Following months of advocacy by PPAI and its coalition partners, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is soliciting feedback on the possibility of reinstating exclusions on some products that are subject to the Section 301 tariffs.

Collectively, the four tariff actions resulting from the USTR’s Section 301 investigations affect a huge majority of products imported from China, with the latter two tranches significantly impacting the promotional products industry. Prior to each tariff action, PPAI collaborated with more than 100 coalition partners to oppose any import duties, which are tantamount to taxes that adversely impact businesses and consumers.

After most of the tariff exclusions expired in December 2020, the USTR’s office is seeking public comment regarding its deliberations on restoring an exclusion process on certain products that are imported from China and subject to the Section 301 tariffs. The public commenting period will be open from October 12, 2021 to December 1, 2021. The USTR’s office will evaluate, on a case-by-case basis, whether reinstatement of the product exclusion is warranted. The focus of the evaluations will involve determining whether the product in question is only available from China. If reinstatement of an exclusion is granted, the status will be retroactive to October 12, 2021.

To view a list of the more than 500 product exclusions previously extended by the USTR’s office, click here.