The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) is a key piece of U.S. trade legislation designed to support domestic manufacturers and importers by temporarily reducing or suspending import tariffs on certain products. First introduced in the early 1980s, the MTB has evolved over time, with its latest procedural updates established under the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016 (AMCA).

Key Objectives of the MTB

The MTB serves two primary purposes:

1. Enhancing U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness – By lowering import duties on essential inputs, the MTB helps U.S. manufacturers reduce production costs and remain competitive in global markets.
2. Providing Technical Corrections to the HTSUS – The bill allows importers to request adjustments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to ensure accurate classification of goods.

To qualify for inclusion in the MTB, product petitions must meet specific criteria:

· Non-controversial – No domestic opposition or competing U.S. production of the product.

· Minimal revenue impact – The duty suspension or reduction should not significantly reduce government revenue.

Regulatory Oversight & the MTB Process

Under the AMCA, the MTB process has been streamlined for greater transparency and efficiency. Key agencies involved include:

1. U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)

· Collects and publishes product petitions.

· Facilitates public comment periods.

· Coordinates with the Department of Commerce (DOC) and other agencies.

· Issues preliminary and final reports to Congress.

2. Department of Commerce (DOC)

· Assesses domestic production availability and potential objections.

· Works with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to verify product descriptions.

· Submits a report to congressional committees and the USITC.

3. Congressional Committees (Ways & Means, Senate Finance)

· Review USITC recommendations.

· Finalize the MTB before it becomes law.

Current Status of the 2017 MTB Process

The latest MTB cycle is progressing as follows:

· Oct 14 – Dec 12, 2016: USITC opened its portal for petition submissions.

· Jan 11 – Feb 24, 2017: Public comment period on submitted petitions.

· April 10, 2017: DOC submitted its report to the USITC, including:

CBP’s assessment of administrable product descriptions.

Identification of products potentially subject to anti-dumping (ADD) or countervailing duties (CVD).

Notable Trends in 2017 Petitions

While past MTBs focused mainly on raw materials and chemical inputs, the 2017 petitions include a broader range of products, such as:

·  Chemicals & plastics

· Leather goods & apparel

· Furniture & vehicle parts

· Meat & food products

Some critics argue that the inclusion of finished goods deviates from the MTB’s original intent of supporting manufacturing inputs.

Next Steps in the MTB Timeline

·  April – June 2017: USITC reviews DOC findings and submits a preliminary report.

·  June – August 2017: USITC re-evaluates petitions and issues a final report.

·  Late 2017: Congress passes the MTB, amending HTSUS Chapter 99, Subchapter II for up to three years.

The entire process takes approximately 300 days, with the next submission window opening no later than October 15, 2019.

How Businesses Can Benefit

· Importers should review the 2017 petitions list to identify potential duty savings.

· Manufacturers can assess whether their products qualify for future MTB cycles.

For detailed guidelines and filing tools, visit the USITC MTB Portal.

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