On March 10, 2021, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published an extension of the COVID-19 related medical-care and response product exclusions from Section 301 duties covering imports from China. The agency determined it would be inappropriate to allow the exclusions to lapse in consideration of the ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The extensions are effective for six months through September 30, 2021.
USTR originally extended the Section 301 exclusions for these 99 products on December 29, 2020. The extensions were set to expire on March 31, 2021. The list of products for which exclusions are being extended is included in the annex of the December 29, 2020 notice. The list of products includes x-ray equipment, oxygen tubes, hand soap, hand sanitizer, and personal protective equipment, among others.
USTR has made no announcement regarding plans to extend other non-COVID-19 related exclusions that expired on December 31, 2020, or earlier.
Originally Published by Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, March 2021
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