China Section 301 List 1 (Action) (25% additional duty)

A Section 301 measure is a U.S. trade action under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. It can impose an additional duty on specified products from a targeted trading partner, separate from the product’s normal customs duty. “List 1” identifies one group of covered tariff lines within the broader action; the exact products are defined by the applicable Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings and official measure instructions.

This type of measure typically affects U.S. importers whose goods are classified under a covered HTSUS subheading and are products of the named country. It matters because the importer may owe the ordinary duty plus an additional Section 301 duty, and must report the measure correctly in the entry documentation. Product classification, country of origin, exclusions or modifications, and the measure’s effective scope should be verified using current official sources; a customs broker or trade specialist may be needed for difficult cases.

What to check

• Confirm the product’s correct HTSUS classification, including all relevant subheadings and statistical suffixes.
• Check whether the product’s country of origin—not merely its shipping country—is the country covered by the measure.
• Compare the applicable Section 301 list and current official instructions with the entry date and product description.
• Look for any official exclusions, modifications, or product-specific instructions that could change whether the measure applies.
• Have a customs broker or trade professional review uncertain classification, origin, or applicability questions before filing the entry.