U.S.–China “30-for-30” Product List: How to Check HTS Codes and Ex-Out Limits

What the $30 billion figure means

The U.S.–China “30-for-30” framework gives importers a reason to review their product catalogs. Before changing a customer quote or customs entry, however, the relevant product scope and implementation requirements need to be checked.

The September 27 framework document values the two product lists by reference to bilateral trade in calendar year 2024. The roughly $30 billion on each side describes trade value, not projected duty savings. It also states that tariff reductions will be determined and implemented through each country’s domestic legal processes.

China’s Ministry of Commerce announcement says more than 90% of the products will receive most-favored-nation treatment after the removal of mutually imposed additional tariffs. MFN treatment should not automatically be read as duty-free treatment.

The framework and product lists reviewed for this article do not specify an implementation date. Those documents alone are therefore insufficient to establish that a particular entry qualifies for reduced duties.

Start with the actual U.S. import list

The official U.S. import list contains 77 numbered entries. It includes selected household textiles, appliances, infant products, toys, holiday goods, and recreational products.

Those are selected provisions and descriptions, rather than blanket coverage for an entire industry. For example, the list includes HTSUS 8516.71.00 for certain domestic electric coffee or tea makers, while its treatment of toys under 9503.00.00 includes a specific limitation.

A familiar product name is a useful search term. It is not enough to determine either classification or list eligibility.

Why an Ex-Out matters

The list explains that an “X” in the Ex-Out column limits coverage to the accompanying product description.

Entry 49 illustrates the issue. Although it lists 9503.00.00, it excludes items enabled with radio frequency, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Bluetooth. See page 3 and the closing explanatory note.

Consider two hypothetical toys that have independently been confirmed as correctly classified under that provision. A conventional puzzle without those connectivity features could proceed to the remaining scope checks. A Bluetooth-enabled toy could not be treated as covered by entry 49 simply because its HTS code matches.

This example explains the screening process; it does not assign a classification to an actual product.

A practical review before changing a quote

Build a short, reviewable record for each potentially affected SKU:

1. Document the product. Collect materials, construction, intended use, model specifications, and connectivity features. A sales title may omit the detail that decides an Ex-Out question.
2. Confirm the U.S. classification. Record the candidate HTSUS code, supporting reasoning, and schedule version. Do not substitute another country’s tariff code for the complete U.S. classification.
3. Match the list entry. Save the entry number, provision, Ex-Out status, and relevant description. Explain any remaining uncertainty.
4. Check implementation requirements. Review the applicable official measures for effective dates, origin conditions, reporting requirements, and the duties affected. Check the base rate and other potentially applicable duties separately.
5. Obtain a final review. Have your customs broker or trade adviser review the product evidence and proposed treatment before updating entry instructions.

Keep the current-duty calculation and any prospective reduced-duty scenario separate in your pricing model. Label the assumptions in each. This makes it easier to explain what would need to change before a potential saving becomes a reliable quoted price.

Use HTS research to prepare a better review

Costvanta’s free HTS lookup can help you explore candidate codes, duty information, and relevant CBP rulings. Use those results to organize the classification questions, then return to the official product list and applicable implementation documents.

The goal is a documented decision that someone else can check: the product facts, classification basis, exact list provision, and legal requirements supporting the proposed treatment.

This article provides general information, not a product-specific classification, customs determination, or legal opinion.