Both the Department of Commerce (for Section 232 global tariffs on aluminum and steel imports) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (for Section 301 tariffs on goods from China) have accepted requests to exclude specific products from the tariffs. These processes offer companies or trade associations an opportunity to explain how and why such goods are critical to the U.S. economy and could not be sourced elsewhere. Many of the requests submitted to date have been approved when a convincing case is made.
There is currently no open process for seeking exclusions from the Section 301 tariffs on imports from China, even though both the trade community and a growing number of lawmakers are advocating for one. In the meantime, however, there are many duty savings strategies that can be used to avoid or reduce these tariffs, including bonded facilities, free trade agreements and trade preference programs, Section 321 entries, tariff engineering, the first sale rule, and duty drawback.
Why Use ST&R’s Exclusion Request or Avoidance Services
Cost savings. With Section 232 and 301 tariffs as high as 25 percent, avoiding or mitigating these tariffs can significantly lower the cost of importing your goods.
Results. ST&R has secured the exclusion of dozens of products from Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs and helped hundreds of companies lower these and other tariffs through proven, legal duty reduction strategies.
Certainty. If you import a product subject to a tariff exclusion you can take advantage of it even if you didn’t request the exclusion yourself. ST&R can help you review exclusions that have been or may be granted to determine if your goods are covered.