Customs Corner: U.S. Suspends Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus
26/07/2022Customs Corner issued on April 12th, 2022
On Friday, April 8, 2022, President Biden signed Legislative Bill H.R, 7108 into law which suspends normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus. The new law went into effect on Saturday, April 9, 2022, the day after signature by President Biden as per the legislative text. Products of Russian and Belarusian origin will be now subject to duty rates in Column 2 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The same as Cuban and North Korean origin goods.
The law provides the President the authorization to raise tariff rates above the level set in Column 2 with a 5-day advanced public notice until January 1, 2024. Moreover, the law provides the President the authority for the restoration of normal trade relations with Russia and/or Belarus through proper certifications and resolutions presented to U.S. Congress. (Source Link). President Biden also signed into law on April 8th, H.R. 6968, which prohibits importations of energy products (Chapter 27 USHTS) from Russia. (Source Link). CBP issued CSMS message # 51575437 on April 11th as an industry notice and implementation of the new Column 2 tariff requirements in ACE.
The updated U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule adding Russia and Belarus to General Note 3 (b) is forthcoming from the U.S. International Trade Commission. For questions pertaining to current shipments that may be effected by these new laws, please reach out to your local GEODIS representative.
For compliance or regulatory-related questions please contact the following:
Export: FF US Export Compliance [email protected]
Import / Brokerage: FF US Custom Info [email protected]
Resource links included in this blog:
1). https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/7108/text
2). https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6968/text
3). https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-312fa8d?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2
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