Section 301 exclusions end on November 9, 2026: what importers of Chinese goods should do

What ends on November 9, 2026?

Section 301 duties apply to many products of China. USTR can exclude specific products from these duties. Each exclusion describes the product and names a ten-digit HTS number.

On December 1, 2025, USTR extended 178 exclusions until November 10, 2026 (90 FR 55232). The notice gives the exact end: 11:59 p.m. eastern time on November 9, 2026. The extension followed the trade deal with China that the White House announced on November 1, 2025.

The 178 exclusions are in two groups:

The text of both headings in the current HTS says the same thing: the exclusion applies to entries through November 9, 2026.

What duty applies after the exclusion ends?

The product pays the Section 301 duty of its list again. The entry then reports the Chapter 99 heading of that list instead of 9903.88.69 or 9903.88.70. Common list headings are:

The Section 301 duty is added to the normal duty of the HTS number. For example, a product of China with a normal duty of 2.5% and a List 3 duty of 25% pays 27.5% of the entered value. Other duties can also apply to the same product. Check the full Chapter 99 stack for each HTS number before you set prices.

Which date decides if the exclusion applies?

The date of entry for consumption decides. For goods in a bonded warehouse, the date of withdrawal for consumption decides. The date of shipment and the invoice date do not count.

19 CFR 141.68 sets the time of entry. In most cases, it is the time when CBP authorizes the release of the goods. If the entry is filed before arrival, the importer can ask for the time of arrival within the port limits instead. A container that leaves China in October but is entered after November 9 pays the full Section 301 duty.

A bonded warehouse does not keep the exclusion. Goods that go into a warehouse before November 9 and come out after it pay the duty that applies on the day of withdrawal.

What changed for four exclusions on July 1, 2026?

On July 1, 2026, some ten-digit HTS numbers changed. Four exclusions still named the old numbers. On September 2, 2026, USTR amended them to name the new numbers, with effect from July 1, 2026 (91 FR 56538).

• Three exclusions for pump parts now name 8413.91.9039, 8413.91.9046, 8413.91.9059 and 8413.91.9099. Before July 1, the goods were under 8413.91.9065, 8413.91.9085 or 8413.91.9096.
• One exclusion for plastic articles now names 3926.90.9915 and 3926.90.9920. Before July 1, the goods were under 3926.90.9910.

ACE accepts the amended exclusions from noon on September 23, 2026 (CSMS #69990649). CBP says that importers who paid Section 301 duty on these goods from July 1 to September 22, 2026 should file a post-summary correction to get a refund. If the entry has liquidated, a protest is the way to ask for the refund.

What should importers do before November 9?

1. List every product that you enter under 9903.88.69 or 9903.88.70. Your broker can pull this from your entries.
2. For each product, find the Section 301 list heading and the duty rate that will apply from November 10.
3. Check the shipments that are on the water. Find out which ones your broker can enter by November 9.
4. Update your landed cost and your prices for the goods that will arrive after November 9.
5. Check the four renumbered exclusions. If you paid Section 301 duty on those goods from July 1 to September 22, 2026, ask for the refund.
6. Watch for a USTR notice. USTR can extend, change or end the exclusions. We post each new CBP message on our Trade News page.

Can I still claim an exclusion on past entries?

Yes, if the goods met the exclusion on the date of entry and you paid the Section 301 duty. File a post-summary correction if the entry has not liquidated. After liquidation, you have 180 days to file a protest (19 U.S.C. 1514).

The product must match the exclusion text exactly. The HTS number alone is not enough: the product must also fit the description in the U.S. note. Keep the product specifications with the entry records.

How can Allied help?

Allied is a licensed U.S. customs broker (CBP filer code 9AJ). We can list your entries that claim a Section 301 exclusion, calculate the duty from November 10 and time the entries of goods on the water.

For past entries, our duty recovery audit finds Section 301 duty that you paid on excluded goods. We file the post-summary corrections or protests.