Possible Extension of Exclusion for China 301 Duties on Over-the-Counter Reading Glasses

On July 8, 2020, the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) Office granted an exclusion from China 301 duties for over-the-counter reading glasses. On July 15, 2020, the USTR’s office issued a Federal Register notice announcing it is considering extending this exclusion for up to 12 months. Public comments on this proposed action have been requested, with the comment period running from July 15–August 14, 2020.

Over-the-counter reading glass companies should consider filing comments if they support an extension of the existing exclusion. To access the filing portal to make a comment, click here.

The Vision Council will submit comments in favor of the extensions, but it is extremely important for individual companies to file comments as well. Economic injury attributable to the China 301 duties is a key factor in favor of extending the exclusions and the USTR benefits from hearing how various individual companies were negatively impacted by the tariff on Chinese reading glasses. If you file comments, you will need to provide data on your 2018 and 2019 purchases of Chinese-origin, third-country origin, and U.S. origin reading glasses, as well as your 2018 and 2019 gross revenue, all of which is treated confidentially. The process also asks about steps you have taken to find non-Chinese sources and whether the resumption of the China 301 duties on over-the-counter reading glasses will result in severe economic harm to your company.

Comments are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on August 14, 2020. Any questions about this issue, or how to complete the comment template, can be directed to Rick Van Arnam, The Vision Council’s regulatory affairs counsel, at rvanarnam@barnesrichardson.com, or to Michael Vitale, The Visions Council’s Senior Technical Director and Lens, Lab and Lens Processing & Technology Division Liaison, at mvitale@thevisioncouncil.org.