On September 17, 2019, the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) announced that 89 additional product descriptions will be excluded from Sec. 301, Tranche 2; this latest set supplements the first set of exclusions the USTR granted to Tranche 2 products on July 31, 2019. The list of 89 newly-excluded product descriptions is provided below. The exclusions will be retroactive to August 23, 2018 and extend for one year after publication of the USTR notice of exclusion.
Chinese-origin products listed on Tranche 2 are currently subject to an additional duty rate of 25% ad valorem; the rate is scheduled to increase to 30% ad valorem on October 15, 2019. However, any Chinese-origin product that “meets the description” of an excluded product can claim the exclusion at entry and enjoy its benefit.
Specifically, products that satisfy the exclusion descriptions will not be subject to the Sec. 301 duties when entered into the U.S. The benefit is retroactive to August 23, 2018; importers can correct prior entries, or claim refunds for Sec. 301 duties paid, provided certain regulatory timeframes are satisfied.
The USTR indicated that it will continue to issue exclusion decisions concerning Tranche 2 products on a periodic basis. Although the exclusion request process has closed for Tranche 2, it remains open for Tranche 3 until September 30, 2019, and will open at a future date for Tranche 4. If your business is interested in filing an exclusion request, seeking a refund of past duties paid under Sec. 301, and/or discussing Sec. 301 strategies more generally, please contact our office and speak with one of our attorneys.
List of Products Excluded from Tranche 2, Pursuant to September 17, 2019 Announcement:
(1) Acrylic acid-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid-acrylic ester (AA/AMPS/HPA) terpolymers, presented in dry form (described in statistical reporting number 3906.90.5000)
(2) Copolymers of acrylic acid and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, valued at $5.40 to $5.60 per kg (described in statistical reporting number 3906.90.5000)
(3) Granular hydrocarbon resins, each pellet not larger than 1 cm in any dimension and having a melting point greater than 95 degrees C but not greater than 105 degrees C, presented in immediate packings of paper, paperboard or kraft paper weighing with their contents greater than 23 kg but not greater than 27 kg (described in statistical reporting number 3911.10.0000)
(4) Profile shapes, of a kind used in producing door jambs, composed of a composite of polyvinyl chloride, calcium carbonate and sawdust (described in statistical reporting number 3916.20.0020)
(5) Hose of braided polyvinyl chloride, having crimped fittings, designed to carry water, valued not over $2.00 per kg (described in statistical reporting number 3917.23.0000)
(6) Molded acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) tubes, of a kind used to effect the sterile transfer of fluid from a bag or vial to another container, each tube measuring 7.5 cm or more but not exceeding 23 cm in length, with an inner diameter of less than 0.65 cm and an outer diameter of less than 9 cm, one end having been angle-cut to form a spike, and having an integrated flange, less than 3 cm in diameter (splash guard) near the spike end and removable polyethylene caps on each end, put up in sterile packing (described in statistical reporting number 3917.29.0090)
(7) Polymer strips curled in helical fashion to form a flexible tube having a constant circular cross-section with a diameter not exceeding 2 cm (described in statistical reporting number 3917.29.0090)
(8) Drinking straws, of plastics, each straw 8 mm or more in outside diameter and 20 cm or more in length (described in statistical reporting number 3917.32.0050)
(9) Bulkhead fittings, each comprising a hollow, threaded cylindrical body with a hexagonal or octagonal head on one end, of a length 9.53 cm or more but not exceeding 23.5 cm and having an inside diameter of 1.27 or more but not exceeding 15.24 cm, a polymer gasket and a hexagonal or octagonal tightening nut (described in statistical reporting number 3917.40.0090)
(10) Polyacetal brackets for connectors, of a length measuring 3.84 cm or more but not exceeding 4.57 cm, a width of 0.838 cm and a height of 2.15 cm (described in statistical reporting number 3917.40.0090)
(11) Polyacetal filters measuring 3.76 cm x 3.76 cm x 0.31 cm (described in statistical reporting number 3917.40.0090)
(12) Polyacetal hose barb fittings, with a length of 2.27 cm, width of 0.99 cm and height of 2.29 cm (described in statistical reporting number 3917.40.0090)
(13) Tube, pipe and hose couplings and connectors of plastics, with maximum outside dimensions of 6.5 cm by 6.35 cm by 6.35 cm (described in statistical reporting number 3917.40.0090)
(14) Y-shaped fittings of plastics, each measuring 6.99 cm in length and 3.18 cm or more but not exceeding 3.81 cm in width and height, incorporating a valve stem of plastics and brass in its center (described in statistical reporting number 3917.40.0090)
(15) Electrical tape of polyvinyl chloride, in rolls, measuring not more than 2 cm in width, not more than 20.2 m in length, and not more than 0.18 mm in thickness (described in statistical reporting number 3919.10.2020)
(16) Transparent tape of plastics with an acrylic emulsion adhesive, in rolls measuring not over 4.8 cm in width, valued not over $.25 per square meter (described in statistical reporting number 3919.10.2030)
(17) Rolls of polyethylene film coated with a solvent acrylic adhesive (described in statistical reporting number 3919.10.2055)
(18) Heat-sealable printed films, of plastics, having a thickness of more than 20 microns but not more than 30 microns, in rolls wider than 15 cm but not more than 20 cm (described in statistical reporting number 3920.20.0055)
(19) Rolls of polyvinyl chloride, measuring 2.5 cm or more but not exceeding 5.1 cm in width and 182.9 m in length (described in statistical reporting number 3920.43.5000)
(20) Sheets of polyvinyl chloride, in rolls measuring 1.5 m or more in width, printed in various colors, valued at $1.60 to $1.90 per kg (described in statistical reporting number 3920.43.5000)
(21) Sheets of polyvinyl chloride, measuring 2.44 mm or more but not exceeding 3.66 m in width, 3.05 or more but not exceeding 5.18 m in length and 0.5 cm in thickness (described in statistical reporting number 3920.43.5000)
(22) Sheets of polyvinyl chloride, measuring 47.5 cm in width, 61.0 cm in length and 24 mm in thickness, coated on both sides with a printable primer (described in statistical reporting number 3920.43.5000)
(23) Sheets of transparent (double polished or super double polished) polyvinyl chloride, whether or not with an integrated pattern, in rolls, measuring 1.37 m or more but not exceeding 1.83 m in width, not more than 54.9 m in length, and 0.075 mm or more but not exceeding 0.51 mm in thickness, valued at $2.35 or more but not exceeding $3.35 per square meter (described in statistical reporting number 3920.43.5000)
(24) Uncoated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, containing by weight less than 6% of plasticizers, less than 0.07 mm in thickness, in rolls weighing 1 t or more (described in statistical reporting number 3920.49.0000)
(25) Films coated on one or both sides with polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), whether or not having a primer layer between the base and coating; any of the foregoing having a total thickness greater than 0.01 mm but not greater than 0.03 mm (described in statistical reporting number 3920.62.0090)
(26) Sheets of transparent polyurethane, measuring 112 cm in width and 112 cm or more but not exceeding 168 cm in length, whether or not put up in sterile packaging (described in statistical reporting number 3920.99.2000)
(27) Printed film of polyvinyl chloride, laminated with foamed-polyvinyl chloride-coated polyester scrim, in rolls, of a kind used for lining shelves or drawers (described in statistical reporting number 3921.12.1100)
(28) Three-ply polyvinyl chloride film laminated with nonwoven polyester scrim, in rolls, measuring not more than 5 m in width and not more than 91.5 m in length, valued at $2.10 or more but not exceeding $2.40 per square meter (described in statistical reporting number 3921.12.1100)
(29) Sheets of foamed polyvinyl chloride combined with a non-textile moisture barrier, in rolls, measuring 45.7 cm in width and 1.83 m in length, each roll weighing not more than 0.39 kg (described in statistical reporting number 3921.12.5000)
(30) Synthetic leather sheeting, comprising three layers of polycarbonate-type polyurethane, the outer layer surface treated, the middle layer of foamed polyurethane, and the bottom adhesive layer combined with a support layer of polyester knit fabric, weighing 441 g or more but not exceeding 539 g per square meter, in rolls, measuring 1.4 m or more but not exceeding 1.5 m in width and 20 m or more in length (described in statistical reporting number 3921.13.1500)
(31) Cellular regenerated cellulose plates (blocks), measuring 99.1 cm by 99.1 cm by 35.6 cm (described in statistical reporting number 3921.14.0000)
(32) Non-adhesive translucent ethylene-vinyl acetate, in sheets or rolls, of a kind used for shelf liners (described in statistical reporting number 3921.19.0000)
(33) Plates composed of layers of closed-cell ethylene-vinyl acetate and polyethylene foam, in rectangular shapes, each having a surface area of 2 m² or more but not greater than 2.25 m² (described in statistical reporting number 3921.19.0000)
(34) Sheets and strips consisting of both cross-linked polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate, of a width greater than 1 m but not greater than 1.5 m, and a length greater than 1.75 m but not greater than 2.6 m (described in statistical reporting number 3921.19.0000)
(35) Sheets of noncellular polyvinyl chloride combined with man-made textile fabric, valued at $6.15 or more but not exceeding $6.30 per square meter (described in statistical reporting number 3921.90.1100)
(36) Polyethylene sheet and film laminated with spunbond-spunbond-spunbond nonwoven polypropylene fabric, measuring 1.12 cm or more but not exceeding 1.52 cm in width and 1.93 cm or more but not exceeding 2.29 cm in length, and weighing 55 g/m2 or more but not exceeding 88 g/m2 (described in statistical reporting number 3921.90.1500)
(37) Plastics sheeting made up of plain-woven, high-density polyethylene fabric coated on both sides with low-density polyethylene, in rolls measuring 5 m in width (described in statistical reporting number 3921.90.1950)
(38) Sheets of transparent (double polished or super double polished) laminated polyvinyl chloride, whether or not with an integrated pattern, in rolls, measuring 1.37 m or more but not exceeding 1.83 m in width, not more than 54.9 m in length, and 0.075 mm or more but not exceeding 0.51 mm in
thickness, valued at $2.35 or more but not exceeding $3.35 per square meter (described in statistical reporting number 3921.90.4090)
(39) Sheets of transparent (double polished or super double polished) polyvinyl chloride, whether or not with an integrated pattern, in rolls, measuring 1.37 m but not exceeding 1.83 m in width, not more than 54.9 m in length, and 0.075 mm but not exceeding 0.51 mm in thickness, valued at $2.35 or more but not exceeding $3.35 per square meter (described in statistical reporting number 3921.90.4090)
(40) Girders of iron or steel, meeting ASTM standard A572, Grades 50, 65 or 70 (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.3000)
(41) Pipes of iron or steel, with connectors, meeting ASTM standard A572, Grade 50 (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.3000)
(42) Posts of steel pipe and tube, with ball knobs attached (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.3000)
(43) Posts of steel pipe and tube, with sill plates and ball studs attached (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.3000)
(44) Rib nodes of iron or steel, meeting ASTM standard A572, Grades 50, 65 or 70 (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.3000)
(45) Steel upstand support members (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.3000)
(46) Angle feed racks of galvanized steel, designed for use in the feeding of livestock (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.9590)
(47) Animal kennels of iron or steel (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.9590)
(48) Balusters or spindles, of iron or steel, designed for use in handrails (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.9590)
(49) Chain link fence panels, and fence panel stands and bases, of iron or steel (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.9590)
(50) Elongated half loops of galvanized steel (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.9590)
(51) Gazebos, pergolas and trellises of iron or steel (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.9590)
(52) Lockup frames of galvanized steel, of a length exceeding 3.0 m, designed for use in controlling the movement of livestock (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.9590)
(53) Steel plate assemblies conforming to ASTM A709 Grade 50 (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.9590)
(54) Tubes of galvanized steel, coped (notched) on one end, of a length not exceeding 1.0 m (described in statistical reporting number 7308.90.9590)
(55) Structural angles of aluminum, in a V shape with a 90 degree angle, for sliding or rolling driveway gates, in packages containing 2 or 3 angles, with each piece of a length exceeding 1.5 m but not exceeding 2.0 m and a width exceeding 4 cm but not exceeding 8 cm (described in statistical reporting number 7610.90.0080)
(56) Spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston engines, to be installed in agricultural or horticultural machinery or equipment, each rated at less than 4,200 W (described in statistical reporting number 8407.90.1010)
(57) Spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston engines, not elsewhere specified or included, each rated at 4,476 W or more but not exceeding 18.65 kW, with an engine displacement of not more than 690 cc (described in statistical reporting number 8407.90.9060)
(58) Cold plates for preparing tissue samples (described in statistical reporting number 8419.89.9540)
(59) Quenching devices designed to lower the temperature of steel plate using water, each consisting of top cooling headers, bottom cooling headers, a side sweep header, a common control manifold that feeds all the headers, a main supporting frame to support all bottom headers and bottom rolls, a top header supporting sub-frame to support the top headers and top rolls, five top and five bottom rolls, neck bearings, drives and on board piping (described in statistical reporting number 8419.89.9540)
(60) Cold plate machines, each incorporating a flat heat-absorbing metal plate capable of lowering the temperature of paraffin from a liquid to a solid phase, designed for use with microtomes (described in statistical reporting number 8419.89.9585)
(61) Walk behind rotary tillers, electrically powered, each weighing less than 16 kg (described in statistical reporting number 8432.29.0060)
(62) Scarifiers (described in statistical reporting number 8432.29.0090)
(63) Tile saws (described in statistical reporting number 8464.10.0100)
(64) Band saw guards (described in statistical reporting number 8466.30.8000)
(65) Grinder stands, pedestal rollers and other tool and workpiece stands, supports and platforms (described in statistical reporting number 8466.30.8000)
(66) Power tool mounts (described in statistical reporting number 8466.30.8000)
(67) Machines for manufacturing laminated or insulated glass, each machine valued over $100,000 (described in statistical reporting number 8475.29.0000)
(68) Plain shaft bearings and bushings, without housings, each valued not over $3 (described in statistical reporting number 8483.30.8090)
(69) Parts and accessories, not elsewhere specified or included, each valued not over $2800 (described in statistical reporting number 8486.90.0000)
(70) Brushless DC motors, rated at 24V, designed for use in saltwater aquariums (described in statistical reporting number 8501.10.6040)
(71) DC motors, each of an output exceeding 25 W but not exceeding 2.0 kW (described in statistical reporting number 8501.32.2000)
(72) DC motors, each of an output not exceeding 25 W (described in statistical reporting number 8501.32.2000)
(73) DC motors, of an output exceeding 750 W but not exceeding 14.92 kW, each with attached actuators, crankshafts or gears (described in statistical reporting number 8501.32.2000)
(74) Parts of generators (other than parts of general use as defined in note 2 to section XV), each valued not over $10 (described in statistical reporting number 8503.00.9550)
(75) Electronic AC lighting control switches, for dimming and turning lights on and off, packaged for retail sale (described in statistical reporting number 8536.50.7000)
(76) Surface-mount glass passivated rectifiers with a rectified output current not exceeding 1.25 A (described in statistical reporting number 8541.10.0080)
(77) Surface-mount transient voltage suppressors having a peak pulse power capacity not exceeding 5 A (described in statistical reporting number 8541.10.0080)
(78) Zener diodes having an admissible zener current of not more than 0.15 A at 25 degrees C (described in statistical reporting number 8541.10.0080)
(79) Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells of a kind described in statistical note 11 to chapter 85, made up into panels with a surface area not exceeding 3,061 cm2 (described in statistical reporting number 8541.40.6015)
(80) Solar panels, each of a surface area not exceeding 3,100 cm2 (described in statistical reporting number 8541.40.6015 and 8541.40.6035)
(81) 16-gauge 2-conductor wire, not fitted with connectors, for a voltage not exceeding 80 V (described in statistical reporting number 8544.49.2000)
(82) Electric conductors, not fitted with connectors, for a voltage not exceeding 80 V, each overmolded with polypropylene (described in statistical reporting number 8544.49.2000)
(83) Monopolar conductors for a voltage exceeding 1,000 V, other than of copper and not fitted with connectors (described in statistical reporting number 8544.60.6000)
(84) Truck bolsters for railway cars, each weighing more than 650 kg (described in statistical reporting number 8607.19.3010)
(85) Truck side frames for railway cars, each weighing more than 400 kg (described in statistical reporting number 8607.19.3020)
(86) Motorcycles with electric power for propulsion, each of a power not exceeding 1,000 W (described in statistical reporting numbers 8711.60.0050 or 8711.60.0090)
(87) Skateboards with electric power for propulsion, of a power not exceeding 250 W (described in statistical reporting number 8711.60.0050)
(88) Three-wheeled carriages for disabled persons, with electric power for propulsion, each carriage having a second passenger seat capable of being stowed and a foot-operated brake (described in statistical reporting number 8713.90.0030)
(89) Thermometers comprising cable assemblies with sensors, suitable for use in swimming pools, not combined with other instruments, valued not over $10 each (described in statistical reporting number 9025.19.8080)
