USTR Finalizes Significant Tariff Increases On PPE And Syringes
Sept. 13, 2024
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) finalized modifications to Section 301 tariffs that includes increases for several medical products including facemasks, gloves, and syringes. The Federal Register notice published today contains specific details as well as USTR’s response to the numerous comments it received on its May 28 proposal. The effective date for any 2024 tariff increases in the notice is September 27, 2024. The effective date for any 2025 and 2026 tariff increases is January 1 of that year.
Key takeaways on facemasks, gloves, and needles are below:
Facemasks:
- Increase tariff rates in 2024 to 25%
- Further increase tariff rates in 2026 to 50%
- Add statistical reporting number 6307.90.9870 (face masks of textile, disposable) for a total of 5 HTSUS facemask codes
- Replace statistical reporting number 6307.90.9845 (N95 Respirators of textiles) with 6307.90.9842 (surgical N95 respirators) and 6307.90.9844 (other N95 respirators) – USTR stated this is more technical in nature and does not change the scope of products covered
Medical Gloves:
- Increase tariff rates to 50% in 2025
- Increase tariff rates to 100% in 2026
Syringes and Needles:
- Increase tariff rates to 100% in 2024
- USTR excluded enteral syringes through January 1, 2026
A full list of tariff rates that includes steel, critical minerals, and electric vehicle batteries is in Annex A of USTR’s notice. The codes for facemasks, medical gloves, and syringes are below.
Facemasks
| HTSUS Subheading |
Product Description |
Rate |
Timing |
| 6307.90.9842 |
Surgical N95 Respirators of Textile |
25% |
2024 |
| 50% |
2026 |
| 6307.90.9844 |
Non-surgical N95 Respirators of Textiles |
25% |
2024 |
| 50% |
2026 |
| 6307.90.9850 |
Respirators of Textiles, Other than N95 |
25% |
2024 |
| 50% |
2026 |
| 6307.90.9870 |
Face Masks of Textiles, Disposable |
25% |
2025 |
| 50% |
2026 |
| 6307.90.9875 |
Face Masks of Textiles, Other than Disposable |
25% |
2024 |
| 50% |
2026 |
Medical Gloves
| HTSUS Subheading |
Product Description |
Rate |
Timing |
| 4015.12.10 |
Medical or surgical gloves of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber |
50% |
2025 |
| 100% |
2026 |
Syringes And Needles
| HTSUS Subheading |
Product Description |
Rate |
Timing |
| 9018.31.00 |
Syringes, with or without their needles; parts and accessories thereof; except enteral syringes provided for in heading 9903.91.10, entered before January 1, 2026 (described in statistical reporting number 9018.31.0080) |
100% |
2024 |
| 9018.32.00 |
Tubular metal needles and needles for sutures, used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, and parts and accessories thereof |
100% |
2024 |
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