Notice of Modification of Section 301 Action (From theOffice of the United States Trade Representative)
The U.S. Trade Representative (Trade Representative) has determined to modify the action being taken in this Section 301 investigation by postponing the date on which the rate of the additional duties will increase to 25 percent for the products of China… the rate of additional duty for the products covered by the September 2018 action will increase to 25 percent on March 2, 2019 instead of January 1. For more info, please go to
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2018-12-19/pdf/2018-27458.pdf
Imported Composite Wood Products Must be TSCA Compliant as of March 22, 2019 (From Sandler Travis)
A December 2016 final rule from the Environmental Protection Agency established national formaldehyde emission standards and a third-party certification system for regulated composite wood products (i.e., panels), including hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard, to ensure those panels are compliant before being sold to end users or fabricated into component parts or finished goods (furniture, cabinets, picture frames, toys, etc.). Between June 1, 2018, and March 22, 2019, such goods that are imported into or manufactured in the U.S. must be (a) certified as compliant with either Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act or the California Air Resources Board’s Airborne Toxic Control Measures Phase II emission standards by a third-party certifier approved by CARB and recognized by EPA and (b) labeled as compliant with the relevant standard.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is now advising interested parties that after March 22, 2019, such goods may only be certified and labeled as compliant with TSCA Title VI; labeling them as compliant with the CARB ATCM Phase II standards will not be sufficient. For more info, please go to
https://www.strtrade.com/news-publications-imported-composite-wood-products-121318.html?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTVRGbE9XWm1PVEEwTURBNSIsInQiOiIyYlwvYTFFOEFHOHhVenB0UmxSbHZhVXJUbGdOWTZHOHZYQlhWaGhLNEdoRUEySEpOdmlQSm04b1wvOWF6RmR3bENUYVE1WjhzZHNoRTRFXC9qVWFTa0hvczJcL1YrRXpmczc3bUVSTEVcL1FwVFlBY1VRU1wvdWIydXkzMXlNOEhIcVF1NyJ9#utm_source=tradereport&utm_medium=email
or view the original rule, Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products, at
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0461-0001
BREXIT may not affect imports from UK
According to our UK agent, cargo destined for the US may not be affected significantly even if there is no deal for Brexit between the UK & EU. He states that the current staffing of customs officials is sufficient to handle the existing traffic. The problems will come for the east coast ports of UK, such as Dover, that receive cargo from the EU, and the northern EU ports, such as LeHavre, that receive shipments from the UK. There is not nearly enough infrastructure in these ports to handle the existing volume of traffic if it must be customs cleared and released.
Natalie is back!
Natalie Rohrer returned to Atlanta in late January, and she has rejoined our staff. Please join me in welcoming her back!
Contact us with any questions.
Lee Hardeman LeeH@LHCB.com Direct: 404-477-3452
Sandy Cato SandyC@LHCB.com Direct: 404-477-3454
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