Overview

The U.S. Trade Representative has completed its required four-year review of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports, confirming that existing duties will remain in place and certain product categories will face adjusted rates. For Amazon sellers who rely on Chinese manufacturing for private label or wholesale inventory, this decision locks in higher landed costs and signals that tariff relief is unlikely in the near term.

What's Changing

• Existing tariffs confirmed indefinitely — The USTR found that China's trade practices have "persisted, and in some cases became more aggressive," meaning the 7.5% to 25% tariff rates on covered goods will continue with no expiration date.
• Modified rates for select categories — Medical supplies, semiconductors, solar equipment, and certain machinery lines are seeing adjusted tariff rates or revised implementation timelines.
• New exclusion windows coming — The USTR will open exclusion processes for specific machinery tariff lines, offering some importers a potential path to reduced duties.
• Expanded semiconductor coverage — Wafers, polysilicon, and related materials now face additional tariff exposure, raising input costs for electronics and tech accessory sellers.
• Tighter customs enforcement — Documentation requirements are being enforced more strictly alongside the tariff continuation, increasing the risk of penalties for classification errors.

Which Product Categories Are Affected

The announcement confirmed tariff modifications across several categories relevant to marketplace sellers. Medical products including face masks, gloves, needles, and syringes received new rate adjustments and revised implementation timelines. Sellers in the health and medical supplies space should verify current duty rates before locking in new supplier contracts.

Semiconductor materials now face broader tariff coverage under proposed modifications. This has downstream effects for sellers dealing in electronics, phone accessories, smart home devices, and any products containing electronic components. When manufacturing input costs rise, suppliers typically pass those increases through to finished goods pricing.