Several recent developments could once again cause confusion with respect to aircraft parts imported into the United States.
The good news is that the new 25% tariff imposed on goods from Brazil will NOT apply to most aircraft parts. For the past year, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has been investigating Brazil and its trade practices. The USTR determined that
certain of Brazil’s acts, policies, and practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and they burden or restrict United States commerce. On this basis, the USTR recommended a 25% tariff on goods of Brazil. This is expected to be published as a notice of action on Monday.
The 25% tariff will not apply to certain HTSUS codes. In particular, HTSUS codes identified by the administration as aviation parts are exempt from the tariff if the parts are actually intended for use on civil aircraft. Some civil aircraft parts are NOT identified in the HTSUS as aircraft parts and will be subject to the additional chapter 99 duties (even though they may be only used on civil aircraft). In the Federal Register notice this is expected to be described as an “Aircraft” scope limitation that will be implemented in subdivision (a)(iv) of U.S. note 50 (as found in subchapter III of chapter 99, HTSUS), which states:
As provided in heading 9903.05.05, the additional duty imposed by heading 9903.05.01 shall not apply to articles the product of Brazil that are civil aircraft (all aircraft other than military aircraft); their engines, parts and components; their other parts, components and subassemblies; and ground flight simulators and their parts and components, that otherwise meet the criteria of general note 6 of the HTSUS and are classifiable in the following provisions of the HTSUS, but regardless of whether a product is entered under a provision for which the rate of duty “Free (C)” appears in the “Special” sub-column: [a long list of tariff codes follows this text]
When entering civil aircraft parts from Brazil (like Embraer parts), the importer will want to enter them under their base tariff number, and then confirm that the base tariff number is listed in subdivision (a)(iv) (as described above). It is important to check this list of tariff numbers because some aircraft parts, like most fasteners (as just one example) will NOT be subject to this exemption. If you can confirm that the base tariff code for your Brazilian goods is listed among the exemption list, then you will need to record an additional tariff code number of 9903.05.05 to reflect that the parts are civil aircraft parts at are exempt from the newest 25% tariff on Brazilian goods.
If your base tariff code is not listed on the exemption list in subdivision (a)(iv), then your Brazilian-origin aircraft parts are likely to be subject to the additional 25% tariff on goods from Brazil.
BUT make sure you read our other article about the section 232 tariffs!