As US-China trade war tariffs strike, ships at sea are safe but ‘blackmail’ mood sours at Chinese docks

Cargo already bound for the US will not attract the new 25 per cent tariff, provided the importer can prove the goods were bought before Friday

US President Donald Trump followed through with his threat to increase the levy on US$200 billion of Chinese goods

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A directive from US Customs and Border Protection carved out an exclusion to the tariff increase for firms that bought goods before Friday, even if they arrived at American docks or airports after the tariff rise. Photo: AP

Finbarr Berminghamin Brussels,He Huifengin GuangdongandSidney Lengin Hong Kong

Published: 7:14pm, 10 May 2019Updated: 4:23am, 11 May 2019

Cargo bound for the United States from China will not attract the higher 25 per cent tariff imposed on Friday by the United States government, provided the importer can prove the goods were purchased before May 10.

A directive from US Customs and Border Protection carved out an exclusion to the tariff increase for firms that bought goods before Friday, even if they arrived at American docks or airports after the tariff rise.

“For subject goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after 12.01am eastern standard time on May 10, 2019, the 10 per cent duty will still apply,” read a customs guidance note.

The importer will need to prove that the goods were bought before the deadline, said Adrienne Braumiller, a partner at US law firm Braumiller Law Group.

“It is important that the importer ensures it has proof of export such as the date of export on the bill of lading,” she said.

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