USTR Grants Section 301 Exclusions for Medical Products, Tranche 3 Goods
The Office of U.S. Trade Representative announced two more rounds of 301 tariff exclusions (see 2003130004). One set of exclusions covers medical supplies that were included in the fourth tranche of tariffs. The other set of exclusions apply to goods on the third tranche of tariffs.
New subheading 9903.88.42 will be used for the medical supply exclusions. The new set of exclusions, which is the second group focused on medical goods (see 2003060042), “are reflected in 19 specially prepared product descriptions, which cover 39 separate exclusion requests,” according to the notice. The product exclusions apply retroactively to Sept. 1, 2019, and will remain in effect until Sept. 1, 2020.
The product descriptions are:
- Bowls of molded plastics, with clips for retaining guide wires during surgical procedures (described in statistical reporting number 3926.90.9990)
- Disposable graduated medicine dispensing cups of plastics (described in statistical reporting number 3926.90.9990)
- Pads of foam plastics, with hook and loop fastener straps, integrated arm protectors, and accessory headrest, body straps, lift sheets, hand grips and face masks, of a kind used for positioning patients during medical procedures (described in statistical reporting number 3926.90.9990)
- Single-use sterile drapes and covers of plastics, of a kind used to protect the sterile field in surgical operating rooms (described in statistical reporting number 3926.90.9990)
- Sterile decanters of polystyrene plastics, each of a kind used to transfer aseptic fluids or medication to and from sterile bags, vials or glass containers (described in statistical reporting number 3926.90.9990)
- Cold packs consisting of a single-use, instant, endothermic chemical reaction cold pack combined with a textile exterior lining (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Disposable shoe and boot covers of man-made fiber fabrics (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Eye compresses, each consisting of a fabric cover filled with silica or gel beads, with or without a hook-and-loop fastener strap (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Face masks, single-use, of textile fabrics (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Gel pads of textile materials, each with removable fabric sleeves, in the shape of hearts, circles or quadrants (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Hot packs of textile material, single-use (exothermic chemical reaction) (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Laparotomy sponges of cotton (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Patient restraint or safety straps of textile materials, with hook-and-loop or ladder lock fasteners (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Single-use blood pressure cuff sleeves of textile materials (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Single-use medical masks of textile material (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Single-use stethoscope covers (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Woven gauze sponges of cotton in square or rectangular sizes (described in statistical reporting number 6307.90.9889)
- Electromechanical shoe cover dispenser, of steel (described in statistical reporting number 8479.89.6500)
- Protective articles (described in statistical reporting number 9004.90.0000).
New subheading 9903.88.41 will be used for the third tranche exclusions. The new exclusions from the tariffs “are reflected in five 10-digit HTSUS subheadings, which cover 75 separate exclusion requests,” according to the notice. The product exclusions, which are not all medical related, apply retroactively to Sept. 24, 2018, and will remain in effect until Aug. 7, 2020. The volume of goods imported in 2019 was more than $500 million.
The subheadings are:
- 3923.21.0030, Sacks and bags made from ethylene polymers, reclosable, with integral extruded closure, $123.7 million imported
- 3923.21.0095, Sacks and bags (including cones) made from ethylene polymers, $352.1 million imported
- 3926.20.9050, Plastic apparel, $162.8 million imported
- 4015.19.1010, Seamless, disposable rubber gloves, $26.6 million imported
- 5603.12.0090, Other man-made, non-woven fabric, not impregnated, coated or covered, other than floor covering underlays and laminated fabric, $60.8 million imported.