China: China's Tariff Exclusion Process Explained

On May 13, 2019, China’s State Council Customs Tariff Commission (SCCTC) announced that China will administer an exclusion process for additional Chinese tariffs imposed on specific products imported from the United States. Both enterprises and industry associations that import, produce, or use relevant products are eligible to apply through the new process for tariff exclusions. Official guidance encourages industry associations to represent their members and to apply for exclusions on their behalf. Applicants seeking tariff exclusion must submit documentation and commercial data describing how additional ad valorem tariffs on Chinese imports of U.S. agricultural goods (1) face challenges seeking alternative sources of goods; (2) cause serious economic damage to the applicant; and (3) cause major negative structural impacts on the relevant industries or lead to serious social consequences. China’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) will accept exclusion applications for the published list of products (Attachment 2) from June 3, 2019, through July 5, 2019. Unofficial translations of the MOF’s instructions for enterprises and industry associations seeking to apply for tariff exclusions are included in this report.

China: China's Tariff Exclusion Process Explained