Question 1

What are Section 301 tariffs?

Accepted Answer

Section 301 tariffs are additional US customs duties imposed on imports from China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. They were introduced starting in 2018 in response to unfair trade practices including intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer. The tariffs are organized in four lists (tranches) covering approximately $370 billion of Chinese imports at rates of 7.5% to 25%, charged on top of the normal MFN duty rate.

Question 2

How do I check if my product has Section 301 tariffs?

Accepted Answer

Look up your product's HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code and check if it appears on any of the four Section 301 lists published by the US Trade Representative (USTR). List 1 covers $34B of goods at 25%, List 2 covers $16B at 25%, List 3 covers $200B at 25%, and List 4A covers select goods at 7.5%. You can use our free Section 301 lookup tool to instantly check any HS code against all four lists.

Question 3

Are there Section 301 exclusions in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Section 301 exclusions have been granted and extended in waves since 2018. The USTR periodically publishes new exclusion lists and extends existing ones. Many exclusions from 2020–2024 have expired. As of 2026, some exclusions remain active, particularly for goods where domestic alternatives are unavailable. Check the USTR Federal Register notices for the current exclusion list, or use our lookup tool which tracks active exclusions by HS code.

Question 4

What is the total duty rate on Chinese imports to the US?

Accepted Answer

The total duty on Chinese imports is the MFN (Most Favoured Nation) duty rate PLUS the Section 301 additional tariff. For example, if a product has a 3% MFN rate and is on List 3 (25% Section 301), the total effective duty is 28%. Some products also face anti-dumping or countervailing duties on top of this. The combined rate can exceed 50% for some categories like steel, aluminium, and solar cells.

Question 5

Can I avoid Section 301 tariffs by changing the HS code?

Accepted Answer

You cannot simply change an HS code to avoid tariffs — the code must accurately describe your product. However, some products can legitimately be classified under multiple HS codes depending on their features, materials, or intended use. If an alternative classification is correct for your specific product, it may fall outside the Section 301 lists. This is legal tariff engineering, not evasion. Always work with a licensed customs broker or use AI-powered classification tools to find the most accurate and optimal HS code.

List	Rate	Value	Effective	Products
List 1	+25%	$34 billion	Jul 6, 2018	Industrial machinery
List 2	+25%	$16 billion	Aug 23, 2018	Semiconductors
List 3	+25%	$200 billion	Sep 24, 2018	Consumer goods
List 4A	+7.5%	$120 billion	Feb 14, 2020	Apparel

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