Most China List 4A Goods Now Subject to Tariffs; Others Granted an Extension

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that a number of product exclusions to the Section 301 additional 7.5% tariffs on List 4A imports from China are being extended, but many others saw their tariff exclusions expire on September 1.

The extensions granted are reflected in 87 specially prepared product descriptions and will extend only until December 31, 2020.  These exclusions, which must be claimed using the new HTSUS 9903.88.57, are available for any product that meets the specified product description, regardless of whether the importer filed an exclusion request.  The scope of each inclusion is governed by the scope of the product descriptions set forth by the USTR, not by the product descriptions set out in any particular request for exclusion.

The USTR stated that this shortened extension is due to “the cumulative effect of current and possible future exclusions or extensions of exclusions on the effectiveness of” the Section 301 tariffs.  The USTR has granted more than 6,800 exclusion requests to date, has extended some of these exclusions, and may consider further extensions.  USTR states that it will take account of the cumulative effect of exclusions in considering the possible further extension of these and other exclusions.

Click here for the complete list of List 4A goods that will retain their exclusionary status until December 31, 2020.

We encourage importers of products that are retaining exclusionary privileges to schedule shipments to arrive in the U.S. prior to year’s end in order to continue taking advantage of the reduced duties.

Expiring Exclusions

The USTR considered extending eight sets of tariff exclusions published thus far, but declined to extend the exclusions for the remainder of the goods on List 4A.  Therefore, the remaining 129 products are now subject to the 7.5% additional duty.

Click here to view the official USTR notice.

For more information on the Section 301 tariffs, please contact a member of our Compliance Department at Compliance@oceanair.net.

OCEANAIR will continue to monitor the situation and provide status updates on our China Section 301 Tariff Updates webpage as they become available.  Complete lists of all excluded products are also available on this page.