relative file path for layout
Skip to main content  Skip to search  Skip to main menu
Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
MY COLOUR

Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref. :EIC 111/2/18
EIC 111/3
EIC 111/3/13
CR EIC 111/1/13/3

8 August 2018

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 757/2018

US : Proposed 25% Additional Tariffs on Certain Mainland Products Worth US$200 Billion under Section 301 Investigation - Extension of Public Comment Period

As set out in this Department’s Commercial Information Circular (CIC) No. 735/2018 of 2 August 2018, the US proposed to increase the additional tariff (from 10% to 25%) on 6,031 tariff lines of Mainland products worth approximately US$200 billion under the Section 301 investigation.  In light of the possible increase of the additional tariff rate to 25%, the US Trade Representative (USTR) issued a Federal Register (FR) notice on 7 August 2018 to extend certain public comment periods as follows:

  • 13 August 2018: Due date for filing requests to appear at the public hearings.
  • 6 September 2018: Due date for submission of written comments.
  • 20-23 August 2018: Public hearing to be held in Washington DC.
  • 6 September 2018: Due date for submission of post-hearing rebuttal comments.

DETAILS

2.The USTR released on 15 June 2018 two sets of US tariff lines of Mainland products worth about US$50 billion for an additional 25% tariff under the US’ Section 301 investigation into China’s intellectual property issues.  The first batch, which took effect on 6 July 2018, contains 818 tariff lines for an additional tariff of 25%.  The USTR had also provided procedures for product exclusion requests from the additional tariffs.  Please refer to CIC Nos. 582/2018, 659/2018 and 675/2018 dated 19 June 2018, 6 July 2018 and 9 July 2018 for details.  The USTR announced on 7 August 2018 the finalized second batch of 279 tariff lines which will be effective from 23 August 2018 (US time).  Please refer to CIC No. 759/2018 dated 8 August 2018 for details.

3.The USTR further announced on 10 July 2018 to take further actions by proposing an additional 10% tariff on 6,031 tariff lines of Mainland products worth approximately US$200 billion.  The proposed tariff will undergo public comments and hearing process.  Please refer to CIC No. 681/2018 dated 11 July 2018 for details.

4.On 1 August 2018, the USTR announced that it had been directed by the US President to consider increasing the proposed level of the additional tariff from 10% to 25%.  In light of the possible increase of the additional tariff rate to 25%, the public comment periods had been extended.  Please refer to CIC No. 735/2018 dated 2 August 2018 for details.

5.On 7 August 2018, the USTR issued a FR notice to update the extension of the public comment periods as follows:

  • 13 August 2018: Due date for filing requests to appear at the public hearings.
  • 6 September 2018: Due date for submission of written comments.
  • 20-23 August 2018: Public hearing to be held in Washington DC.
  • 6 September 2018: Due date for submission of post-hearing rebuttal comments.

6.For further details, please refer to USTR notice on proposed tariffs on Mainland goods worth US$200 billion and extension of public comment period: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-08-07/pdf/2018-16919.pdf

ENQUIRIES

7.For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Ivy TAM)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.