15% U.S. Tariff on Chinese Imports Now in Effect (List 4A)

As the U.S.-China Trade war continues, the U.S. has implemented another round of tariffs on more than $300 billion worth of Chinese goods originally spared under Lists 1, 2, and 3.

Effective September 1, 2019, the US imposed a 15% tariff on $112 billion worth of Chinese goods (List 4A).  The affected goods include:

• SOLID STATE DRIVES, SSD, Sub Heading: 8523.51.00
• DESKTOP COMPUTERS (w/ or w/out Monitors), Sub Heading: 8471.41.01.

For a complete List 4A, click here. No exceptions are permitted at this time for goods in transit when List 4A went into effect on September 1.

If trade talks do not improve between China and the U.S., we expect that on October 1, 2019, and the Section 301 tariff rate on Lists 1, 2, and 3 will increase from 25% to 30%.

Commencing on December 15, 2019, the U.S. will impose a 15% tariff on List 4B goods. Affected goods include:

• CELL PHONES, Sub Heading: 8517.20.00
• TABLETS/LAPTOPS, Sub Heading: 8471.30.01
• VIDEO GAME CONSOLES, Sub Heading: 9504.50.00

The complete List 4B can be found by clicking here.

In response, China has imposed 5 and 10% duties on 5078 US goods in two batches, from September 1 (list 1,  Chinese only) and December 15, 2019 (list 2, Chinese only), respectively. Also, from December 15, 2019, China has reinstated the 5 and 25% tariffs on US automotive parts and auto parts.

On September 3, 2019, China also announced that it has launched a lawsuit against the US over the List 4A and 4B import tariffs. Thus far, the total US tariffs applied exclusively to Chinese goods is $550 billion. Total Chinese tariffs applied exclusively to US goods is $185 billion.

Smith will continue to monitor the situation and will update accordingly. Please contact your Smith representative if you have any questions or request a quote here to find the parts you need today.