Monday, November 9, 2026

USTR Extends China Section 301 Exclusions and Maritime Fee Suspension to January 2027

USTR filed two notices on November 9, 2026, for publication on November 10. They keep all 178 China Section 301 product exclusions in place and keep the Section 301 maritime fees and crane duties suspended through January 9, 2027. Also in this report: Commerce published the solar-cell AD/CVD orders on India, Indonesia and Laos. CBP announced the ACE entry fields for the foreign importer-of-record rule. BIS extended the suspension of its Affiliates Rule. Commerce filed preliminary dumping rates on tin mill products and PTMEG and initiated seamless-pipe investigations.

Container ship berthed under ship-to-shore gantry cranes at a seaport at dusk
301 Relief Extended to January

Section 301: China exclusions and maritime suspension extended to January 9, 2027

Status: Filed for public inspection November 9, 2026, 8:45 a.m. ET; scheduled for publication November 10, 2026. These are final USTR decisions and require no further comment.

All 178 China product exclusions extended

USTR extends all 178 current exclusions from the Section 301 China technology-transfer tariffs. They were due to expire on November 9, 2026. The extension covers goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, from 12:01 a.m. ET on November 10, 2026 through 11:59 p.m. ET on January 9, 2027, so coverage continues without a gap. Annex A changes the date in the description of heading 9903.88.69 (U.S. note 20(vvv)(i)–(iv)). Annex B makes the same change to heading 9903.88.70 (note 20(www)). No exclusion was dropped. USTR notice, FR Doc. 2026-22925 (public inspection)

Maritime, logistics and shipbuilding action stays suspended

The action's suspension began November 10, 2025 and was due to end November 9, 2026. USTR now extends it by two months, through 11:59 p.m. ET on January 9, 2027. This adopts the proposal at 91 FR 67388. While the suspension lasts, no one owes or pays the port fees under Annexes I–III of the April 2025 action or the Annex V.A duties. USTR also amends Chapter 99 headings 9903.91.12 through 9903.91.16, replacing "November 10, 2026" with "January 10, 2027." USTR received about 60 comments and says it will decide before January 10, 2027 whether to extend the suspension again or act otherwise. USTR notice, FR Doc. 2026-22867 (public inspection)

Timing: Exclusion coverage starts 12:01 a.m. ET on November 10, 2026. The maritime notice is effective November 9, 2026. Both notices give the end date as 11:59 p.m. ET on January 9, 2027 in their DATES sections, while their body text says "until January 10, 2027." Read these as one continuous period ending at the close of January 9. If an entry falls near the boundary, rely on the ET times in the notices.
Exclusions extendedAll 178
New end dateJan. 9, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
Chapter 99 headings9903.88.69 / .70; 9903.91.12–.16

Also filed: Vietnam IP Section 301 investigation (no tariff effect). USTR extended its deadline to decide the Vietnam intellectual-property investigation, opened May 29, 2026, to February 28, 2027, citing complex issues. The notice makes no finding and imposes no measures. FR Doc. 2026-22868

Solar cells from India, Indonesia and Laos: AD and CVD orders published

Status: Published November 9, 2026; orders in force. Cash deposits are required. Commerce issued AD orders, including an amended final determination for Laos, and CVD orders on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules. The orders follow the USITC's affirmative final determinations, which the USITC reported to Commerce on November 2. Both notices say suspension of liquidation and cash deposits resume on the date the USITC's final determination was published in the Federal Register. That notice is FR Doc. 2026-22565, published November 5, 2026, which is covered in an earlier report. AD orders, FR Doc. 2026-22825 · CVD orders, FR Doc. 2026-22824

AD cash deposit rates

  • India: Mundra Solar PV, Mundra Solar Energy, Kowa and Premier Energies, and all others: 123.04% margin (adverse facts available), 107.17% cash deposit after subsidy offset.
  • Indonesia: PT Blue Sky Solar, PT REC Solar Energy and all others: 94.36% (adverse facts available). The published table shows no separate offset-adjusted deposit figure.
  • Laos (amended): Solarspace, in all four listed producer/exporter combinations, and the Laos-wide entity: 65.76% margin, 65.36% cash deposit. Commerce corrected a ministerial error in how it deducted Section 201 duties.

CVD cash deposit rates

  • India: Mundra Solar Energy, Mundra Solar PV and all others: 126.09%.
  • Indonesia: PT Blue Sky Solar 173.70%; PT REC Solar Energy and all others 73.20%.
  • Laos: Solarspace and all others 82.03%; Vietnam Sunergy 153.67%.
Timing and gap periods: The AD provisional measures ran from April 28 to October 24, 2026. Entries from October 25, 2026 until the day before the USITC notice was published are released from suspension and liquidate without AD duties. CVD provisional measures ended June 25, 2026. Entries from June 26, 2026 until the USITC publication liquidate without CVD. For CVD critical circumstances, the USITC found critical circumstances for Indonesia only. Indonesian entries suspended on or after November 28, 2025 therefore face retroactive CVD. For India and Laos, Commerce will lift suspension and refund CVD deposits on entries from November 28, 2025 through February 25, 2026.

Scope: the orders cover cells at least 20 micrometers thick and modules, laminates and panels containing them. Modules assembled in a third country from subject-country cells are covered. Modules assembled in a subject country from third-country cells are not. Products covered by the existing orders on China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand are excluded. The reference HTS numbers are 8541.42.0010 and 8541.43.0010, plus listed 8501 and 8507 lines; the written scope controls. Final duties will be set later in administrative reviews, so for now the deposit is only an estimate.

Foreign importers of record: CBP sets three new ACE entry fields for January 5, 2027

Status: Rule published November 6, 2026 (91 FR 69977); not yet in force. Requirements apply from January 5, 2027. CBP has issued implementation guidance for its interim final rule, "Heightened Requirements for Foreign Importers of Record." From January 5, 2027, a foreign IOR can enter or withdraw goods for consumption only if it is CTPAT-validated or uses a CTPAT-validated customs broker to make entry. IFR, FR Doc. 2026-22735

  • "U.S. Importer of Record" (Y/N): Report Y when the IOR meets the U.S. IOR criteria, or when a broker acts as IOR and the principal on its power of attorney meets those criteria. Otherwise report N.
  • "Acting on behalf of" (Y/N): Report Y when the broker lists itself as both filer and IOR on behalf of a principal.
  • "Principal on Power of Attorney": Required when a broker that is not CTPAT-validated acts as IOR for a principal. Report the principal's IOR number (SSN, EIN or CBP-assigned number) linked to its CBP Form 5106.

The fields are added to CBP Forms 3461 and 7501 and their electronic equivalents. From January 5, 2027, ACE may reject an entry or entry summary in two cases: a foreign IOR files without CTPAT validation or a CTPAT-validated broker, or a broker that is not CTPAT-validated acts as IOR without reporting the principal. Brokers may file a delayed-compliance request no later than January 5, 2027 at cbp.gov/trade/strengthening-customs-enforcement/delayed-compliance. Questions go to [email protected].

Timing: The rule was filed November 5, published November 6, and applies to entries from January 5, 2027. The deadline for delayed-compliance requests is also January 5, 2027. Software vendors need the CATAIR changes before then, so ask yours now when it will deliver.

BIS extends the suspension of the Affiliates Rule to January 10, 2027

Status: Published and effective November 9, 2026. BIS's 2025 interim final rule would extend Entity List and certain other end-user restrictions to affiliates owned 50% or more by listed parties (the "Affiliates Rule"). Its suspension was due to end November 9, 2026 and now runs to January 10, 2027. Until then, exporters do not need to apply the affiliate ownership test, though listed parties themselves remain restricted. The rule invites no new comments, and BIS says the comments already received will be considered in future rulemakings. The notice itself cites the 2025 IFR inconsistently: September 30 versus September 20, 2025, and a stay date of November 10 versus November 12, 2025. BIS rule, FR Doc. 2026-22793

New preliminary AD rates: tin mill products and PTMEG

Status: Filed November 9, 2026, 8:45 a.m. ET; scheduled for publication November 10. Preliminary only: cash deposits start on the publication date and may change at the final determination. Commerce signed these on November 4–5, 2026. Suspension of liquidation applies to entries on or after publication.

Tin mill products

  • Türkiye (A-489-857): Tosyali Toyo Çelik/Toscelik (one entity) 3.89%; Tatrix 42.06% (adverse facts available); all others 3.89%. Commerce made a partly affirmative preliminary finding of critical circumstances, for Tatrix only. Tatrix entries are suspended back 90 days, to about August 12, 2026 if publication occurs on November 10 as scheduled. POI April 2025–March 2026. FR Doc. 2026-22937
  • Taiwan (A-583-883): Ton Yi Industrial 18.07%; all others 18.07%. The final determination is postponed (up to 135 days after publication) and provisional measures are extended. FR Doc. 2026-22938

Polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG; primary HTS 3907.29.0000)

  • China (A-570-227): China-wide entity 213.44%, based on the petition. No company received a separate rate. FR Doc. 2026-22942
  • Vietnam: Hyosung Dong Nai 36.55%; Vietnam-wide entity 36.55%. Final postponed. FR Doc. 2026-22939
  • Korea: Korea PTG 25.32%; BASF Company 49.79% (adverse facts available); all others 25.32%. Final postponed. FR Doc. 2026-22941
  • Taiwan: Dairen Chemical 7.46%; Formosa Asahi Spandex 26.42% (adverse facts available); all others 7.46%. Final postponed. FR Doc. 2026-22940

Magnesia carbon bricks from China: circumvention inquiry initiated

Status: Inquiry initiated; no new rate. Commerce is opening a country-wide inquiry under the existing AD and CVD orders (A-570-954, C-570-955). It asks whether bricks with trace alumina (above 0% but below 5% by weight) are minor alterations of covered bricks. A preliminary determination is expected within 150 days of publication. FR Doc. 2026-22943

New investigations: seamless standard, line and pressure pipe from Georgia and India

Status: Initiated November 4, published November 9, 2026. The rates below are petition allegations, not duty rates. Tenaris USA, Vallourec Star and the USW filed petitions on October 15, 2026. Commerce opened AD investigations on Georgia and India and a CVD investigation on India, covering 24 alleged subsidy programs. The petitions allege dumping margins of 113.87%–286.29% for Georgia, which Commerce treats as a non-market economy, and 41.03%–63.57% for India. Scope: seamless carbon and alloy (non-stainless) pipe and redraw hollows up to 16 inches nominal OD, made to ASTM A-53, A-106, A-333, A-334, A-589, A-795, A-1024 or API 5L. OCTG and most mechanical and boiler tubing are excluded. The main HTS numbers fall under 7304.19, 7304.31, 7304.39, 7304.51 and 7304.59. AD initiation, FR Doc. 2026-22835 · CVD initiation, FR Doc. 2026-22836

Timing (calculated from statutory deadlines, unless postponed): The USITC's preliminary injury vote is due about November 30, 2026, 45 days after the petition. Commerce's CVD preliminary determination is due about January 8, 2027, and its AD preliminary determination about March 24, 2027. The POI for India runs October 2025–September 2026; for Georgia, April–September 2026.

Also published November 9: the formal Federal Register AD and CVD initiation notices for certain wooden fence components from China (FR Doc. 2026-22763, 2026-22764). This case was covered when trade.gov announced it.

Other actions

  • High purity dissolving pulp from Brazil and Norway: no orders. On November 6, 2026, the USITC made negative final injury determinations by a 5–0 vote (701-TA-777; 731-TA-1762–1763). Commerce therefore will not issue AD or CVD orders. A Commerce notice ending suspension of liquidation is still to come. The report, Pub. 5813, is due by December 21, 2026. USITC release
  • Mattresses: orders continued (no current deposit effect). AD orders on Cambodia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Türkiye and Vietnam and the CVD order on China are continued, effective October 27, 2026. FR Doc. 2026-22823
  • Section 337, glow fish tape systems (337-TA-1442). On November 4, the USITC issued a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order against Milwaukee Electric Tool. Imports during the 60-day Presidential review period require a 100% bond. FR Doc. 2026-22768
  • Section 1260H list: WuXi AppTec removed (filed for November 10 publication). The Defense Department removed the company to comply with an August 7, 2026 preliminary injunction. The removal is without prejudice to relisting. FR Doc. 2026-22840
  • OFAC, November 6: Iran-related designations. OFAC designated eight Canada-based money services businesses under E.O. 13902, with secondary-sanctions risk. Screen payment counterparties and the listed digital-currency addresses. OFAC recent action

Action items

Importers of record and customs brokers

  • Keep filing 9903.88.69 or 9903.88.70 for qualifying China exclusion goods entered from November 10, 2026. Set a review date before January 9, 2027 (2026-22925).
  • Identify clients that are foreign IORs. Confirm their CTPAT status or plan to use a CTPAT-validated broker. Collect principal IOR numbers and Form 5106 links, and test the three new 3461/7501 fields before January 5, 2027 (IFR).

AD/CVD filers

  • Solar cells and modules from India, Indonesia and Laos: make sure Type 03 entries carry both the AD and the CVD case numbers and deposits. Separate gap-period entries, which liquidate without duty, and CVD critical-circumstance entries, which are refunded for India and Laos and retroactive for Indonesia (2026-22824).
  • From the publication date (November 10 if published as scheduled), deposit preliminary AD rates on tin mill products from Türkiye and Taiwan and on PTMEG from China, Vietnam, Korea and Taiwan. Check Tatrix entries back to about August 12, 2026.
  • Seamless pipe buyers: map your purchases to the HTS lines and note the USITC preliminary vote due around November 30 (2026-22835).

Exporters and logistics

  • Exporters: the Affiliates Rule stays suspended through January 10, 2027, but continue screening listed parties (2026-22793).
  • Ocean carriers and terminal-equipment buyers: no Section 301 port fees or Annex V.A crane duties apply through January 9, 2027 (2026-22867).

Sanctions compliance

  • Add OFAC's November 6 Iran-related money services businesses to your payment screening (OFAC).

FAQ

Is there a gap in China Section 301 exclusion coverage on November 10?

No. The old expiry was 11:59 p.m. ET on November 9, and the extension covers entries from 12:01 a.m. ET on November 10, 2026 through 11:59 p.m. ET on January 9, 2027. The notice is scheduled for publication on November 10. USTR, 2026-22925

Will Section 301 port fees be charged on Chinese-linked vessels this year?

No. The Annex I–III fees and Annex V.A duties remain suspended through January 9, 2027, and USTR will decide before January 10 whether to continue the suspension. USTR, 2026-22867

Do solar modules assembled in India from Chinese cells fall under the new India order?

No. Under the scope rule, modules assembled in a subject country from third-country cells are not covered. Cell origin decides coverage, and those goods may fall under the existing China orders instead. Commerce, 2026-22825

Can a foreign importer of record keep using a non-CTPAT broker after January 5, 2027?

No, not on its own. From January 5, 2027, a foreign IOR must be CTPAT-validated itself or have a CTPAT-validated broker make entry. Otherwise ACE may reject the entry. CBP IFR, 2026-22735

Original sources and dates

  • USTR, Section 301 China product exclusion extensions, FR Doc. 2026-22925, filed Nov. 9, 2026 (publication Nov. 10): public inspection · PDF
  • USTR, Section 301 maritime action modification, FR Doc. 2026-22867, filed Nov. 9, 2026: public inspection · PDF
  • USTR, Vietnam IP Section 301 extension, FR Doc. 2026-22868, filed Nov. 9, 2026: public inspection
  • Commerce, Solar cells AD orders and Laos amended final, FR Doc. 2026-22825, Nov. 9, 2026: Federal Register
  • Commerce, Solar cells CVD orders, FR Doc. 2026-22824, Nov. 9, 2026: Federal Register
  • USITC, Solar cells final determinations, FR Doc. 2026-22565, Nov. 5, 2026: Federal Register
  • CBP, Heightened Requirements for Foreign Importers of Record (IFR), FR Doc. 2026-22735, Nov. 6, 2026: Federal Register
  • BIS, Extension of the suspension of the Affiliates Rule, FR Doc. 2026-22793, Nov. 9, 2026: Federal Register
  • Commerce, Tin mill products from Türkiye (2026-22937) and Taiwan (2026-22938), filed Nov. 9, 2026: Türkiye · Taiwan
  • Commerce, PTMEG preliminary determinations (2026-22939 to -22942), filed Nov. 9, 2026: Vietnam · Taiwan · Korea · China
  • Commerce, Magnesia carbon bricks circumvention initiation, FR Doc. 2026-22943, filed Nov. 9, 2026: public inspection
  • Commerce, Seamless pipe AD (2026-22835) and CVD (2026-22836) initiations, Nov. 9, 2026: AD · CVD
  • Commerce, Wooden fence components initiations (2026-22763, 2026-22764), Nov. 9, 2026: AD · CVD
  • USITC, Commission vote on dissolving pulp from Brazil and Norway, Nov. 6, 2026: news release
  • Commerce, Mattresses continuation, FR Doc. 2026-22823, Nov. 9, 2026: Federal Register
  • USITC, 337-TA-1442 final determination, FR Doc. 2026-22768, Nov. 9, 2026: Federal Register
  • DoD, Removal of designated Chinese military company, FR Doc. 2026-22840, filed Nov. 9, 2026: public inspection
  • OFAC, Iran-related designations, Nov. 6, 2026: recent action · Treasury press release