Friday, September 7, 2018

MTB Update

On September 4, 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted the version of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill passed by the Senate on July 26, 2018. The MTB provides duty suspensions and reductions that will remain in place until December 31, 2020. Although the House had passed the MTB back on January 16, 2018, the Senate removed Sec. 324 (propargyl butylcarbamate), Sec. 372 (the pesticide esfenvalerate), Sec. 1389 (rotary cutting hand tools), Sec. 1564 (electric commercial vehicles), Sec. 1118 (collapsible insulated bags) and Sec. 1399 (full-tang knives) from the MTB. The Senate amendment also made changes to Sections 1274, 1275, and 1305, all relating to certain boots. Because the two bills were no longer identical, the House needed to vote again to accept the Senate version.

No products added to the House MTB at the request of Agathon Associates' clients are among those removed or modified in the final version.

On September 6, 2018, the MTB was sent to the President for his signature. If signed by the President, it will take effect in 30 days. While most news outlets are reporting that the President is likely to sign, some do point out that the bill, which would slash tariffs on many goods of Chinese origin is coming to him just as he is threatening new tariffs on China.

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