China Section 301 actions continue after four-year review requests
USTR said the July 6, 2018 and August 23, 2018 Section 301 actions on China did not terminate at their four-year anniversary dates because domestic industries requested continuation. The actions remain in effect while USTR proceeds with the statutory review.
What this affects
ChinaThe update
This notice states that two existing Section 301 actions tied to China's technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation practices remain in effect. USTR received continuation requests from domestic industries that benefit from the actions, so the measures did not terminate on their four-year anniversary dates.
The notice covers the July 6, 2018 action, as modified, and the August 23, 2018 action, as modified. USTR says it received numerous requests to continue both actions, including requests from domestic producers and trade associations, and therefore the actions continue under Section 307(c)(1)(B) of the Trade Act.
USTR will now conduct the next step in the statutory four-year review for both actions. The agency says it will publish a separate notice or notices on the review process and will invite comments on the effectiveness of the actions, possible other actions, and effects on the US economy, including consumers.
Impact
For importers, this notice means the existing Section 301 measures covered by these two 2018 actions do not lapse at the 2026 anniversary dates. Any landed cost, sourcing, and cash flow assumptions tied to those actions stay in place unless and until USTR later modifies them through the ongoing review.
What to watch
This notice does not announce a new tariff rate, product scope change, or exclusion process. It only confirms continuation of the existing actions and signals that USTR will issue a separate notice for the next review steps, where modifications could still be considered.
How to prepare
- 1Map entries to Section 301 exposure
Match current imports against the 2018 actions that remain in effect.
- 2Model continued duty costs
Keep landed cost and cash flow assumptions unchanged unless later notices modify the actions.
- 3Watch for review notices
USTR said it will publish separate notices describing the next review process.
- 4Retain origin support
Maintain documentation used to support China origin determinations on affected entries.
Sources
- Continuation of Actions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation · Federal Register · October 7, 2026
We summarize published reporting and official notices. Always confirm rates and dates against the Federal Register or your customs broker before acting on them.