Member Input Requested on Section 301 Tariffs

By Jake Parker on August 6, 2018 | |
tariffs

UPDATE: SIA will host a webinar briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 15, for members to discuss the tariffs. Register immediately for this webinar, titled “Section 301 Tariffs and the Security Industry.”

The Security Industry Association (SIA) is seeking input on the series of tariffs on Chinese goods imposed and proposed by the Trump administration pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Specifically, SIA is requesting member feedback in two categories related to opportunities for association comments/requests to the United States Trade Representative (USTR):

  1. Any significant potential impact on your business that would result from the administration’s most recent proposal to impose up to 25 percent in additional tariffs on approximately $200 billion in goods imported from China. This feedback will be used to help inform potential general comments to USTR by SIA on behalf of its members.
  2. Whether SIA should file specific exclusion requests from the currently imposed tariffs as an association and, if so, the security-related products you believe should be excluded and the expected industry-wide impact. The first round of tariffs imposed a 25% duty covering a trade value of approximately $34 billion of Chinese products, effective July 6, 2018.  SIA’s general comments identified 56 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) product categories included in this first round that are likely to affect the security industry.  View the full list of product categories included in the first round. Any member input should, to the extent possible, include information requested by USTR for exclusion requests and a justification that meets one or more of its evaluation criteria. (Note: Companies may also file their own requests individually.)

SIA members are urged to provide any feedback in either category by Friday, Aug. 24.  (Note: Any such input to SIA from members will remain confidential unless we are instructed otherwise.) Please send feedback or direct questions on the matter to Jake Parker, SIA’s director of government relations, at jparker@securityindustry.org.

Attention SIA members! Join SIA for a briefing on the Section 301 tariffs and the security industry.

In this members-only briefing on Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. EDT, we’ll provide an overview of the timelines and deadlines associated with these actions, examine some of the security products potentially impacted and detail some of the issues security firms should consider in determining whether to file comments or exclusion requests with the U.S. Department of Commerce. SIA will also discuss its request for input from members in potential comments or requests on behalf of the industry. The briefing will be led by Susan Kohn Ross, partner at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, and Jake Parker. Register to attend.