USTR excludes more Chinese products from tariffs, including cabinets
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WASHINGTON – The United States Trade Representative has announced more tariff exclusions on Chinese products, including some wood cabinets with glass fronts.
 
Specifically, they include:
 
  • Cabinets of wood with glass fronts, each measuring at least 208 cm, but not more than 234 cm in height; at least 86 cm but no more than 128 cm in width and at least 40 cm but not more than 49 cm in depth. (otherwise described in statistical reporting number 9403.60.8081)
  • Cabinets of wood with glass fronts, each measuring at least 91, but not more than 117 cm in height; at least 165 cm but no more than 216 cm in width and at least 38 cm but not more than 59 cm in depth. (otherwise described in statistical reporting number 9403.60.8081).

These were among the items that were hit with 25 percent tariffs last May. These new exclusions are retroactive back to September 24, 2018 and run through August 7, 2020. Companies are eligible for refunds from paid tariffs.

To qualify, 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.

The USTR also wants to know if the products were considered strategically important to "Made in China 2025" or one of China's other industrial programs.

The exclusion process for all other Chinese imports has been closed since January 31. Thousands of companies filed requests, with most being denied.

 
 
 
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About the author
Robert Dalheim

Robert Dalheim is an editor at the Woodworking Network. Along with publishing online news articles, he writes feature stories for the FDMC print publication. He can be reached at [email protected].