Commercial Information Circulars

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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

5 October 2020
(updated on 20 October 2020)

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 735/2020

US : Section 301 Tariffs on Mainland Products Worth US$34 billion - Extension of Certain Eighth Batch Product Exclusions from 25% Tariffs until 31 December 2020

The US Trade Representative (USTR) issued on 5 October 2020 a Federal Register (FR) notice to announce extension of certain eighth batch product exclusions from 25% tariffs imposed on Mainland products worth about US$34 billion under the Section 301 investigation. The extension applies as of 2 October 2020 until 31 December 2020.

DETAILS

2.On 6 July 2018, the US imposed an additional tariff of 25% on Mainland products worth approximately US$34 billion (List 1) 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 eighth batch of product exclusions was announced on 2 October 2019 and two additional product exclusions were granted on 17 December 2019 and 11 February 2020. The above exclusions expired on 2 October 2020. For details, please refer to Commercial Information Circular Nos. 724/2019 and 594/2020 of 30 September 2019 and 4 August 2020 respectively.

3.After a public comment process, the USTR issued on 5 October 2020 an FR notice to announce extension of certain eighth batch product exclusions from 25% tariffs, which applies as of 2 October 2020 until 31 December 2020. The products include one existing 10-digit HTSUS subheading 9030.90.4600 covering certain parts and accessories for instruments and apparatus for measuring or detecting ionizing radiation; as well as eight specially prepared product descriptions, covering chemically etched dies of steel, steel-rule cutting dies, movable magnetic dies, embossing folders and plastic embossing diffusers; operator riding self-propelled aerial work platforms; cement retainer assemblies; extrusion machines for processing rubber, twin-screw type; safety valves of brass or bronze; certain DC electric motors; certain DC motors; and combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanners.

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 eighth batch product exclusions from 25% tariffs (5 October 2020):
  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-10-05/pdf/2020-21958.pdf
• US Customs and Border Protection's guidance note on filing entries for extension of product exclusions under US$34 billion List (List 1) (16 October 2020):
  https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-2a64697?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.