The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it is considering increasing the tariff amount for products included in the most recent section 301 tariff list from 10% ad valorem to 25% ad valorem. The USTR stated that because of this proposed increase, it is allowing more time for parties to submit requests to appear in the hearing and has extended the deadline to submit post-hearing rebuttal comments from August 30 to September 5. The press release says nothing about extending the due date of written comments from the August 17, 2018 deadline.
Therefore, for the purposes of gathering information and sending it to us, SFIA suggests members remain on our stated timeline. The deadline to request to be included in the comments to the USTR and submit information remains August 10, 2017.
The USTR will publish a notice in the Federal Register shortly, confirming these changes. SFIA will relay any new details provided in that Federal Notice and any new information heard about this matter when it becomes available.
SFIA also has identified a few more China Tariff HTS codes that are widely affecting the sports and fitness industry. See the HTS codes and categories below:
Marketing Displays (HTS codes 9403.60.80, 9403.20.00, 8302.50.00)
MMF Golf Bags (HTS code 4202.92.31)
Static Converters/Generators (HTS code 8504.40.95)
You can find all the affected HTS codes in the link below　as well as some of the categories affected below.
· MMF Golf bags
· Generators
· Coolers
· Sports Chairs
· Air Pump
· Latex Resistance bands
· Gloves for use in sport (i.e. baseball gloves, softball gloves, batting gloves, hockey gloves, ski gloves etc.)
· Sports Bags
· Hats/Caps for use in sport
· Helmet Accessories (i.e. visors, chinstraps)
· Racket strings
The first document, CLICK HERE, is a list of the HTS codes that are affecting our industry. Please review this page and identify any products that you import under the codes that are listed.
The second document, CLICK HERE, is what you need to complete to seek removal of a given HTS eight digit code from the China 301 List 3. You should complete one form for each eight digit HTS code for which you seek removal. You may have multiple products in any given eight digit HTS code, and should list all products classified under the one eight digit HTS code on the same form. Remember that each HTS code gets its own individual form.
There is a hard deadline to send in all forms before August 10 so that we have time to seek answers to follow up questions and file the forms by August 17. SFIA will work with its outside counsel, who represents SFIA and not individual members, to seek follow up information and complete the filings.
Once you have completed your forms, send them over to SFIA’s Chandler Hoffman @choffman@sfia.org. You will be invoiced after you have submitted your Information forms. Each form (one for each HTS code) costs $2,000 for SFIA members and $6,000 for non-SFIA members.
Contact: Bill Sells – Senior Vice President for Government and Public Affairs
Sports & Fitness Industry Association
301.495.6321, bsells@sfia.org
