Forced-labor Section 301 — United Kingdom — 10% additional duty

A Section 301 measure is a U.S. trade action authorized under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. It may impose an additional duty on covered merchandise because the United States has determined that a foreign country’s trade practice is unreasonable, discriminatory, or burdens U.S. commerce. The title indicates a forced-labor-related rationale involving the United Kingdom, but the official measure controls which products, origins, and conditions are actually covered.

This type of measure typically affects U.S. importers of merchandise whose country of origin falls within the measure’s scope—not merely goods shipped through or purchased from the named country. The additional duty is generally assessed in addition to the product’s normal customs duty and other applicable fees. Importers must identify the correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) classification, determine the product’s country of origin, and check the measure’s product scope, exclusions, and any applicable quota or entry requirements. Classification and origin questions may require a customs broker or trade counsel.

What to check

• Check the current official Section 301 notice and HTSUS provisions for the measure’s covered products, exclusions, and entry instructions.
• Confirm the product’s HTSUS classification; do not rely only on a supplier’s description or tariff code.
• Determine substantial-transformation country of origin, rather than assuming origin from the shipping country or seller’s location.
• Review bills of materials, production records, and supplier certifications for forced-labor and supply-chain due-diligence concerns.
• Ask a customs broker or trade counsel to review ambiguous classification, origin, exclusions, or applicability before entry.