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USTR grants more Section 301 exclusions

The exclusions on such products as oil pumps, forklifts, garage door openers and medical equipment will be retroactive to July 6 and extend through June 4, 2020.

   The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Monday announced Section 301 tariff exclusions for 89 additional product types covering “approximately 464 separate exclusion requests.”
   The exclusions apply to products on a first tranche of tariffs that took effect July 6 covering $34 billion worth of goods from China in 2017 import value.
   The exclusions will apply retroactively to July 6 and will extend through June 4, 2020, and Customs and Border Protection will issue instructions on entry guidance and implementation, USTR said.
   Exclusions are set forth in two different formats: as an exclusion of an existing 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading from within an eight-digit subheading covered by the $34 billion action or as an exclusion reflected in specially prepared product descriptions.
   In particular, the exclusions take the form of one 10-digit HTS subheading and 88 specially prepared product descriptions, USTR said. Exclusions will apply to all subject products, beyond merely those that the requester imports.
   The excluded products include certain oil pumps, forklifts, garage door openers, ball bearings and medical equipment.
   The excluded 10-digit subheading is HTS 8537.10.8000 (touch-sensitive data input devices, so-called touch screens without display capabilities, for incorporation into apparatus having a display, which function by detecting the presence and location of a touch within the display area, such sensing may be obtained by means of resistance, electrostatic capacity, acoustic pulse recognition, infra-red lights or other touch-sensitive technology).

Brian Bradley

Based in Washington, D.C., Brian covers international trade policy for American Shipper and FreightWaves. In the past, he covered nuclear defense, environmental cleanup, crime, sports, and trade at various industry and local publications.