USTR Proposes Additional 12.5% Duty on Chinese Imports in Forced-Labor Trade Action
What the USTR Proposed
On June 2, the Office of the United States Trade Representative proposed additional Section 301 duties on products from economies it found had failed to impose and effectively enforce prohibitions on imports made with forced labor.
China is included in the group identified as lacking such a prohibition and effective enforcement. Under the proposed action, products of China would be subject to an additional 12.5% duty, except for products covered by stated exclusions.
Why It Matters for China-to-U.S. Shipping
The proposed duty would affect the landed cost of covered goods imported from China into the United States. For importers, e-commerce sellers and supply-chain planners, any new duty can change sourcing costs, replenishment decisions and shipment budgeting.
The proposal is not yet an effective tariff. Importers should not treat the 12.5% rate as currently payable unless and until final action is announced.
Timeline and Next Steps
USTR is accepting requests to appear at the hearing through June 22, 2026. Written comments are due by July 6, 2026, and a public hearing is scheduled for July 7, 2026.
The final scope, exclusions and effective date, if any, will depend on the outcome of that process and any subsequent USTR action.
What Importers Should Check
Businesses shipping Chinese-origin goods to the United States should monitor the final USTR decision, review product classifications against any published exclusions and model potential duty exposure before confirming future import budgets
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