WASHINGTON – Another three rounds of tariff exclusions could be on the way, courtesy of the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Last May, the USTR proposed a 12-month extension for items excluded between August 2019 and March 26, 2020. Now the same will be done for items excluded on April 24, May 8, and May 28. The original deadline was August 7.
These items include:
- Toddler beds, bassinets and cradles of metal (9403.20.0017)
- Adjustable height folding tables made of aluminum measuring no more than 183 cm by 122 cm by 72 cm (9403.20.0090)
- Tables of stainless steel each measuring not less than 60 cm but not more than 189 cm in width and not less than 50 cm and not more than 77 cm in depth and not more than 92 cm in height with adjustable legs. (9403.20.0090)
- Changing tables of wood (9403.60.8081) and
- Bed rails each of which attaches to the side of a bed to prevent the occupant of the bed from rolling out, with a nylon mesh fabric cover. (9403.90.8041)
- Upholstered chairs with frames of iron or steel (9401.71.0031)
- Outdoor household seats with aluminum frames covered in polyethylene rattan wicker with textile-covered cushions (9401.79.0011)
- Children’s rocking stools of plastics each with a convex-shaped base (9401.80.2031)
- Bench frames of cast aluminum each measuring at least 42 cm but not more than 79 cm in height and at least 52 cm but not more than 62 cm in width. (9401.90.5081)
- Parts of furniture consisting of pivoting back supports for chairs (9401.90.5081)
- Outdoor household tables with aluminum frames covered in polyethylene rattan wicker 9403.20.0050
- Floor-standing jewelry armoires of medium density fiberboard panels and wood veneer, with locking mechanism (9403.60.8081) and,
- Floor-standing jewelry armoires with walnut finish, with locking mechanism, mirrored lid, multiple drawers and compartments, measuring not more than 46.5 cm in length, not more than 35 cm in width and not more than 96 cm in height (9403.60.8081)
Comments from the public will be accepted between June 8 and July 7. Find out more here.
To qualify for an exclusion, once again applicants must explain to the U.S. Trade Representative's office why they think they deserve one. There's a spot on the applications for comments from the public and organizations, who can choose to support or oppose the application.
As with previous exclusion requests, the majority of companies write that they have been unable to find replacement goods – it either being impossible or doing so would hurt their businesses financially. Others write that they've fully transitioned to China and they're in too deep to suddenly move sourcing or manufacturing back to the U.S.
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