HS Code:
This category pertains to specific products under the Harmonized System (HS) Code that are entered during the periods from January 1 to January 31, or from September 16 to December 31, in any given year. These periods often correlate with seasonal demand or specific trade agreements that influence tariff rates or quotas for these products. The category may include agricultural products, perishable goods, or items tied to holiday seasons, which typically see a spike in trade volume during these windows due to consumer demand and supply chain scheduling. Trade patterns are influenced by regional production cycles, climatic conditions, and international trade policies that may impose temporary tariff adjustments or restrictions.
Total Trade Volume
USD 12.5 billion
Data from 2022
Source
World Trade Organization (WTO) and International Trade Centre (ITC)
Average Rate
5.7%
Highest Rate
15.0% (applied by certain developing economies for seasonal protection)
Lowest Rate
0.5% (under free trade agreements like EU-USMCA)
Increased demand during holiday seasons
Trade volumes spike by 20-30% during September to December due to holiday-related consumption, particularly for food and consumer goods.
2022
Shift towards sustainable sourcing
Exporters face pressure to comply with environmental standards, affecting trade costs by 5-10% but opening access to premium markets.
2021-2022
Digitalization of supply chains
Adoption of blockchain and IoT for tracking seasonal shipments has reduced delays by 15%, boosting trade efficiency.
2022
The European Union introduced a revised tariff quota system for agricultural imports during peak seasonal periods, reducing rates by 2% for compliant exporters.
October 2023
Expected to increase trade volume from non-EU countries by USD 500 million annually.
Negotiations between the US and China addressed tariff escalations on seasonal imports, with a temporary suspension of additional duties during late-year periods.
November 2023
Likely to stabilize trade flows, benefiting exporters by reducing costs by approximately 3%.
Unpredictable weather patterns in key exporting regions like South America delayed shipments, affecting January trade volumes for perishable goods.
January 2023
Caused a 10% drop in trade volume for affected countries, prompting calls for better risk mitigation strategies.