the 12.5%. What differs is the China list rate, freight, lead time and MOQ flexibility. For many fabricated parts an origin with truck freight wins on total cost; for some, staying domestic is the honest answer and the re-quote says so.
Can a fabricator in an FTA-partner country qualify a part if the steel comes from China?
Sometimes. FTA rules of origin for fabricated steel articles generally require a tariff shift from the raw material, which fabrication usually achieves — but the steel content still carries Section 232 (with the melt-and-pour rules in effect since 2025). We do the rule-of-origin analysis per part and document it; a part that fails it pays MFN + 10%.
Do you handle progressive-die tooling?
Yes. Progressive and transfer dies are quoted with guaranteed life in strokes, titled to you, and maintained on a written schedule. Tool trials (T1–T3) are reviewed against the drawing before the FAI.
What about welded assemblies and enclosures?
Welded frames, enclosures, chassis and brackets are common. Weld specs (AWS D1.1/D1.2 or your standard), fixture ownership and cosmetic grind requirements are written into the spec and inspected at FAI.
Send us your top five SKUs. Get every viable origin back.
No commitment. In ten business days you’ll have a landed-cost comparison you can put in front of your CFO, with named factories behind every number.