Additional Guidelines on UK/EU Tariff Suspensions

Last night, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued message CSMS #46561075 providing additional information on the implementation of the four-month tariff suspension on goods from the UK in connection to the Boeing/Airbus dispute. This notice provided additional guidance, procedures and clarified effective dates of the tariff suspension. The message stated:

 • Per subparagraph 2 of the Annex to the notice, products of the United Kingdom falling under HTS subheadings 9903.89.05, 9903.89.07, 9903.89.10, 9903.89.13, 9903.89.16, 9903.89.19, 9903.89.22, 9903.89.25, 9903.89.28, 9903.89.31, 9903.89.34, 9903.89.40, 9903.89.43, 9903.89.46, 9903.89.49, 9903.89.50, and 9903.89.55 will not be subject to additional Section 301 duties for imports, or warehouse withdrawals for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on March 4, 2021 and before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on July 4, 2021.

• Importers shall not submit the corresponding Chapter 99 HTS number for the Section 301 LCA duties for products of the UK during the four-month suspension period.

Additionally, the USTR issued a re-publication of the Federal Register notice relating to the EU tariff suspensions in conjunction with the Boeing/Airbus dispute. This notice clarified the effective dates of the four month suspension for EU tariffs stating, “The 4-month tariff suspension applies to products from the EU entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on March 11, 2021, and before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on July 11, 2021.” The full notice is attached here for reference.  We now await the publication of a CSMS message from Customs providing the final guidelines for entry filing.

This is a very positive development for the alcohol beverage industry on both sides of the Atlantic. The goal is for businesses to focus on regrowth and development following the difficulties of the past year. We are hopeful for the success of this suspension, and will continue to push for permanent removal of all alcohol beverage products affected by these aircraft disputes. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.