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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
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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

18 March 2020
(Last updated on 30 December 2020)

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 235/2020

US : Section 301 Tariffs on Mainland Products Worth US$34 billion - Extension of Certain Second  Batch Product Exclusions from 25% Tariffs until 25 March 2021

The US Trade Representative (USTR) issued on 13 March 2020 a notice to announce extension of certain second batch product exclusions from 25% tariffs imposed on Mainland products worth about US$34 billion under the Section 301 investigation. The extension will apply as of 25 March 2020 until 25 March 2021 (one year).

DETAILS

2.On 6 July 2018, the US imposed an additional tariff of 25% on Mainland products worth approximately US$34 billion under the Section 301 investigation.  The USTR also initiated an exclusion process for stakeholders to submit requests for the exclusion of specific products from the additional tariffs.  Subsequently, eight batches of products exclusions were granted by the USTR.  The second batch of product exclusions was announced on 25 March 2019 and will expire on 25 March 2020.  For details, please refer to Commercial Information Circular Nos. 209/2019 and 926/2019 of 21 March 2019 and 23 December 2019 respectively.

3.After a public comment process, the USTR issued on 13 March 2020 a notice to announce extension of certain second batch product exclusions from 25% tariffs, which will apply as of 25 March 2020 until 25 March 2021 (one year).  The products include two existing 10-digit HTSUS subheadings 8412.21.0045 and 8607.21.1000 covering certain hydraulic power engines and motors (telescoping); air brakes and parts for railway or tramway passenger coaches, freight cars and others; as well as nine specially prepared product descriptions, covering breast pumps; submersible machinery for filtering water; hand-held ultraviolet water purifiers; filters designed to remove sulfites from wine; filter housings, covers, or couplings; vulcanized rubber tracks; automated data processing storage units (other than magnetic disk drive units); AC electric motors and inoculator sets of plastics.

4.The exclusions are available for any product that meets the description set out in the exclusion, regardless of whether the importer filed an exclusion request.

5.For further details, please refer to the relevant notices:

  • FR notice on extension of certain second batch product exclusions from 25% tariffs (19 March 2020) and subsequent amendment (29 December 2020):
    https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-03-19/pdf/2020-05674.pdf
    https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-12-29/pdf/2020-28780.pdf (p.5)
  • US Customs and Border Protection's guidance note on filing entries for extension of certain second batch product exclusions under US$34 billion List (List 1) (27 March 2020):
    https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-2839faf?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

ENQUIRIES

6.For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact Miss K Y HO at telephone number 2398 5405.

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.