CBP Issues Instructions for New TRQs on EU Steel, Aluminum
New tariff-rate quotas on EU aluminum and steel agreed to in lieu of Section 232 tariffs will open Jan. 3 at 12:01 a.m., CBP said in a pair of quota bulletins Dec. 29. Entries submitted prior to 8:30 a.m. EST on that date will be counted “in the first opening” at 8:30, with entries being prorated if totals for any tariff number grouping exceed the limit. Entries submitted prior to 12:01 a.m. Jan. 3 won't be counted toward the opening.
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The aluminum quota will be administered in two half-year periods, with the first half of the year comprising 60% of the overall quota. The steel quota will be administered quarterly, with each quarter assigned 25% of the annual quota amount. CBP also on Dec. 29 posted quota amounts for each quota category and country for the first two quarters under the steel TRQ, and the first year under the aluminum TRQs.
Imports of aluminum and steel derivatives will no longer be subject to Section 232 tariffs beginning Jan. 1, CBP said in a guidance issued Dec. 29. Steel imports from the EU must be melted and poured in an EU member country to be eligible for the TRQ, CBP said. "Additional details on the melt and pour requirement will be provided when they are available."
The quotas will be processed daily, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, CBP said. For shipments to be processed for quota on the same day, the entry summary must be filed and the payment date must be on file or scheduled and the conveyance arrived by 4:30 p.m. in the port’s local time zone. Entries of goods excluded from the quotas will still count against quota amounts, but they will continue to be accepted until the close of the annual quota period regardless of whether periodic or annual limits have been reached.
For steel, quota eligible entries should be entered under the appropriate 9903.80.65 through 9903.81.19 tariff number, as well as the applicable chapter 72 or 73 subheading as the next tariff number. Over quota entries should be filed using a non-quota entry type and 9903.80.01 as well as the applicable chapter 72 or 73 subheading. Entries with importer-specific exclusions should be filed without any chapter 99 tariff number, but must include the exclusion ID number on the entry. Entries under generally approved exclusions require no chapter 99 HTS number.
For aluminum, quota eligible entries should be entered under the appropriate 9903.85.27 through 9903.85.44 tariff number, as well as the applicable chapter 76 subheading as the next tariff number. Over quota entries should be filed using a non-quota entry type and 9903.85.01 as well as the applicable chapter 76 subheading. Entries with importer-specific exclusions should be filed without any chapter 99 tariff number, but must include the exclusion ID number on the entry. Entries under generally approved exclusions require no chapter 99 HTS number.