Exemptions from the U.S. Tariff under Section 301

U.S. imports of 178 products are exempt from the U.S. tariff under Section 301

The Section 301 tariff exemptions are managed through two specific headings of Chapter 99 in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS):

U.S. Customs Code HTSUS 9903.88.69: 164 product-specific exemptions from the Section 301 tariff covering industrial components, medical equipment, specialized chemicals, and machinery.
U.S. Customs Code HTSUS 9903.88.70: 14 exemptions from the Section 301 tariff for machines, parts, and components related to photovoltaic power generation.

1. Machines parts and components related to photovoltaic energy production (14 U.S. tariff exclusions under Customs Code 9903.88.70)

These exclusions concern specialized equipment used in photovoltaic production:

Classification Code	Description of Product Exempt from Section 301 Tariff
U.S. Customs Code 8421.21.0000	Water filtration machines specifically used in the production of solar cells or wafers
U.S. Customs Code 8421.99.0140	Filtration machine parts used in photovoltaic production
U.S. Customs Code 8477.10.9000	Injection molding machines designed for encapsulating solar module components
U.S. Customs Code 8477.90.8595	Parts of machines for processing rubber or plastics used in solar panel assembly
U.S. Customs Code 8479.89.9599	Equipment for wafer cutting and diamond wire saws for slicing solar ingots
U.S. Customs Code 8479.89.9599	Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and physical deposition systems for photovoltaic cells
U.S. Customs Code 8479.89.9599	Equipment for screen printing and metallization lines for solar cells
U.S. Customs Code 8479.89.9599	Tools for laser scribing, cutting, or edge isolation for solar cell wafers
U.S. Customs Code 8479.89.9599	Automated tabber and stringer systems for photovoltaic modules
U.S. Customs Code 8479.89.9599	Laminators for photovoltaic modules with vacuum extraction
U.S. Customs Code 8479.90.9496	Parts of automated machinery dedicated to wafer and solar cell production
U.S. Customs Code 8486.10.0000	Apparatus for manufacturing ingots ("boules") or wafers for semiconductors/solar
U.S. Customs Code 8486.20.0000	Machines for producing semiconductor devices or photovoltaic cells
U.S. Customs Code 9031.80.8085	Test systems with solar simulators and automated optical/electroluminescence inspection units

2. General Exemptions from the U.S. Tariff under Section 301
(U.S. tariff exclusions under Customs Code 9903.88.69)

These exemptions represent narrowly defined product descriptions ("ex-outs"). If a product does not meet precise physical specifications, dimensions, or parameters, the tariff exemption for importing into the U.S. does not apply.

Section 301 Tariff Exemption for Importing Industrial Machines, Electric Motors, and Mechanical Parts into America

Electric Motors: DC motors (>74.6 W but ≤735 W, value ≤$18; U.S. Customs Code 8501.31.4000); AC motors with specific power and size.
Compressors and Pumps: Rotary compressors (746 W to 2,238 W, cooling capacity 2.3 kW to 5.5 kW; U.S. Customs Code 8414.30.8060); battery-powered submersible filter pumps for spa/pools (U.S. Customs Code 8421.21.0000).
Heat Exchange: Plates for heat exchangers, radiant masses, finned tubes, caps, flanges, and diaphragms (U.S. Customs Code 8419.90.3000).
Handling and Heavy Machinery: Cast iron or steel counterweights for forklifts (U.S. Customs Code 8431.20.0000); forklift forks, fork plates, and handling accessories.
Die Cutting and Cutting Tools: Chemically etched steel dies, magnetic dies, and embossing folders for manual hobby and craft machines (U.S. Customs Code 8420.99.9000).
Agriculture: Automated animal feeding machines and dedicated parts (U.S. Customs Code 8436.80.0090, U.S. Customs Code 8436.99.0090).
Filtration: Stainless steel filter housings and coupling assemblies for liquid filtration systems (U.S. Customs Code 8421.99.0140).

Section 301 Tariff Exemption for Importing Medical Devices and Sanitary Supplies into America

Surgical and Anesthetic Equipment: Anesthetic instruments, devices, and dedicated parts/accessories (U.S. Customs Code 9018.90.3000).
Monitoring and Diagnostics: Portable gas analyzers and filter modules for respiratory monitoring (U.S. Customs Code 8421.39.0190); accessories for multiparameter patient monitors.
Personal and Clinical Consumables: Sterile drapes, disposable protective covers for specific procedures, and certain non-woven protective medical garments.
Sanitation Equipment: Ultraviolet disinfection chambers and components designed for medical or clinical environments.

Section 301 Tariff Exemption for Importing Special Materials, Chemicals, and Manufactures into America

Safety and Special Glass: Tempered safety glass sheets coated with silicon oxide (<2.5 m²; U.S. Customs Code 7007.19.0000); thin chemically strengthened glass sheets for protective screens.
Fabrics: 100% silk fabrics and fabrics containing ≥85% silk by weight (U.S. Customs Code 5007.20.0000).
Polymers and Resins: Formulated compounds in polyurethanes and fluoropolymers with specific purity levels and melt flow indices for industrial molding.
Special Metals: Cold-drawn seamless stainless steel mechanical tubes with restricted diameter tolerances.

Section 301 Tariff Exemption for Importing Electronics and Electrical Safety into America

Circuit Protection: Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI), and appliance leakage current interrupters (ALCI) (U.S. Customs Code 8536.30.8000).
Sensors: Portable electric gas detectors with wireless support (U.S. Customs Code 8543.70.9860).
Power Supplies: Switching power supplies meeting specific form factors and power ratings for telecommunications equipment.

Section 301 Tariff Exemption for Importing Vehicles, Consumer Goods, and Specialties into America

Light Transport: Mopeds and motorcycles with reciprocating internal combustion piston engines ≤50 cc, value ≤$500 (U.S. Customs Code 8711.10.0000).
Bags and Cases: Thermal travel bags and flexible cooler bags with textile outer surfaces meeting specific dimensional limits (U.S. Customs Code 4202.92.3120).
Special Foods: Frozen fish fillets and cuts packaged according to strict weight and dimension specifications.

Important Limitations

No Full Subheading Coverage: Most exclusions listed under U.S. Customs Code 9903.88.69 consist of selective descriptions ("ex-out") rather than entire 8- or 10-digit tariff classifications. A product classified under one of the indicated subheadings cannot benefit from the Section 301 tariff exemption unless it strictly meets every reported physical, dimensional, and performance criterion in the corresponding chapter 20 note of the U.S. tariff schedule.
Expiration of Exclusions: Unless renewed by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), these 178 exclusions are set to expire on December 31, 2027.

United States Import Tariff Exclusions