HS Code:
This category pertains to products eligible for import under the third quota period as specified in notices issued by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) within any 12-month period commencing on October 1 of any given year. This quota system typically applies to specific goods under trade agreements or remedial actions (e.g., Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods or other safeguard measures). The exact HS Code is not specified in the query, so this response provides a general overview applicable to such quota-based categories, often involving products like steel, aluminum, or specific agricultural goods subject to trade remedies. These quotas aim to balance domestic industry protection with international trade obligations, often tied to sensitive sectors or geopolitical trade policies.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $50 billion USD (indicative figure for quota-based imports under USTR notices)
Data from 2022
Source
United States International Trade Commission (USITC) and USTR Reports
$20 billion USD
40% of total trade under quota of total trade
Decreasing due to ongoing trade tensions and tariff measures
$10 billion USD
20% of total trade under quota of total trade
Stable with recent quota adjustments under US-EU agreements
$8 billion USD
16% of total trade under quota of total trade
Increasing due to USMCA trade framework benefits
$7 billion USD
14% of total trade under quota of total trade
Increasing with stronger North American supply chain integration
$5 billion USD
10% of total trade under quota of total trade
Stable following bilateral trade agreements on quotas
Average Rate
25% (indicative for products under USTR quota systems, varies by specific HS code)
Highest Rate
50% (applied to certain Chinese goods under Section 301 tariffs)
Lowest Rate
0% (for quota-exempt quantities or under free trade agreements like USMCA)
Shift towards regional trade agreements
Increased imports from USMCA partners (Canada and Mexico) as companies diversify away from Chinese supply chains to avoid tariffs and quota restrictions.
2021-2023
Rising domestic production incentives
U.S. policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure spending are encouraging domestic sourcing, reducing reliance on quota-based imports for certain goods.
2022-2023
Geopolitical trade realignment
De-escalation of trade disputes with the EU and renegotiated quotas for steel and aluminum have stabilized import volumes from allied nations.
2021-2022
The USTR issued a notice in late 2022 adjusting tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for steel and aluminum imports from the EU, replacing Section 232 tariffs with quota systems to support allied trade relations.
October 2022
Increased import predictability for EU exporters and reduced costs for U.S. manufacturers reliant on these materials.
In 2023, the USTR extended certain tariff measures on Chinese imports under Section 301, maintaining strict quotas and additional duties for the third quota period commencing October 1, 2023.
September 2023
Continued pressure on Chinese imports, pushing U.S. importers to seek alternative sourcing from Southeast Asia or North America.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection introduced enhanced digital tools in 2023 to monitor quota compliance for imports under USTR notices, ensuring accurate tracking of volumes within the October 1 annual cycle.
March 2023
Improved enforcement and transparency, reducing risks of quota evasion but increasing administrative burden for importers.