Tech interests will debate the ripple-effect consumer harms that may result from the Trump administration’s newest proposals to impose 10 percent Section 301 tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. But the list of goods targeted for the 10 percent duties, released July 10 in an Office of the U.S. Trade Representative notice, doesn't include meaningful end-user consumer tech products like TVs.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s list of proposed tariff subheadings set for an additional 10 percent tariff on $200 billion in imports from China covers wide swaths of the tariff schedule that initially avoided Section 301 tariffs imposed July 6. While the 25 percent tariff already in place affects only goods of Chapters 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89 and 90 (with a few exceptions), USTR’s proposed list of additional subheadings includes products from nearly all sectors of the tariff schedule, with the notable exceptions of footwear and apparel and pharmaceuticals.
The Commerce Department issued its final affirmative countervailing duty determination on cast iron soil pipe fittings from China (C-570-063). Suspension of liquidation is currently not in effect for entries on or after April 18, and Commerce will only require cash deposits of estimated CV duties on future entries if it issues a CV duty order.
The Consumer Technology Association, the National Retail Federation and the Semiconductor Industry Association are among groups and companies requesting to appear at a July 24 Office of the U.S. Trade Representative hearing about the Section 301 tariffs on a second list of 284 lines of Chinese-sourced products proposed for the higher duties (see 1806210029). The Retail Industry Leaders Association and the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones are also among the commenters in docket USTR-2018-0018. Written comments are due July 23, and post-hearing rebuttal comments, July 31.
CBP will flag two more Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes in ACE at the request of the National Marine Fisheries Service, CBP said in a CSMS message. The codes -- 0304.49.0190 (Fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced), fresh, chilled or frozen (90 = Other)) and 0304.87.0000 (Tunas, non-specific fillet frozen (of the genus Thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (Euthynnus or Katsuwonus pelamis)) -- will be flagged as NM5, it said. That flag means that specific Highly Migratory Species information may be required by NMFS. "Because these codes are 'general' in their description, a disclaimer will be allowed for the HMS program for the NM5 flag if the codes are being used for product that is not fresh Bluefin tuna (or is not other product that is covered the NMFS HMS program, primarily Bluefin tuna or swordfish)," CBP said.
CBP on July 6 published additional guidance on the application of Section 232 tariffs to steel and aluminum products. A CSMS message issued by the agency includes an overview of requirements for foreign-trade zone admissions for products covered by the tariffs, as well as information on the application of Chapter 98 provisions, temporary importations under bond, and NAFTA originating goods and duty deferral restrictions.
CBP will begin to apply a 25 percent Section 301 duty on goods found on a list of 818 8-digit tariff subheadings with country of origin China that are entered on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern time July 6, said Alex Amdur, CBP director-antidumping and countervailing duty policy and programs, on a call held July 5 to answer questions from the trade community. Based on country of origin, not country of export, the tariffs will be applied based on the date of entry, and goods with an entry date prior to July 6 will not be subject, including in cases in which the filers “elect” such an entry date.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of June 25 - July 1:
Drawback will be available on entries subject to 25 percent Section 301 tariffs set to take effect July 6 on products from China, CBP said in updated guidance on the new tariffs. CBP also said that, when submitting an entry in which a heading or subheading in Chapter 98 is claimed on merchandise covered by the Section 301 tariffs, filers must first report subheading 9903.88.01 (the Chapter 99 subheading for the duties), followed by the applicable Chapter 98 subheading and the normal Chapter 1-97 classification. USTR released its final list of tariff subheadings covered by the tariffs on June 15 (see 1806150003).
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