Forced-labor Section 301 — Kazakhstan — 12.5% additional duty

A Section 301 measure is a U.S. trade remedy that can impose an additional duty on covered imports in response to certain foreign trade practices identified by the U.S. government. A measure described as relating to Kazakhstan and forced labor generally applies only when the product’s origin, tariff classification, and other scope conditions match the official measure. The measure’s title is a starting point, not a substitute for checking the legal scope.

For an importer, this may mean a duty is added on top of the normal customs duty and other applicable charges. The key professional terms are country of origin, HTSUS classification, additional duty, scope, and entry filing. Importers should confirm whether the goods actually originate in the covered country, whether their HTSUS code is listed, and whether any exclusions or special rules apply. Classification and scope questions may require a customs broker or trade counsel.

What to check

• Confirm the product’s country of origin under U.S. origin rules; do not rely only on the shipping country or the seller’s location.
• Verify the complete HTSUS classification and compare it with the official measure’s product scope and any listed exclusions.
• Check whether the additional duty applies in addition to ordinary duty, other trade remedies, or other import charges, and review any stacking rules.
• Review the current official tariff data, Federal Register notices, and Customs and Border Protection guidance before filing an entry.
• Keep product descriptions, bills of materials, manufacturing records, and origin documentation that support your classification and origin analysis.