USTR explains Section 301 tariff exclusion process

The U.S. Trade Representative has announced a process to obtain product exclusions from Section 301 tariffs on $34 billion in Chinese goods.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association is encouraging all affected members to review the official notice and request an exclusion at Regulations.gov.

The 25 percent tariffs apply to nearly 300 marine related products, including engines, navigational equipment, and components.

The tariffs took effect on July 6 and could be expanded to a total of $50 billion or more.

The exclusion process has the following important dates and features:

• The public will have 90 days to file a request for a product exclusion; the request period will end on October 9, 2018.
• Following public posting of the filed request on Regulations.gov, the public will have 14 days to file responses to the request for product exclusion. After the close of the 14-day response period, interested persons will have an additional 7 days to reply to any responses received in support of or opposition to the request.

Exclusions will be effective for one year upon the publication of the exclusion determination in the Federal Register and will apply retroactively to July 6, 2018.

The USTR is the U.S. government agency responsible for developing and recommending U.S. trade policy to the president, conducting trade negotiations at bilateral and multilateral levels, and coordinating trade policy.

Established as the Office of the Special Trade Representative (STR) under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the USTR is part of the Executive Office of the President.

The head of the office holds the title of United States Trade Representative (USTR), which is a Cabinet-level position, though not technically within the Cabinet.

NMMA will remain engaged on this issue and provide regular updates. For more information, please contact NMMA Senior Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs Nicole Vasilaros or NMMA Director of Federal Affairs Lance West.