U.S. Makes China Stone Tariff Exemptions

WASHINGTON – The United States lifted tariffs yesterday on some very specific categories of natural-stone exports from China.

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) officials released a list of 146 products now exempt from the Section 301 (or “blanket”) tariffs on nearly all products from China. It’s the latest in a monthly process of determining, upon request, an end to the current 25% duty.

The May lineup includes a potpourri of goods, ranging from steel racks for kayaks, paddle boats and fishing poles to air-pressure regulator valves. Natural stone also gets some tariff relief, but the definitions are, to say the least, somewhat esoteric.

Nevertheless, if a product falls within these tight definitions, the Section 301 tariff no longer applies … and importers will likely be refunded prior payments back to September 2018. Regular tariffs still apply.

The three excluded natural-stone products are:

Limestone with a flamed finish on one side and a length of at least 200 mm but not more than 3,100 mm, a width of at least 100 mm but not more than 1,380 mm, and a thickness of at least 30 mm but not more than 180 mm (imported under HTS 6802.92.0000).

Sinks and sink pedestals of natural granite for bathroom and kitchen use, each measuring not more than 110 cm by 95 cm by 95 cm and weighing not more than 415 kg (imported under HTS 6802.93.0090).

Basalt with a flamed finish on one side and a length of at least 200 mm but not more than 3,100 mm, a width of at least 100 mm but not more than 1,380 mm and a thickness of at least 30 mm but not more than 180 mm (imported under HTS 6802.99.0060).

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