USTR initiated Section 301 investigations concerning acts, policies, and practices of China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and

A Section 301 investigation is a U.S. trade inquiry into whether a foreign government’s acts, policies, or practices are unreasonable, discriminatory, or otherwise harmful to U.S. commerce. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) conducts the investigation and may later take actions such as additional duties or other trade measures, depending on the official outcome. An investigation itself is not necessarily a final duty.

This type of measure can affect importers of products connected to the named countries or economies, but coverage depends on the final legal instrument and product description. Importers must read the measure’s scope, usually identified by Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) subheadings and sometimes detailed product exclusions. The key customs concepts are tariff classification, country of origin, and the applicable trade remedy or additional duty rule. These measures matter because an otherwise ordinary import duty may be supplemented by a Section 301 additional duty, if the product and origin fall within the covered scope.

What to check

• Check the official measure status to determine whether the entry is only under investigation or is subject to a final action.
• Confirm the product’s HTSUS classification using its material, function, construction, and other classification facts; do not rely only on a supplier’s code.
• Verify country of origin under U.S. origin rules, including whether processing in another country substantially transforms the product.
• Compare the exact HTSUS provisions, product descriptions, exclusions, and effective-entry conditions in the official Section 301 notice.
• Ask a customs broker or trade counsel to review uncertain classifications, origin determinations, exclusions, and any required entry documentation.