USTR Makes Changes to the Implementation and Scope of China Section 301 List#4 Tariffs

The USTR published new details today regarding the implementation of China Section 301 LIst#4 tariffs with some important changes.

1) Implementation Date

The USTR split the list#4 tariff and provided different implementation dates for the two lists.

List 4A – Products on this list will continue to be effective on the previously announced September 1, 2019 implementation date.

List 4B – Products on this list will have a delayed implementation of December 15, 2019. These products are mainly consumer products that are expected to be important during the holiday shopping season. They include cell phones, laptop computers, video game consoles, certain toys, and certain items of footwear and clothing.

Our assumption is that the implementation date will be based on entry date for each of these two lists.

2.) Scope

Certain products related to “health, safety, national security, and other factors” are supposedly also removed from List#4 entirely. The USTR is supposed to publish more details regarding this issue at a later time.

From our quick initial review, we found some interesting consumer products items that remain on List 4A effective September 1, 2019. This includes digital cameras under 8525.80.40 as well as a number of wireless products under 8517.62.0090. We HIGHLY recommend importers look through each of the lists carefully to see if their product will be affected by the delayed implementation or removed from list#4 entirely.