ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council informed its members about a third list of China duties due to go live Sept. 24. The Council noted that the Trump Administration announced on Wednesday the imposition of a 10 percent customs duty on approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese origin merchandise. This rate of duty is scheduled to increase to 25 percent on Jan. 1, 2019. The Vision Council noted, “Of the original 6,031 different tariff numbers identified for the increased duties, 286 were removed after completion of the administrative rulemaking notice and comment period, bringing the total number of affected tariff numbers to 5,745. Included on the final list are the tariff numbers associated with hand-held and stand magnifiers, eyeglass cases and cleaning solutions—notwithstanding The Vision Council’s request that the tariff numbers associated with the latter two product groups be removed from the list.”

The notice continued, “This brings the total value to $250 billion of imports impacted by the Trump Administration’s trade policy, as it had previously subjected $50 billion worth of trade to increased duties. Importers affected by yesterday’s action should expect a future rollout of a product-based exemption request mechanism similar to the one currently available to importers of goods subjected to the earlier lists of duty numbers, however, it has yet to be announced.

“Importers subject to duties imposed on the first two lists of tariff numbers should be mindful that deadlines for seeking product exemptions are fast approaching—Oct. 9, 2018, for goods subject to list one, and Dec. 18, 2018, for goods subject to list two.”

In addition, The Vision Council pointed out, “The Trump Administration has threatened to subject the remaining tariff numbers—representing approximately $260 billion in import value—to increased duties if China retaliates, which it did on Sept. 18 by targeting approximately $60 billion worth of U.S. origin goods. Assuming the Administration goes through with its threat and subjects the remainder of the tariff to increased duties for Chinese origin merchandise, The Vision Council’s members will feel the full brunt of these duties, as core member products such as frames, lenses, sunglasses, reading glasses and low vision devices of Chinese origin will be impacted.”

The Vision Council said it will work to keep members informed on this topic. Any questions about this issue can be directed to Rick Van Arnam, The Vision Council’s regulatory counsel, at rvanarnam@barnesrichardson.com.