U.S. Customs duty collections surged more than 60% in April, setting a new record for the highest monthly revenue haul in American history, according to newly released Treasury Department data reviewed by Bloomberg.
Federal coffers collected at least $15.4 billion in customs duties and related excise taxes last month, an increase of $6 billion compared to March.
The sharp rise coincides with the first wave of President Donald Trump’s newly implemented tariffs, including a renewed 25% tariff on steel and the “universal” 10% tariff announced on April 2.
Daily collections—payments made at the time goods enter the country—rose nearly 40% in April compared to the previous month.
While the current figures reflect revenue from the increased 25% steel tariff, the majority of the universal 10% tariff had not yet fully taken effect.
Treasury officials anticipate that May’s total could rise even higher as the broader scope of tariffs comes into play, Bloomberg reported.
President Trump has consistently emphasized tariffs as a central part of his “America First” economic strategy, framing them both as a method to protect U.S. manufacturers from low-cost foreign competition and as a tool to generate federal revenue.
