Notice of Product Exclusions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation, 25895-25898 [2019-11573]

Agencies

• Office of the United States Trade Representative

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 4, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25895-25898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11573]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Notice of Product Exclusions: China's Acts, Policies, and 
Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and 
Innovation

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice of product exclusions.

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SUMMARY: Effective July 6, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative (Trade 
Representative) imposed additional duties on goods of China with an 
annual trade value of approximately $34 billion (the $34 billion 
action) as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of 
China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, 
intellectual property, and innovation. The Trade Representative's 
determination included a decision to establish a product exclusion 
process. The Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in 
July 2018, and stakeholders have submitted requests for the exclusion 
of specific products. In December 2018, March 2019, April 2019, and May 
2019, the Trade Representative granted exclusion requests. This notice 
announces the Trade Representative's determination to grant additional 
exclusion requests, as specified in the Annex to this notice. The Trade 
Representative will continue to issue decisions on pending requests on 
a periodic basis.

DATES: The product exclusions announced in this notice will apply as of 
the July 6, 2018 effective date of the $34 billion action, and will 
extend for one year after the publication of this notice. U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection will issue instructions on entry guidance and 
implementation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions about this 
notice, contact Assistant General Counsels Philip Butler or Megan 
Grimball, or Director of Industrial Goods Justin Hoffmann at (202) 395-
5725. For specific questions on customs classification or 
implementation of the product exclusions identified in the Annex to 
this notice, contact [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    For background on the proceedings in this investigation, please see 
the prior notices issued in the investigation, including 82 FR 40213 
(August 24, 2017), 83 FR 14906 (April 6, 2018), 83 FR 28710 (June 20, 
2018), 83 FR 33608 (July 17, 2018), 83 FR 38760 (August 7, 2018), 83 FR 
40823 (August 16, 2018), 83 FR 47974 (September 21, 2018), 83 FR 65198 
(December 19, 2018), 83 FR 67463 (December 28, 2018), 84 FR 7966 (March 
5, 2019), 84 FR 11152 (March 25, 2019), 84 FR 16310 (April 18, 2019), 
and 84 FR 21389 (May 14, 2019).
    Effective July 6, 2018, the Trade Representative imposed additional 
25 percent duties on goods of China classified in 818 8-digit 
subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
(HTSUS), with an approximate annual trade value of $34 billion. See 83 
FR 28710. The Trade Representative's determination included a decision 
to establish a process by which U.S. stakeholders may request exclusion 
of particular products classified within an 8-digit HTSUS subheading 
covered by the $34 billion action from the additional duties. The Trade 
Representative issued a notice setting out the process for the product 
exclusions, and opened a public docket. See 83 FR 32181 (the July 11 
notice).
    Under the July 11 notice, requests for exclusion had to identify 
the product subject to the request in terms of the physical 
characteristics that distinguish the product from other products within 
the relevant 8-digit subheading covered by the $34 billion action. 
Requestors also had to provide the 10-digit subheading of the HTSUS 
most applicable to the particular product requested for exclusion, and 
could submit information on the ability of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection to administer the requested exclusion. Requestors were asked 
to provide the quantity and value of the Chinese-origin product that 
the requestor purchased in the last three years. With regard to the 
rationale for the requested exclusion, requests had to address the 
following factors:
     Whether the particular product is available only from 
China and specifically whether the particular product and/or a 
comparable product is available from sources in the United States and/
or third countries.
     Whether the imposition of additional duties on the 
particular product would cause severe economic harm to the requestor or 
other U.S. interests.
     Whether the particular product is strategically important 
or related to ``Made in China 2025'' or other Chinese industrial 
programs.
    The July 11 notice stated that the Trade Representative would take 
into account whether an exclusion would undermine the objective of the 
Section 301 investigation.
    The July 11 notice required submission of requests for exclusion 
from the $34 billion action no later than October 9, 2018, and noted 
that the Trade Representative would periodically announce decisions. In 
December 2018, the Trade Representative granted an initial set of 
exclusion requests. See 83 FR 67463. The Trade Representative granted a 
second, third, and fourth set of exclusions in March 2019, April 2019, 
and May 2019. See 84 FR 11152, 84 FR 16310, and 84 FR 21389. The Office 
of the United States Trade Representative regularly updates the status 
of each pending request and posts the status at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/section-301-china/section-301-exclusion-process.

B. Determination To Grant Certain Exclusions

    Based on the evaluation of the factors set out in the July 11 
notice, which are summarized above, pursuant to sections 301(b), 
301(c), and 307(a) of the Trade

[[Page 25896]]

Act of 1974, as amended, and in accordance with the advice of the 
interagency Section 301 Committee, the Trade Representative has 
determined to grant the product exclusions set out in the Annex to this 
notice. The Trade Representative's determination also takes into 
account advice from advisory committees and any public comments on the 
pertinent exclusion requests.
    As set out in the Annex to this notice, the exclusions are 
established in two different formats: (1) As an exclusion for an 
existing 10-digit subheading from within an 8-digit subheading covered 
by the $34 billion action, or (2) as an exclusion reflected in 
specially prepared product descriptions. In particular, the exclusions 
take the form of one 10-digit HTSUS subheading, and 88 specially 
prepared product descriptions.
    In accordance with the July 11 notice, the exclusions are available 
for any product that meets the description in the Annex, regardless of 
whether the importer filed an exclusion request. Further, the scope of 
each exclusion is governed by the scope of the product descriptions in 
the Annex to this notice, and not by the product descriptions set out 
in any particular request for exclusion.
    The exclusions in the Annex cover approximately 464 separate 
exclusion requests: The excluded 10-digit subheading covers 40 separate 
requests, and the 88 specially prepared product descriptions cover 
approximately 424 separate requests.
    Paragraph A, subparagraphs (3)-(5) are conforming amendments to the 
HTSUS reflecting the modification made by the Annex to this notice.
    As stated in the July 11 notice, the exclusions will apply as of 
the July 6, 2018 effective date of the $34 billion action, and extend 
for one year after the publication of this notice. U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection will issue instructions on entry guidance and 
implementation.
    The Trade Representative will continue to issue determinations on 
pending requests on a periodic basis.

Joseph Barloon,
General Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Annex

    A. Effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or 
withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. 
eastern daylight time on July 6, 2018, subchapter III of chapter 99 of 
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) is 
modified:
    1. By inserting the following new heading 9903.88.10 in numerical 
sequence, with the material in the new heading inserted in the columns 
of the HTSUS labeled ``Heading/Subheading'', ``Article Description'', 
and ``Rates of Duty 1-General'', respectively:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Rates of duty
                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------
 Heading/ subheading         Article description                           1
                                                       -----------------------------------------        2
                                                              General              Special
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``9903.88.10.........  Articles the product of China,   The duty provided
                        as provided for in U.S. note     in the applicable
                        20(m) to this subchapter, each   subheading''
                        covered by an exclusion
                        granted by the U.S. Trade
                        Representative.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. by inserting the following new U.S. note 20(m) to subchapter III 
of chapter 99 in numerical sequence:
    ``(m) The U.S. Trade Representative determined to establish a 
process by which particular products classified in heading 9903.88.01 
and provided for in U.S. notes 20(a) and 20(b) to this subchapter could 
be excluded from the additional duties imposed by heading 9903.88.01. 
See 83 FR 28710 (June 20, 2018) and 83 FR 32181 (July 11, 2018). 
Pursuant to the product exclusion process, the U.S. Trade 
Representative has determined that the additional duties provided for 
in heading 9903.88.01 shall not apply to the following particular 
products, which are provided for in the enumerated statistical 
reporting numbers:

(1) 8537.10.8000
(2) Parts of nonaircraft gas turbines, other than rotors, spindles, 
rotor assemblies, spindle assemblies or steel forgings (described in 
statistical reporting number 8411.99.9085)
(3) Oil well and oil field crank-balanced, long-stroke and beam pumps 
(described in statistical reporting number 8413.50.0010)
(4) Radial piston hydraulic fluid pumps weighing not over 500 grams 
(described in statistical reporting number 8413.50.0070)
(5) Centrifugal pumps, submersible, designed for use in apparatus for 
supplying water to pets (described in statistical reporting number 
8413.70.2004)
(6) Centrifugal pumps, submersible, other than for use with machines 
for making cellulosic pulp, paper or paperboard; the foregoing pumps 
rated not over 1.5 kW (described in statistical reporting number 
8413.70.2004)
(7) Submersible dual port pump designed for use in swimming pools 
(described in statistical reporting number 8413.70.2004)
(8) Submersible pump designed for use in aquariums, not over 325 mm 
tall (described in statistical reporting number 8413.70.2004)
(9) Submersible pump incorporating a magnetic drive motor (described in 
statistical reporting number 8413.70.2004)
(10) Submersible pumps, rated not over 1 horsepower, designed for use 
in pumping raw sewage (described in statistical reporting number 
8413.70.2004)
(11) Sump pumps, submersible, rated not over 1 horsepower, activated by 
float switch (described in statistical reporting number 8413.70.2004)
(12) Centrifugal pumps, not for use with machines for making cellulosic 
pulp, paper or paperboard, not submersible, the foregoing single-stage, 
single-suction, close-coupled and with discharge outlet under 5.1 cm in 
diameter (described in statistical reporting number 8413.70.2005)
(13) Centrifugal pumps designed for eliminating condensate, the 
foregoing not elsewhere specified or included (described in statistical 
reporting number 8413.70.2090)
(14) Housings for water pumps of subheading 8413.30.90 (as described in 
subheading 8413.91.9010)
(15) Impellers for water pumps of subheading 8413.30.90 (described in 
statistical reporting number 8413.91.9010)
(16) Hydraulic pump positioning piston assemblies (described in 
statistical reporting number 8413.91.9060)

[[Page 25897]]

(17) Plastic reservoirs for motor vehicle brake master cylinders 
(described in statistical reporting number 8413.91.9060)
(18) Airend assemblies, inlet guide vanes, air-ends, compressor 
baseplates and backplates (described in statistical reporting number 
8414.90.4190)
(19) Stand-alone icemaking machines, each having a rated capacity not 
exceeding 160 kg per day, capable of producing ice in pieces not larger 
than 40 cubic cm in any dimension (described in statistical reporting 
number 8418.69.0110)
(20) Assemblies of thermo-electric modules, whether or not presented 
with attached heat exchangers, fans, shrouds, temperature sensors or 
controllers (described in statistical reporting number 8418.69.0180)
(21) Coolers, non-compressor, powered by 12 V DC, each with an interior 
volume not exceeding 17 liters (described in statistical reporting 
number 8418.69.0180)
(22) Solar water heaters incorporating glass tube heat collectors and 
including glass tubes and stands with tanks (described in statistical 
reporting number 8419.19.0040)
(23) Distillation and rectifying equipment designed for use in the 
production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (described in statistical 
reporting number 8419.40.0080)
(24) Heat exchanger plates, cores, finned tubes, cones, shells, 
bonnets, flanges and baffles (described in statistical reporting number 
8419.90.3000)
(25) Cast steel and steel structural forms designed for use in 
filtering machines, such machines used in mining or manufacturing 
facilities (described in statistical reporting number 8421.99.0080)
(26) Parts of air filtering machines or apparatus, the foregoing of 
cast steel and steel (described in statistical reporting number 
8421.99.0080)
(27) Self-propelled fork-lift and platform trucks, each powered by an 
electric motor and controlled by walking operator (described in 
statistical reporting number 8427.10.8090)
(28) Garage door opener/closers (described in statistical reporting 
number 8428.90.0290)
(29) Hinged steel transfer machinery, designed for diverting goods from 
and to conveyor lines (described in statistical reporting number 
8428.90.0290)
(30) Rotating bench, electrically powered, designed for turning a 
workpiece in a production line (described in statistical reporting 
number 8428.90.0290)
(31) Rotating fork machines, designed for lifting and depositing coiled 
steel bars in a production line (described in statistical reporting 
number 8428.90.0290)
(32) Vibratory, self-propelled tamping machines, each with drum roller 
(described in statistical reporting number 8429.40.0020)
(33) New, track-mounted hydraulic backhoes or hydraulic shovels, each 
with a 360-degree revolving superstructure (described in statistical 
reporting number 8429.52.1010)
(34) Pile drivers, diesel powered (described in statistical reporting 
number 8430.10.0000)
(35) Belt conveyor crossmember assemblies (described in statistical 
reporting number 8431.39.0010)
(36) Conveyor roller support brackets (described in statistical 
reporting number 8431.39.0010)
(37) Carriers designed for holding motor vehicles in overhead conveyors 
(described in statistical reporting number 8431.39.0010)
(38) Catenary idler stringers (described in statistical reporting 
number 8431.39.0010)
(39) Conveyor belt assemblies incorporating bearings (described in 
statistical reporting number 8431.39.0010)
(40) Conveyor line pans, the foregoing parts suitable for use solely or 
principally with coal mine conveyors (described in statistical 
reporting number 8431.39.0010)
(41) Conveyor spill plates (described in statistical reporting number 
8431.39.0010)
(42) Welded frames designed to support conveyor rollers (described in 
statistical reporting number 8431.39.0010)
(43) Feed pushers, bale forks, scrapers and frames therefor (described 
in statistical reporting number 8431.49.9010)
(44) Complete sheet pile rolling mills (described in statistical 
reporting number 8455.22.0000)
(45) Rolling mills designed to form 4 to 5 ribbed metal panels not 
exceeding 95 cm wide (described in statistical reporting number 
8455.22.0000)
(46) Double row ball bearings having an inner diameter exceeding 15 mm 
but not exceeding 32 mm, an outer diameter exceeding 38 mm but not 
exceeding 64 mm and a width exceeding 15 mm but not exceeding 29 mm 
(described in statistical reporting number 8482.10.5060)
(47) Needle roller bearings of a width not exceeding 30 mm (described 
in statistical reporting number 8482.40.0000)
(48) Outer bearing rings (described in statistical reporting number 
8482.99.0500)
(49) Bearing shields (described in statistical reporting number 
8482.99.6595)
(50) Coupling covers, including center members, flanged hubs, sleeves 
and shoes (described in statistical reporting number 8483.90.8010)
(51) AC multi-phase motors, each of an output exceeding 300 kW but not 
exceeding 310 kW, fitted with pulleys and brakes to raise and lower 
passenger elevators (described in statistical reporting number 
8501.53.8040)
(52) Regenerative speed drive controllers for controlling speed of 
electric motors for elevators (described in statistical reporting 
number 8504.40.4000)
(53) Speed drive controllers for electric motors, each such controller 
measuring 100 mm or more but not over 130 mm in length, 40 mm or more 
but not over 125 mm in width and 24 mm or more but not over 85 mm in 
height (described in statistical reporting number 8404.40.4000)
(54) Speed drive controllers for electric motors, the foregoing 
operating at 250 A or more but not over 500 A (described in statistical 
reporting number 8504.40.0000)
(55) Variable frequency drive controllers for electric motors, each 
weighing more than 1 kg but not more than 11 kg (described in 
statistical reporting number 8504.40.4000)
(56) Printed circuit assemblies of the goods of subheading 8504.40 or 
8504.50 for telecommunication apparatus, each measuring 4 cm to 6 cm in 
width and 10 cm to 12 cm in length, that converts 36 V DC to 90 V AC 
(described in statistical reporting number 8504.90.6500)
(57) Printed circuit assemblies of the goods of subheading 8504.40 or 
8504.50 for telecommunication apparatus, each measuring 7 cm to 9 cm in 
width and 18 cm to 20 cm in length, having 2 switches, for power 
protection to prevent electrical back feeding (described in statistical 
reporting number 8504.90.6500)
(58) Printed circuit assemblies of the goods of subheading 8504.40 or 
8504.50 for telecommunication apparatus, the foregoing serving as 
controllers for power supplies, each measuring 5 cm to 7 cm in width 
and 11 cm to 14 cm in length, having 50 pin on side header

[[Page 25898]]

(described in statistical reporting number 8504.90.6500)
(59) Printed circuit assemblies of the goods of subheading 8504.40 or 
8504.50 for telecommunication apparatus, the foregoing serving as noise 
filters, each measuring 18 cm to 20 cm in width and 25 cm to 27 cm in 
length, populated with semiconductor devices and 4 heat sinks 
(described in statistical reporting number 8504.90.6500)
(60) Radio transceivers operating on frequencies from 46 MHz to 468 
MHz, each designed for installation in motor vehicles (described in 
statistical reporting number 8525.60.1050)
(61) Antennas, of base metal and fiberglass (described in statistical 
reporting number 8529.10.4040)
(62) Projector parts (described in statistical reporting number 
8529.90.9900)
(63) Electromechanical relays, for a voltage not exceeding 24 V, other 
than automotive flashers, with contacts rated at 10 A or more, 
measuring not over 80 mm in any dimension (described in statistical 
reporting number 8536.41.0050)
(64) Push-button switches, rated at over 5 A, measuring no more than 
14.4 cm by 11.6 cm by 6.4 cm (described in statistical reporting number 
8536.50.9035)
(65) Push-button switches, rated at over 5 A, measuring no more than 
14.6 cm by 8 cm by 14.1 cm (described in statistical reporting number 
8536.50.9035)
(66) Push-button switches, rated at over 5 A, measuring no more than 
19.1 cm by 8.3 cm by 14.1 cm (described in statistical reporting number 
8536.50.9035)
(67) Push-button switches, rated at over 5 A, measuring no more than 
19.7 cm by 11.8 cm by 8.3 cm (described in statistical reporting number 
8536.50.9035)
(68) Push-button switches, rated at over 5 A, measuring no more than 
19.7 cm by 9.8 cm by 16.5 cm (described in statistical reporting number 
8536.50.9035)
(69) Push-button switches, rated at over 5 A, measuring no more than 21 
cm by 13.3 cm by 9 cm (described in statistical reporting number 
8536.50.9035)
(70) Push-button switches, rated at over 5 A, measuring no more than 
23.5 cm by 8 cm by 13.1 cm (described in statistical reporting number 
8536.50.9035)
(71) Push-button switches, rated at over 5 A, measuring no more than 6 
cm by 14.1 cm by 11 cm (described in statistical reporting number 
8536.50.9035)
(72) Push-pull switches, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V, designed 
for use in motor vehicles (described in statistical reporting number 
8536.50.9065)
(73) Bullet connectors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V (described 
in statistical reporting number 8536.90.4000)
(74) Butt connectors, other than closed end, for a voltage not 
exceeding 1,000 V (described in statistical reporting number 
8536.90.4000)
(75) Closed-end butt connectors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V 
(described in statistical reporting number 8536.90.4000)
(76) Crimp connectors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V (described 
in statistical reporting number 8536.90.4000)
(77) Insulated tab electrical connectors and tab receptacle electrical 
connectors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V, crimp-type, with 
either a tab measuring not over 6.4 mm in width or a receptacle for 
tabs measuring not over 6.4 mm in width (described in statistical 
reporting number 8536.90.4000)
(78) Junction blocks, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V (described in 
statistical reporting number 8536.90.4000)
(79) Lug connectors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V (described in 
statistical reporting number 8536.90.4000)
(80) Ring connectors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V (described in 
statistical reporting number 8536.90.4000)
(81) Spade connectors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V (described 
in statistical reporting number 8536.90.4000)
(82) Spring clip (``alligator clip'') terminals, for a voltage not 
exceeding 1,000 V (described in statistical reporting number 
8536.90.4000)
(83) Terminal blocks, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V (described in 
statistical reporting number 8536.90.4000)
(84) Wire tap connectors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V 
(described in statistical reporting number 8536.90.4000)
(85) Magnesium anodes, each not exceeding 48 kg in weight (described in 
statistical reporting number 8543.30.9040)
(86) Disposable self-adhesive brain monitoring sensor patches for use 
with an oximeter, each incorporating a circuit board, light-emitting 
diode (LED), photo diodes and memory device and a connector (described 
in statistical reporting number 9018.19.9560)
(87) Disposable stainless steel subdermal needle electrodes with 
accompanying harness for use with electromyography (EMG) equipment 
(described in statistical reporting number 9018.19.9560)
(88) Disposable surface electrodes for intra-operative neuromonitoring 
(``IONM'') systems, each composed of a surface electrode pad, an 
insulated wire, and a standard DIN 42802 connector (described in 
statistical reporting number 9018.19.9560)
(89) Machines for testing the hardness of metals (described in 
statistical reporting number 9024.10.0000)''

    3. by amending the last sentence of the first paragraph of U.S. 
note 20(a) to subchapter III of chapter 99 by:
    a. Deleting the word ``or'' where it appears after the phrase 
``U.S. note 20(j) to subchapter III of chapter 99;''; and
    b. inserting ``; or (5) heading 9903.88.10 and U.S. note 20(m) to 
subchapter III of chapter 99'' after the phrase ``U.S. note 20(k) to 
subchapter III of chapter 99'', where it appears at the end of the 
sentence.
    4. by amending the first sentence of U.S. note 20(b) to subchapter 
III of chapter 99 by:
    a. Deleting the word ``or'' where it appears after the phrase 
``U.S. note 20(j) to subchapter III of chapter 99;''; and
    b. inserting ``; or (5) heading 9903.88.10 and U.S. note 20(m) to 
subchapter III of chapter 99'' after the phrase ``U.S. note 20(k) to 
subchapter III of chapter 99'', where it appears at the end of the 
sentence.
    5. by amending the Article Description of heading 9903.88.01:
    a. By deleting ``9903.88.07 or'';
    b. by inserting in lieu thereof ``9903.88.07, ''; and
    c. by inserting ``or 9903.88.10,'' after ``9903.88.08,''.

[FR Doc. 2019-11573 Filed 6-3-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3290-F9-P