AdvaMed Requests Tariff Exclusions for COVID-19 Related Medical Technology Products

May 7, 2020

Last week, AdvaMed sent a letter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), urging that additional tariff exclusions be granted for medical devices, components and supplies coming from China needed in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the letter to USTR, AdvaMed requested tariff exclusions for more than 80 medical product types and components that medical technology companies have identified as critical in the diagnosis, containment and treatment of COVID-19, including: infection control apparel, needles/syringes, ventilator components, x-ray, dialysis machines, and diagnostic testing supplies. AdvaMed asked these tariff waivers be extended indefinitely or at least one year after the World Health Organization declares an end to the pandemic.

The USTR has previously taken action to remove some duties from medical-care products needed to address the COVID-19 outbreak. On March 25, the USTR issued a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on possible further modifications to remove tariffs from additional medical care products.

Scott Whitaker, President and CEO of AdaMed said,  “We appreciate USTR’s willingness to consider additional tariff relief, which will help encourage further imports from China of other mission-critical products, parts and components as together we continue to battle COVID-19.”