As of March 2, 2020, China has begun accepting applications for a new tariff exclusion process for U.S. imports. If approved, no retaliatory tariffs will be imposed on the goods applied for and imported by the applicant for a period of one year.

China has provided a list of eligible goods containing 696 separate products. Additionally, applicants may apply to add products not currently included on the eligible products list.

An additional application is required if your product is:

• Subject to existing import duty-free policies
• Imported through express channels, such as low-value goods with simplified customs processes
• Already excluded in an exclusion process

China’s announcement stressed the new “market-based” exclusion process, which approves applicants based on an approved “purchase plan.” This differs from the existing exclusion process which approves exclusions on a product basis. For Chinese importers applying for the new market-based exclusion process, applicants are required to submit monthly purchase plans each month prior to import.

You can find more information from China’s Ministry of Finance here.

Trans-Border will continue to monitor the situation. If you have any questions, please reach out to Bill Carey, Import Compliance Manager, at bcarey@tbgfs.com or (800) 493-9444.