The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released updated guidance clarifying that certain electronics and high-tech products will be excluded from the “reciprocal” tariffs announced earlier this month, according to a notice from the government body.
Key points:
- Products covered by specified HTSUS headings (e.g., 8471, 8541, 8542) are exempt from the reciprocal tariffs.
- These items include computers, semiconductors, telecom equipment, and solar cells.
- The tariff relief applies retroactively to goods entered or withdrawn for consumption on or after April 5, 2025.
This exemption list provides significant relief for US-based tech firms and global supply chains that rely on high-value components sourced from partners like Vietnam.
Of note, Vietnam’s exports of computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof; machine, equipment, tools and instruments; telephones, mobile phones and parts thereof, to the US last year were worth about US$55.1 billion which was about 46 percent of Vietnam’s exports to the US.
See also: Electronics Manufacturing in Vietnam