Tariff exclusion extension includes shredder wear parts

Citing a “historic trade and economic deal” reached between President Donald J. Trump and Xi Jinping of China in early November, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has extended tariff exclusions for some products falling within the Section 301 tariff regimen.

An announcement by Jennifer Thornton of USTR, posted to the agency’s website, retraces the history of Section 301 tariff exclusions with China since 2023 and indicates that the U.S. will extend the 178 exclusions originally set to expire Nov. 29 until Nov. 10, 2026.

Because shredder hammers and other wear parts used in metals shredding and recycling operations are among those 178 items potentially subject to a 25 percent tariff, the Washington-based Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) has been engaged with USTR on the issue and has urged its members to do the same.

“ReMA continues to urge the Trump administration to permanently exclude shredder wear parts and other components, equipment and machinery from any of the tariff programs, including the Section 301 duties from China,” Adam Shaffer, a vice president with ReMA, said in September as the November deadline neared.

While the tariff exemption provides some relief to recycling companies that import shredder hammers, the products remain subject to non-Section 301 tariffs, including 50 percent Section 232 tariffs on steel and steel products and a 10 percent tariff aimed at China tied to its export of the opioid fentanyl.

“We are very concerned about the potential impact on recyclers of the expansion of the Section 232 steel derivatives to include shredder wear parts," Shaffer said in September.