USTR Publishes List of Products Subject to Section 301 Tariffs

As we reported in our earlier alert, this action was taken following findings by the USTR that China’s discriminatory licensing requirements, foreign ownership restrictions, state-funded acquisitions, and state-backed hacking operations amounted to IP theft totaling hundreds of billions of dollars.
 
On April 3, 2018, the USTR published a proposed list of Chinese products that could be subject to the Section 301 tariff. As expected, the list of affected tariff numbers is heavily geared towards the technology sector, including the aerospace, information and communication technology, robotics, and machinery industries. 

Products Affected

Additional tariffs will be imposed on imports of products from China covering approximately 1,300 separate tariff lines. The products are defined at the Harmonized System (“HTS”) 8-digit level in the attached Annex.
 
Included are various products and parts classified in the following chapters:

• Chapter 29 (chemical products)
• Chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products)
• Chapter 40 (rubber products)
• Chapters 72 and 73 (steel and iron products)
• Chapter 76 (aluminum products)
• Chapter 84 (nuclear reactors and mechanical machinery)
• Chapter 85 (electrical machinery)
• Chapter 86 (railway locomotives)
• Chapter 87 (other vehicles)
• Chapter 88 (aircraft)
• Chapter 89 (ships and other floating structures)
• Chapter 90 (various types of optical, checking, medical devices)
• Chapter 93 (arms and ammunition)
• Chapter 94 (furniture and bedding)

The tariff only applies to goods of Chinese origin. We expect the USTR to publish further guidance on country of origin before the tariff becomes effective. Pending further guidance, however, the origin of the product will likely be determined according to US Customs and Border Protection rules of origin.

Notice and Comment Process

The Section 301 tariff will not become effective until after a notice and comment period, which will include a public hearing. The USTR’s notice includes the following timeline:

April 23, 2018: Interested persons must file requests to appear at the hearing, summaries of expected testimony, and any pre-hearing submissions.

May 11, 2018: Interested persons must file written comments with respect to any aspect of the proposed action, including the specific products covered, the rate of duty, and the appropriate aggregate level of trade to be covered by additional duties. USTR also requests that comments address whether the tariff will be effective in reducing China’s harmful acts, policies, and practices and whether the tariff on a particular product would disproportionately harm US interests.

May 15, 2018: Public hearing before the Section 301 Committee at the International Trade Commission at 10:00 a.m.

May 22, 2018: Parties must submit post-hearing rebuttal comments.
 
Due to the significant potential impact these additional duties may have on a wide-range of products from China, importers are urged to review their imports from China and, if they are importing any of the listed products, to consider, at a minimum, filing written comments and possibly appearing at the public hearing.

Arent Fox’s International Trade group will continue to monitor developments in this area. If you have any questions, please contact Leah Scarpelli, or the Arent Fox professional that usually handles your matters.