On the same day that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) raised the Section 301 tariff rate to 25 percent on imports from China valued at $200 billion that had been subject to a 10 percent tariff rate since September 24, 2018, the USTR also announced its fourth batch of products to be excluded from the Section 301 tariffs entirely. These approved exclusions are established in two different formats: (1) as a full exclusion for an existing 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading, or (2) as a partial exclusion under an HTSUS subheading and further defined in specially prepared product descriptions. The approvals cover 515 exclusion requests, including five 10-digit HTSUS subheadings and 35 specially prepared product descriptions.
Generally, the approved exclusions cover certain push-button switches; stereoscopic microscopes; adapter rings, tubes, sleeves, assemblies and other items for use with optical microscopes; ultra violet or infrared LED light therapy devices; certain remote control devices for use with model cars and aircraft, pet collars or garage doors; coils, coil assemblies and other parts of electromagnets; certain AC/DC electric motors of limited outputs; numerous parts and products under HTSUS 8481.90.9040 for use in hydraulic solenoid control valves; machinery for mixing or reconstituting beverages for human consumption; vibrating or roller conveyors; certain dust collection and air purification machinery and equipment; certain water filtering, purifying or distillation machinery; certain marine propulsion outboard motor engines; rider-type, counterbalanced fork-lift trucks; certain printed circuit assemblies for ATMs; certain pressure reducing valves; and grooved pulleys.
These product exclusions will apply as of the July 6, 2018, effective date of the $34 billion Section 301 trade action, which had assessed a 25 percent tariff on these items, and will extend for one year after the publication of this notice. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will shortly issue instructions on entry guidance, implementation of these exclusions and refund procedures.