BreakingTariffs & HTS
U.S. amends a fifth China 301 exclusion to a new HTS number
USTR made a conforming amendment to one more product exclusion in the China Section 301 action on technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation, because the USITC changed 10-digit HTSUS statistical reporting numbers on July 1, 2026. U.S. note 20(vvv)(i)(20) to subchapter III of chapter 99 now keeps its existing statistical reference through June 30, 2026 and, from July 1, 2026, covers goods described in statistical reporting number 8479.90.9591. The amendment applies to goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after 12:01 a.m. EST on July 1, 2026.
What changed
Five of the exclusions set out in USTR's annexes of May 30, 2024, June 5, 2025, September 2, 2025 and December 1, 2025 were affected by the USITC's statistical changes. USTR amended four of them in its September 2, 2026 notice (91 FR 56538); this notice completes the set with note 20(vvv)(i)(20).
The annex inserts the words "through June 30, 2026; described in statistical reporting number 8479.90.9591 effective July 1, 2026" after the existing reference dated January 27, 2022.
The stated purpose is to maintain the pre-existing product coverage of the China 301 actions, so the exclusion neither widens nor narrows; it follows the product into its new reporting number. No new rates or exclusions are created.
CBP will issue instructions on entry guidance and implementation, and classification questions go to the USTR address given in the notice.
What an import team should check
- Check whether any China-origin import claims the exclusion in U.S. note 20(vvv)(i)(20) and confirm which 10-digit statistical number it has been reported under since July 1, 2026.
- Update classification records so entries from July 1, 2026 that rely on this exclusion use statistical reporting number 8479.90.9591 where applicable.
- Ask your broker to review entries filed since July 1, 2026 under this exclusion and to watch for CBP's entry guidance and implementation instructions.