[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65882-65885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25820]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Notice of Product Exclusions: China's Acts, Policies, and 
Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and 
Innovation

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice of product exclusions.

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SUMMARY: In September 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed 
additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of 
approximately $200 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 
investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to 
technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. 
Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in June 
2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion 
of specific

[[Page 65883]]

products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's 
determination to grant certain exclusion requests specified in the 
Annex to this notice.

DATES: The product exclusions announced in this notice will apply as of 
the September 24, 2018, effective date of the $200 billion action, to 
August 7, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions about this 
notice, contact Assistant General Counsels Philip Butler or Megan 
Grimball, or Director of Industrial Goods Justin Hoffmann at (202) 395-
5725. For specific questions on customs classification or 
implementation of the product exclusions identified in the annex to 
this notice, contact [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    For background on the proceedings in this investigation, please see 
the prior notices issued in the investigation, including 82 FR 40213 
(August 23, 2017), 83 FR 14906 (April 6, 2018), 83 FR 28710 (June 20, 
2018), 83 FR 33608 (July 17, 2018), 83 FR 38760 (August 7, 2018), 83 FR 
47974 (September 21, 2018), 83 FR 49153 (September 28, 2018), 83 FR 
65198 (December 19, 2018), 84 FR 7966 (March 5, 2019), 84 FR 20459 (May 
9, 2019), 84 FR 29576 (June 24, 2019), 84 FRN 38717 (August 7, 2019), 
84 FR 46212 (September 3, 2019), 84 FR 49591 (September 20, 2019), 84 
FR 57803 (October 28, 2019), and 84 FR 61674 (November 13, 2019).
    Effective September 24, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed 
additional 10 percent duties on goods of China classified in 5,757 full 
and partial subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States (HTSUS), with an approximate annual trade value of $200 billion. 
See 83 FR 47974, as modified by 83 FR 49153. In May 2019, the U.S. 
Trade Representative increased the additional duty to 25 percent. See 
84 FR 20459. On June 24, 2019, the U.S. Trade Representative 
established a process by which U.S. stakeholders can request exclusion 
of particular products classified within an 8-digit HTSUS subheading 
covered by the $200 billion action from the additional duties. See 84 
FR 29576 (the June 24 notice).
    Under the June 24 notice, requests for exclusion had to identify 
the product subject to the request in terms of the physical 
characteristics that distinguish it from other products within the 
relevant 8-digit subheading covered by the $200 billion action. 
Requestors also had to provide the 10-digit subheading of the HTSUS 
most applicable to the particular product requested for exclusion, and 
could submit information on the ability of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection to administer the requested exclusion. Requestors were asked 
to provide the quantity and value of the Chinese-origin product that 
the requestor purchased in the last three years. With regard to the 
rationale for the requested exclusion, requests had to address the 
following factors:
     Whether the particular product is available only from 
China and specifically whether the particular product and/or a 
comparable product is available from sources in the United States and/
or third countries.
     Whether the imposition of additional duties on the 
particular product would cause severe economic harm to the requestor or 
other U.S. interests.
     Whether the particular product is strategically important 
or related to ``Made in China 2025'' or other Chinese industrial 
programs.

The June 24 notice stated that the U.S. Trade Representative would take 
into account whether an exclusion would undermine the objective of the 
Section 301 investigation.
    The June 24 notice required submission of requests for exclusion 
from the $200 billion action no later than September 30, 2019, and 
noted that the U.S. Trade Representative periodically would announce 
decisions. In August 2019, the U.S. Trade Representative granted an 
initial set of exclusion requests. See 84 FR 38717. The U.S. Trade 
Representative granted additional exclusions in September, October, and 
November 2019. See 84 FR 49591, 84 FR 57803, and 84 FR 61674. The 
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) regularly 
updates the status of each pending request on the USTR Exclusions 
Portal at https://exclusions.ustr.gov/s/docket?docketNumber=USTR-2019-0005.

B. Determination To Grant Certain Exclusions

    Based on the evaluation of the factors set out in the June 24 
notice, which are summarized above, pursuant to sections 301(b), 
301(c), and 307(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, and in 
accordance with the advice of the interagency Section 301 Committee, 
the U.S. Trade Representative has determined to grant the product 
exclusions set out in the Annex to this notice. The U.S. Trade 
Representative's determination also takes into account advice from 
advisory committees and any public comments on the pertinent exclusion 
requests.
    As set out in the Annex, the exclusions are reflected in 32 
specially prepared product descriptions, which cover 39 separate 
exclusion requests.
    In accordance with the June 24 notice, the exclusions are available 
for any product that meets the description in the Annex, regardless of 
whether the importer filed an exclusion request. Further, the scope of 
each exclusion is governed by the scope of the product descriptions in 
the Annex, and not by the product descriptions set out in any 
particular request for exclusion.
    Paragraph A, subparagraphs (3)-(5) are conforming amendments to the 
HTSUS reflecting the modification made by the Annex.
    Paragraph B, subparagraph (1) is a typographical correction of U.S. 
note 20(ll)(23) to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS that 
modifies the unit of measurement published in the annex to the notice 
published at 84 FR 57803 (October 28, 2019). Paragraph B, subparagraphs 
(2)-(5), make conforming amendments to note 20(g) published at 83 FR 
47974 (September 21, 2019), note 20(ll) published at 84 FR 57803 
(October 28, 2019), note 20(mm) published at 84 FR 61674 (November 13, 
2019), and heading 9903.88.04 of the HTSUS published at 83 FR 47974 
(September 21, 2019).
    As stated in the September 20, 2019 notice, the exclusions will 
apply from September 24, 2018, to August 7, 2020. U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection will issue instructions on entry guidance and 
implementation.
    The U.S. Trade Representative will continue to issue determinations 
on pending requests on a periodic basis.

Joseph Barloon,
General Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Annex

    A. Effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or 
withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. 
eastern daylight time on September 24, 2018, subchapter III of chapter 
99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) is 
modified:
    1. By inserting the following new heading 9903.88.35 in numerical 
sequence, with the material in the new heading inserted in the columns 
of the HTSUS labeled ``Heading/Subheading'', ``Article Description'', 
and ``Rates of Duty 1-General'', respectively:

[[Page 65884]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Rates of duty
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
     Heading/ subheading          Article description                       1
                                                        -----------------------------------------        2
                                                                 General              Special
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``9903.88.35.................  Articles the product of   The duty provided in
                                China, as provided for    the applicable
                                in U.S. note 20(nn) to    subheading''.
                                this subchapter, each
                                covered by an exclusion
                                granted by the U.S.
                                Trade Representative.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. by inserting the following new U.S. note 20(nn) to subchapter 
III of chapter 99 in numerical sequence:
    ``(nn) The U.S. Trade Representative determined to establish a 
process by which particular products classified in heading 9903.88.03 
and provided for in U.S. notes 20(e) and (f) to this subchapter could 
be excluded from the additional duties imposed by heading 9903.88.03, 
and by which particular products classified in heading 9903.88.04 and 
provided for in U.S. note 20(g) to this subchapter could be excluded 
from the additional duties imposed by heading 9903.88.04. See 83 FR 
47974 (September 21, 2018) and 84 FR 29576 (June 24, 2019). Pursuant to 
the product exclusion process, the U.S. Trade Representative has 
determined that the additional duties provided for in heading 
9903.88.03 shall not apply to the following particular products, which 
are provided for in the enumerated statistical reporting numbers:

(1) Candy lollipops, not containing cocoa, such goods put up for retail 
sale in packings in the form of a larger plastic lollipop, each 
comprising a spheroid container with a major axis of 14 cm and a minor 
axis of 11 cm, with and a plastic stick measuring 22 cm in length 
inserted in the bottom of the container, with the container portion 
wrapped in printed plastic film cinched at the container's bottom by a 
printed hang tag (described in statistical reporting number 
1704.90.3550)
(2) Sodium metal (CAS No. 7440-23-5), in bulk solid form (described in 
statistical reporting number 2805.11.0000)
(3) Plastic trays, of a kind used for retail packaging, custom vacuum 
formed from polyvinyl chloride or polystyrene sheets (0.45 to 0.9 mm in 
thickness), each measuring 7.62 cm or more but not over 53.34 cm in 
length, 17.15 cm or more but not over 42.55 cm in width, and 3.18 cm or 
more but not over 15.24 cm in depth (described in statistical reporting 
number 3923.10.9000)
(4) Nonelectrical graphite sheets, flexible, measuring 1,000 mm in 
length, 1,000 mm in width, and 0.8 mm or more but not exceeding 1.5 mm 
in thickness (described in statistical reporting number 6815.10.0100)
(5) Grinding beads of yttria-stabilized zirconia (described in 
statistical reporting number 6909.11.2000)
(6) Tube or pipe sleeves (couplings) of alloy steel (except stainless 
steel), threaded, each weighing 0.19 kg or more but not over 18.2 kg, 
measuring 305 cm in length, measuring 1.2 cm or more but not over 10.2 
cm in diameter, UL listed (described in statistical reporting number 
7307.92.3030)
(7) Butt welding tube or pipe elbows of galvanized steel, each weighing 
0.19 kg or more but not over 17 kg, measuring 12 mm or more but not 
over 102 mm in inside diameter, UL listed (described in statistical 
reporting number 7307.93.6000)
(8) Foldable stepladders of steel, each with 2, 3 or 4 steps and safety 
latch, with load capacity of 90 kg or more but not over 140 kg 
(described in statistical reporting number 7326.90.8660)
(9) Flat panel display mounting adapters of base metal (described in 
statistical reporting number 8302.50.0000)
(10) Telescoping curtain rod sets put up for retail sale, each set 
including two or more cylindrical telescoping rods, two or more wall 
brackets capable of affixing the rods to building components, all the 
foregoing of steel, and two or more rod finials of resins or other 
plastics, the foregoing not including mechanisms for opening or closing 
curtains (described in statistical reporting number 8302.41.6050)
(11) Electric display cases incorporating refrigerating equipment 
designed for commercial use, each with a glass front to display the 
food or drink being stored (described in statistical reporting number 
8418.50.0080)
(12) Wireline bridge plug assemblies for use in oil and gas fields, 
compliant with Specification 11D1 of the American Petroleum Institute 
(API), each composed of cylindrically shaped, sand cast, cast iron 
components with a nitrile rubber sealing element and brass element 
backup rings, measuring 3.7 cm or more but not over 52 cm in diameter 
and 30 cm or more but not over 72 cm in length (described in 
statistical reporting number 8479.89.9450)
(13) Vacuum cleaners, bagless, upright, capable of operating in wet 
mode or dry mode, each with self-contained electric motor of a power 
not exceeding 1,500 W and having a tank capacity not over 4 liters 
(described in statistical reporting number 8508.11.0000)
(14) Vacuum cleaners, bagless, upright, each with self-contained 
electric motor of a power not exceeding 1,500 W and having a dust 
receptacle capacity not exceeding 1 liter (described in statistical 
reporting number 8508.11.0000)
(15) Starter motors for internal combustion gasoline engines designed 
for use in the lawn, automotive, watercraft, motorcycle, industrial and 
garden industries (described in statistical reporting number 
8511.40.0000)
(16) EGR coolant tube assemblies of stainless steel for diesel powered 
vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705 (described in statistical reporting 
number 8708.99.8180)
(17) Bicycles, not motorized, each having aluminum- or magnesium- alloy 
wheels both measuring more than 69 cm but not more than 71 cm in 
diameter, tires of cross-sectional diameter of 3.5 cm, aluminum frame, 
a polyurethane/carbon fiber cord drive belt, 3-, 7- or 12-speed rear 
hub and twist shifter (described in statistical reporting number 
8712.00.2500)
(18) Single-speed bicycles meeting the criteria of HTS subheading 
8712.00.44, each having steel frame, with aluminum stems, rims and 
crankset and with rider contact area of plastics, each bicycle weighing 
not over 11.5 kg (described in statistical reporting number 
8712.00.4400)
(19) Carts (other than industrial hand trucks and portable luggage 
carts) that convert into ladders, each

[[Page 65885]]

weighing not more than 15 kg, measuring not more than 105 cm by 56 cm 
by 11 cm (described in statistical reporting number 8716.80.5090)
(20) Dump carts, each with a steel frame, a plastic bed and four 
pneumatic tires on wheels, with a capacity not exceeding 550 kg 
(described in statistical reporting number 8716.80.5090)
(21) Canoes (other than of wood or of metal) each valued over $800, not 
of a type designed to be principally used with motors or sails 
(described in statistical reporting number 8903.99.0500)
(22) Folding chairs with aluminum frames, each comprising a seat of 
polyester ripstop fabric and polyester netting and an aluminum frame, 
weighing not more than 600 g (described in statistical reporting number 
9401.79.0015)
(23) Folding tables designed for camping, each composed of a polyester 
ripstop fabric top designed to assemble onto an aluminum frame, the 
foregoing when opened for use measures 53.34 cm x 41.91 cm x 36.83 and 
weighs under 0.9 kg (described in statistical reporting number 
9403.20.0050)
(24) Outdoor tables of steel and aluminum, each measuring no more than 
93 cm by 93 cm by 63 cm, incorporating a built-in gas-burning fire pit 
(described in statistical reporting number 9403.20.0050)
(25) Foldable cots with frames of steel and/or aluminum, each with 
sleeping surface of polyester or nylon fabric, each cot measuring 185 
cm or more but not over 230 cm in length, 70 cm or more but not over 
105 cm in width and 7 cm or more but not over 58 cm in height 
(described in statistical reporting number 9403.20.0090)
(26) Foldable tables with frames of steel and/or aluminum, each 
measuring 25 cm or more but not over 156 cm in length, 30 cm or more 
but not over 80 cm in width and 37 cm or more but not over 113 cm in 
height, with a tabletop surface of aluminum (described in statistical 
reporting number 9403.20.0090)
(27) Electric household floor-standing lamps, of base metal other than 
brass, each measuring 1.22 m or more but not over 2.59 m in height, 
with an E26 socket (described in statistical reporting number 
9405.20.6010)
(28) Electric household floor-standing lamps, of base metal other than 
brass, each measuring 77 cm or more but not over 232 cm in height with 
light-emitting diode (LED) lamp as light source (described in 
statistical reporting number 9405.20.6010)
(29) Electric household table or desk lamps, of base metal other than 
brass, each measuring 25 cm or more but not over 92 cm in height with 
an E26 socket (described in statistical reporting number 9405.20.6010)
(30) Electric household table or desk lamps, of base metal other than 
brass, each measuring 38 cm or more but not over 87 cm in height, with 
light-emitting diode (LED) lamp as light source and featuring an AC 
outlet, a charging pad and USB port designed for the charging of 
electronic devices (described in statistical reporting number 
9405.20.6010)
(31) Electric household floor-standing lamps, of wood, each measuring 
115 cm or more but not over 210 cm in height, with an E26 socket 
(described in statistical reporting number 9405.20.8010)
(32) Electric household table or desk lamps, of wood, each measuring 25 
cm or more but not over 80 cm in height, with an E26 socket (described 
in statistical reporting number 9405.20.8010)''
    3. by amending the last sentence of the first paragraph of U.S. 
note 20(e) to subchapter III of chapter 99:
    a. By deleting the word ``or'' where it appears after the phrase 
``U.S. note 20(ll) to subchapter III of chapter 99;''; and
    b. by inserting the phrase ``; or (5) heading 9903.88.35 and U.S. 
note 20(nn) to subchapter III of chapter 99'' after the phrase ``U.S. 
note 20(mm) to subchapter III of chapter 99''.
    4. by amending U.S. note 20(f) to subchapter III of chapter 99:
    a. By deleting the word ``or'' where it appears after the phrase 
``U.S. note 20(ll) to subchapter III of chapter 99;''; and
    b. by inserting the phrase ``; or (5) heading 9903.88.35 and U.S. 
note 20(nn) to subchapter III of chapter 99'' after the phrase ``U.S. 
note 20(mm) to subchapter III of chapter 99''.
    5. by amending the Article Description of heading 9903.88.03:
    a. By deleting ``9903.88.33 or'' and inserting ``9903.88.33,'' in 
lieu thereof; and
    b. by inserting ``or 9903.88.35,'' after ``9903.88.34,''.
    B. Effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or 
withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. 
eastern daylight time on September 24, 2018:
    1. U.S. note 20(ll)(23) to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) is modified by 
deleting ``Articulated chains of iron, not over 8 mm in thickness and 
valued not over $2 per kg (described in statistical reporting number 
7315.12.0080)'' and inserting ``Articulated chains of iron, not over 8 
mm in thickness and valued not over $2 per m (described in statistical 
reporting number 7315.12.0080)'' in lieu thereof.
    2. U.S. note 20(g) to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is 
amended by inserting the following phrase at the end of the first 
sentence after the phrase ``the following products of China'':
    ``, except products of China granted an exclusion by the U.S. Trade 
Representative and provided for in: (1) heading 9903.88.33 and U.S. 
note 20(ll) to subchapter III of chapter 99; or (2) heading 9903.88.34 
and U.S. note 20(mm) to subchapter III of chapter 99''.
    3. U.S. note 20(ll) to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is 
amended by inserting the following phrase at the end of the first 
sentence after the phrase ``imposed by heading 9903.88.03'':
    ``, and by which particular products classified in heading 
9903.88.04 and provided for in U.S. note 20(g) to this subchapter could 
be excluded from the additional duties imposed by heading 9903.88.04''.
    4. U.S. note 20(mm) to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is 
amended by inserting the following phrase at the end of the first 
sentence after the phrase ``imposed by heading 9903.88.03'':
    ``, and by which particular products classified in heading 
9903.88.04 and provided for in U.S. note 20(g) to this subchapter could 
be excluded from the additional duties imposed by heading 9903.88.04''.
    5. The article description of heading 9903.88.04 of the HTSUS is 
amended by deleting ``Articles'' and inserting in lieu thereof the 
phrase ``Except as provided in headings 9903.88.33 or 9903.88.34, 
articles''.

[FR Doc. 2019-25820 Filed 11-27-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3290-F0-P