Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ)
Many items are subject to Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs). TRQs are a two-stage tariff, which imposes a lower rate of duty on imports up to the quota level and a higher rate of duty on imports over-quota. Typically, after the quota level is filled, USMCA cannot be claimed and the high rate of duty will apply.
While TRQs on some products re-open (start with a 0% fill rate) during the year, many will re-open on January 4, 2020.   Some TRQs fill at opening moment. If you plan to ship goods subject to a TRQ opening on January 4, 2020 that you feel may close at opening moment, please contact the Willson office at the border crossing at which the shipment will cross to make prior arrangements for your clearance.
Monitoring TRQ Levels
If you plan to ship goods subject to a TRQ, please monitor the quota (via the web link shown below) and advise the Willson office at the port of arrival prior to shipment when the quota level reaches 85% to make arrangements to have the entry submitted timely and to discuss whether the truck will wait while entry is made to see if the quota is still open and whether it will return to Canada if closed.
Weekly Commodity Status Report for TRQs and TPLs, which shows the current rate filled as of the date of the report and the start and end rates of each quota period, are available on the U.S> Customs and Border Protection website.
If you have any questions or concerns on this matter, you may contact our US Transition Team at transitionus@willsonintl.com.