China – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

March 31, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

USTR Offers New Section 301 Exclusions for COVID-19 Medical Products

Since our previous two Alerts, on March 13 and 20, describing actions taken in recent weeks by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to exclude numerous medical products imported from China from Section 301 tariffs, the USTR has announced it will accept new Section 301 exclusion requests relating to other products that can be used in the battle against the coronavirus (COVID-19). Such exclusion requests can be submitted for any product that can be used to address the COVID-19 pandemic that has not yet been granted by the USTR, including products with previously denied or currently pending exclusion requests, as well as for products for which requests have not been filed.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

March 20, 2020 by Duane Morris

USTR Grants Additional Section 301 Exclusions for Medical Products Due to COVID-19

The U.S. Trade Representative has announced expanded product exclusions following both the spread of COVID-19 and the trade deal signed with China in January 2020.

Both sets of exclusions are retroactive, and refunds may be sought for products previously imported within specific time periods. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has stated that “[t]o request a refund of Section 301 duties paid on previous imports, importers may file a Post Summary Correction (PSC) if within the PSC filing timeframe. If the entry is beyond the PSC filing timeframe,” but within 180 days of the liquidation action, “importers may protest the liquidation.”

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

February 29, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

The Impact of Coronavirus on Travel and Entry to the United States

The ongoing worldwide outbreak of the Coronavirus has led to serious public safety concerns, restrictions, and even bans on international travel. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the source of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. The disease outbreak has also led to several measures by the U.S. Government to control the entry to the United States of individuals potentially exposed to the virus.

On January 31, 2020, President Trump issued a proclamation suspending and limiting entry into the U.S. as immigrants or nonimmigrants of all individuals who were physically present within the People’s Republic of China, excluding Hong Kong and Macau, during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry. The proclamation became effective at 5:00 pm (ET) on February 2, 2020.

View the full post by Duane Morris attorney Teodora Purcell on the Duane Morris Immigration Law Blog.