Customs and Trade Policy Developments We’re Following This Month

2023-02-24 | Ivana Gavroski | 3 Minute Read

To help you better prepare for what’s coming, here’s a rundown of the customs and trade developments we’re following this month:

Section 301 China Tariff exclusions extended

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) extended the Section 301 China Tariff exclusions for 75 days for 81 COVID-related products to allow the public to comment on whether to further extend certain exclusions. In addition, the USTR amended two exclusions to correct one’s description and update the other’s tariff number.

To see if any exclusions may apply to your products, get an easy-to-understand report from our free U.S. Tariff Search Tool. You can also use the tool to gain clarity on import costs and identify potential opportunities to reduce or eliminate duties and fees. Learn how to get started with the U.S. tariff search tool in less than a minute.

CBP releases new UFLPA guidance for importers

On February 23, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published new Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) guidance documents. The additions include best practices for submitting documentation to prove detained goods are not subject to UFLPA and new answers to frequently asked questions.

CPB also added guidance on executive summaries and sample tables for importer applicability review submissions—i.e., the document an importer may present to CBP to demonstrate a shipment is not subject to UFLPA because the merchandise was not produced in whole or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region or by an entity on the UFLPA Entity List.

As a reminder, CBP will deploy the UFLPA Region Alert on March 18. This enhancement will require a valid postal code to be reported at time of cargo release if the manufacturer’s country of origin is China. Learn more in our recent Client Advisory.

United States announces 200 percent tariff on Russian aluminum

Beginning March 10, the United States will impose a 200-percent tariff on aluminum and derivatives produced in Russia. In addition, a 200-percent tariff will go into effect April 20 on aluminum imports with any amount of primary aluminum smelted or cast in Russia.

The announcement was made on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and will result in increased tariffs on more than 100 Russian metals, minerals and chemical products worth approximately $2.8 billion to Russia.

U.S. Customs increases quarterly interest rates

CBP published the quarterly Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments).

For the quarter beginning January 1, 2023, the interest rate for overpayments will be 6 percent for corporations and 7 percent for non-corporations. The interest rate for underpayments is 7 percent for both corporations and non-corporations. The rates for both underpayments and overpayments have increased from the previous quarter.

These rate changes could impact your bottom line if you expect to owe duties to CBP or receive refunds from CBP in the next quarter.