In a November 29, 2022 Federal Register notice, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced that it is extending the China 301 tariff exclusions on 81 “COVID items” which would have otherwise expired on November 30th. The extensions will run through February 28, 2023. The specific items in question can be accessed here.
By way of background, the USTR had previously announced the extension or modification of a total of 99 exclusions for specified medical-care and/or COVID response products. The exclusions on 18 such items were allowed to expire while those on 81 other items were extended through November 30, 2022. As part of the continuing efforts to combat COVID, the USTR has determined that a three-month extension of the latter 81 COVID-related product exclusions is warranted.
In a separate action earlier this year, the USTR reinstated 352 other product exclusions through December 31, 2022. No announcement has yet been made as to any further extensions of such exclusions.
Finally, as part of its review of the overall future of the China 301 tariffs, the USTR is continuing to solicit public comments (through January 17, 2023) as to the effectiveness of these tariffs and the corresponding effects on the U.S. economy.
Should you have questions on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact Arthur Bodek or any of our other attorneys.
