Section 301 Tariff: How to Check If Your Product is Affected

Wondering if your product is subject to Section 301 tariffs? These extra import duties, imposed on certain goods from abroad, can significantly raise your costs. Since 2018, the US has applied Section 301 tariffs on four waves of Chinese imports, ranging from 7.5% to 25% and covering over $360 billion worth of goods. Many of these duties remain in effect today (and have even increased for some items after a 2024 review), so it is important for importers to know if their products are affected. Below, we’ll explain in more depth what a Section 301 tariff is, and show how to check your product and estimate the impact on your bottom line.

Understanding 301 Tariffs and Their Scope

Section 301 traces back to the Trade Act of 1974, which gave the US Trade Representative (USTR) authority to investigate and respond to unfair foreign trade practices. Initially, the provision was used sparingly, but in 2018 the Trump administration revived it in a major way, with investigations into China’s intellectual property theft and forced tech transfers justifying the imposition of the four major 301 tariff lists between 2018 and 2019, covering hundreds of billions in Chinese imports, or roughly two-thirds of US imports from China. 

Section 301 tariffs are not static. By law, these measures must undergo periodic review. Notably, in 2024 the USTR concluded a four-year review and decided to not only keep the tariffs in place but also to hike rates on certain “strategic” imports (like electric vehicles, batteries, and medical supplies) to 50% or even 100% in coming years. New product-specific exclusions, sparing particular imports from the extra tariff, were also introduced or reinstated in certain cases. 

All this means the list of affected products and rates can change over time. So, even if your item wasn’t subject to the 301 duty last year, it might be added later, or vice versa. Section 301 casts a wide net over imports (especially from China), and staying informed on whether your HTS code is caught in that net is essential for accurate cost planning.

What is a Section 301 Tariff Lookup?

In practice, a 301 tariff lookup refers to the process of checking the product’s tariff classification code against the official lists of goods hit with Section 301 duties. Every import is classified under a specific code in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of the United States, and each product subject to Section 301 is identified by an 8-digit or 10-digit HTS subheading. By using the right resources, you can look up your product’s HTS code to see if the USTR has added extra duty on it under a Section 301 action.

Some compliance teams now rely on AI-powered tools like Gaia Dynamics to automate this process. Gaia’s Tariffs Engine flags whether a tariff code matches a live Section 301 action, eliminating the guesswork and helping teams respond faster when duty rates shift.

This helps importers quickly identify if their goods from China (or other targeted countries) will incur higher taxes at U.S. customs. It’s an important first step in understanding your import costs and compliance obligations.

Step-by-Step Guide to Section 301 Tariff Lookup

Checking if your product is affected by Section 301 tariffs involves a few straightforward steps. The key is to use official resources and understand the results. Below is a step-by-step guide:

Official Resources to Use

1. Find your product’s HTS code: First, determine the 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule code for your product if you don’t already have it. This code is the universal identifier for your item’s category. Many suppliers or customs brokers can provide the HTS code. (If you’re unsure what an HTS code is or how to get it, consult the US International Trade Commission’s guidance or ask a customs professional.) Knowing the exact code is crucial because the Section 301 tariff lists are organized by HTS subheadings.

2. Use the USTR’s Section 301 Tariff Lookup tool: The USTR provides an online search tool specifically for Section 301 tariffs. On the USTR website’s Section 301 portal, there is a search field where you can enter the first 8 digits of your HTS code. This official lookup tool will tell you whether your product’s code is subject to any Section 301 action and the corresponding additional duty rate. Essentially, it queries the compiled lists of tariff actions (List 1, 2, 3, 4A, etc., including any later modifications) to see if your code appears there. The result will show which list or action applies and what extra tariff percentage is in effect. 

3. Cross-check the Harmonized Tariff Schedule: As an alternative or double-check, you can use the US International Trade Commission’s HTS search. This is the master tariff schedule. When you search your HTS code on that site, look at the “Special” duty rate column or any notes – Section 301 duties might be indicated in a footnote or as a temporary rate. Sometimes the HTS will reference a Chapter 99 subheading for additional duties (Section 301 China tariffs are administered under HTS Chapter 99 entries). The ITC site ensures you catch the latest updates, including any newly added products or exclusions.

4. Review USTR and CBP notices: For comprehensive diligence, consider reviewing the latest USTR press releases or Federal Register notices about Section 301. These documents list HTS codes covered and any changes (for example, if tariffs were raised or if exclusions were granted an extension). US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also issues bulletins and FAQs that clarify tariff treatment. CBP’s guidance can be helpful if your situation is complex (for example, goods in a Foreign Trade Zone, or how refunds apply for re-exports).

How to Interpret Lookup Results

If your product is subject to Section 301 tariffs, the lookup result will typically show the list or action number and the additional duty rate. For example, it might indicate “List 3 – 25%” which means your item falls under the third tranche of China tariffs at a 25% rate (on top of the normal duty). Or it could show “List 4A – 7.5%” if it’s in the fourth tranche that had a 7.5% rate. The USTR tool also notes if the tariff is part of a “modification” (e.g., an adjusted rate from a review). Pay attention to any effective dates mentioned; some tariff increases have staggered start dates, so a product might be slated for a higher tariff in the near future even if today it’s lower.

If the result says “No Section 301 actions found” for your HTS code, that means your product isn’t currently hit by these extra tariffs, but ensure you entered the correct code and that the product is indeed of the country in question (the tool assumes Chinese origin for the China 301 tariffs). Remember that origin matters: Section 301 duties apply if goods are from the targeted country (China, in this case), regardless of where they’re exported from. So a Chinese-made part shipped from Canada would still incur the tariff when imported to the US, whereas a Canadian-made part with the same HTS code would not.

If an exclusion is in effect for your product, the lookup should indicate that (often via a specific HTS sub-subheading in Chapter 99). For example, an item might be listed as excluded through a certain date, or under a special tariff line that carries a 0% Section 301 rate. It’s important to verify if any exclusion applies, because that could save you a substantial amount. (USTR’s website has a section for exclusion announcements, and CBP’s bulletin lists the HTS codes with active exclusions.)

Reciprocal Tariffs and Their Role in Section 301

Reciprocal tariffs happen when one country intends to mirror or respond to the tariffs imposed by another country. For example, if Country A charges a 20% duty on imports of steel from Country B, then Country B might retaliate by imposing an equivalent 20% duty on steel from Country A. The idea is to exert pressure for more balanced trade relations or to discourage unfair high tariffs by ensuring the cost is mutual.

In the context of Section 301, reciprocal tariffs have recently played out in one major way: pushing the US and China into a deepening trade war. After the “Liberation Day” tariffs took effect in April 2025, US duties on Chinese imports jumped to over 50% on average, while China responded by raising its average tariffs on US goods to around 33%. By the middle of the year, the combined tariff load on both sides had ballooned to nearly 125%, making trade between the two countries more expensive than at any point in recent history. 

In short, reciprocal tariffs play a role in Section 301 because any country hit with 301 duties (like China) may retaliate in kind. For businesses, this underscores the importance of diversification and vigilance. If you source from a country in a tariff fight, your costs go up; if you export to that country, your sales could suffer from their counter-tariffs. Always consider the possibility of reciprocal actions when evaluating supply chains during a trade dispute.

Using the US Import Tax Calculator for Accurate Cost Estimates

Identifying that your product is subject to a 25% tariff is only half the battle. You also need to budget for that cost, which is where an import tax calculator comes in handy. A US import tax calculator can help you estimate all the duties, taxes, and fees you’ll owe for bringing a product into the country. By inputting details like the product’s value, HTS code, country of origin, and shipping costs, you can get an approximate total of import charges, including any Section 301 tariffs.

The U.S. International Trade Commission’s DataWeb provides a simple tariff lookup where you enter the value, origin, and HTS classification to see applicable duty rates. The calculator will combine the base tariff for that product with the additional Section 301 percentage (if applicable), and add any other fees like the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) or Harbor Maintenance Fee.

Note that basic calculators might not always include factors like temporary exclusions, special programs, or anti-dumping tariffs. For more complex situations, consider consulting a customs broker or using more advanced tariff analysis software. Modern platforms like Gaia Dynamics go further, offering real-time duty simulation with alerts for tariff rate changes and exclusion updates. For companies importing at scale, it’s a way to stay a step ahead of unpredictable compliance costs, without waiting for an audit to uncover the problem.