The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is now accepting exclusion requests for tariffs on Chinese imports, including fishing gear, that went into effect Sept. 15.

American Sportfishing Association members that want to request exclusions, defined on List 4a of Section 301 tariffs, should register on USTR’s exclusion process portal as soon as possible, according to the ASA.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through Jan. 31.

A separate list of products, known as List 4b, will be subject to additional 15 percent tariffs beginning Dec. 15. The exclusion process beginning today applies to List 4a; no process for List 4b has been announced.

Details were released by the USTR regarding procedures to request an exclusion.

ASA put together additional information last week to help prepare members for the exclusion process.

Products that were subjected to the additional 15 percent tariff starting Sept. 1 include the following products (the 8-digit number, known as an HTS subheading, helps companies learn whether their products are subject to tariffs):

• 9507.20.40 Fish hooks, snelled
• 9507.20.80 Fish hooks, not snelled
• 9507.30.60 Fishing reels, valued over $8.45
• 9507.30.80 Parts and accessories for fishing reels
• 9507.90.20 Fishing line, put up and packaged for retail sale
• 9507.90.40 Fishing casts or leaders
• 9507.90.70 Artificial baits and flies

Companies can enter their HTS subheadings to see if they are subject to tariffs here. ASA can assist by sending letters of support on behalf of members but will not be able to submit the official request for its members.