ECIA Issues China Tariff Removal Guidance Document to Members

Atlanta–The ECIA Board of Directors and Council leaders assigned the GIPC (Global Industry Practices Committee) to anticipate the unwinding/untangling of inventory issues inflicted through the tariffs by identifying a checklist of areas and issues for consideration when tariffs are removed.

Since the implementation of the China Tariff List 301 in July 2018 the electronic components authorized channel partners have been dealing with the sudden and unexpected challenges of implementing methods to manage and process the exchange of tariff information. When the transition begins to remove tariffs, manufacturers and distributors will again need to work closely together to solve the many issues created by the tariff process.

Untangling from the complexity of the tariff can be just as complex as implementing it. What tariffs have been paid, by whom and when, what portion of the tariff is applicable and what portion is not – ECIA members want to be ready to unwind these issues as quickly and accurately as possible. The GIPC document represents what manufacturers and distributors identify as areas for consideration when tariffs are removed. Each manufacturer and distributor may determine which areas for consideration best fits its own unique needs. This document does not represent a collective effort to require manufacturers or distributors to take any action on any item within the checklists.

“We’ve collected a lot of relevant input from manufacturers and distributors and their subject matter experts,” explained Don Elario, ECIA Vice President of Industry Practices. “And our ability to discuss and negotiate compromises in advance of tariffs being removed, will lead to mutually beneficial results.”