08/13/2026
The past year plus has already been a whirlwind with constant changing and rising tariffs. The inclusion of brass instruments under proposed Section 232 measures will put more strain on the budgets of families and school music programs.
Our business provides instruments, rentals, repairs, and educational support that help students participate in school music programs. Because many instruments and components are sourced globally, increased tariffs and restrictions would lead to higher costs that are ultimately borne by schools, taxpayers, and families.
We also find it concerning that the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is evaluating musical instruments within a framework designed to address national security concerns. While we fully support efforts to protect our nation's security, we believe musical instruments belong in a very different category. In our experience, musicians contribute to national strength by fostering creativity, discipline, emotional expression, and community. A trumpet may stir a crowd or inspire a student, but it is unlikely to pose a threat to national security.
The result of these measures could be:
• Higher instrument and rental costs for families
• Increased pressure on school music budgets
• Delayed instrument replacement cycles
• Reduced participation in school music programs
Music education delivers lasting academic, social, and personal benefits to students in every community. Policies that increase costs throughout the music products supply chain put those opportunities at risk.
If this concerns you, we ask that you reach out to our representatives in the Senate and House to bring this issue to their attention. Senator Amy Klobuchar Senator Tina Smith Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach
Statement from NAMM President and CEO on Section 232 Addition of Brass-wind Instruments:
The Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) notice proposing the inclusion brass-wind musical instruments and their parts and accessories within the scope of Section 232 duties on steel, aluminum, and copper derivative articles will further harm the American businesses, musicians, and children.
Over 25 million students participate in school music each year, supported by a network of thousands of American retailers who have imported and supplied these instruments for decades. These students feed the pipeline of American musicians who contribute to the creative economy that produces $1.17 trillion of economic activity, accounts for 4.2 percent of U.S. GDP, and provides 5.4 million arts and cultural jobs nationwide according to a 2025 report by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
There is absolutely no national security risk with musical instruments, and in fact, the opposite is true. Music making has been one of the most culturally uniting activities for thousands of years.
NAMM strongly opposes the addition of brass-wind musical instruments and parts and accessories (HTSUS 9205.10.0000 and 9209.99.4080) in the proposed Section 232 and will be filing comments against them to the Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS), U.S. Department of Commerce. NAMM has been consistent in this message, including the excerpt from our oral testimony in the Section 301 committee hearing on excess capacity in May. We will continue to champion access to American music making for our current and future generations.
Read the full press release here: https://www.namm.org/news/press-releases/statement-namm-president-and-ceo-section-232-addition-brass-wind-instruments
