U.S. Importers, Manufacturers and Others Still Have Time to Petition for Reduced or Suspended Duties

Through December 10, 2019, U.S. importers, manufacturers and other interested parties may petition the International Trade Commission (“ITC”) for a three-year reduction or suspension of import duties on non-U.S. origin products under the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (“MTB”). The MTB is a law that temporarily reduces or suspends the import tariffs paid on particular products imported into the United States. A successful petition could result in substantial savings, capped at $500,000. 

Petitions must include product descriptions, current and proposed duty rates, and information on any domestic production, among other information. Once filed, the petition will be made publicly available for individuals and organizations to comment. Following the comment period, the Department of Commerce, along with the ITC, will conduct an analysis, which takes into account any domestic production of the product under review, as well as whether any domestic producer objects to the request. Congress has final responsibility for determining which products, if any, should have their duty reduced or suspended. Altogether, this MTB process will likely take more than a year to complete. 

While there are no restrictions on the types of products that can be the subject of an MTB Petition, products that are used as manufacturing inputs and products that are not produced in the United States are most likely to be successful. We are happy to help your business evaluate your chance of success. If you would like additional information about the MTB process or if you are considering filing a MTB Petition, please contact the attorneys listed below, or your usual Winston & Strawn attorney.