The tariffs rules are changing so fast and so often, it is hard to keep track.  Our goal is to share the latest information on these complicated matters as accurately and timely as possible.  Below is the latest information about the Section 301 tariffs, reported exactly as published by the USTR 08/13/2019

USTR Announces Next Steps on Proposed 10 Percent Tariff on Imports from China

Washington, DC – The United States Trade Representative (USTR) today announced the next steps in the process of imposing an additional tariff of 10 percent on approximately $300 billion of Chinese imports.

On May 17, 2019, USTR published a list of products imported from China that would be potentially subject to an additional 10 percent tariff.  This new tariff will go into effect on September 1 as announced by President Trump on August 1.

Certain products are being removed from the tariff list based on health, safety, national security and other factors and will not face additional tariffs of 10 percent.

Further, as part of USTR’s public comment and hearing process, it was determined that the tariff should be delayed to December 15 for certain articles.  Products in this group include, for example, cell phones, laptop computers, video game consoles, certain toys, computer monitors, and certain items of footwear and clothing.

USTR intends to conduct an exclusion process for products subject to the additional tariff.

The USTR will publish in the Federal Register as soon as possible additional details and lists of the tariff lines affected by this announcement.

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List 4A (Effective September 1, 2019)

List 4B (Effective December 15, 2019)

Questions on this issue?  Feel free to reach out to one of Gallagher’s Licensed Customs Brokers at 1-303‑365‑1000.  Many of the items that have an increase delayed until December are ones that may be popular items during the holiday season.  Some of the goods delayed include computer monitors, video game consoles, some clothing and footwear.  President Trump acknowledged the idea is to let retailers stockpile inventory in time for their busiest sales time of year.