Executive Summary
The four-year safeguard applies to covered quartz surface products entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after August 15, 2026, unless it is earlier modified or terminated.
In the first year, the annual limit is 13,006,424 square meters, divided into four quarterly limits of 3,251,606 square meters, plus any eligible rollover.
CBP identifies 9903.45.30 as the low-rate line and 9903.45.31 as the high-rate line; the applicable line depends on quota availability.
For the second quarter, the quota opens November 16, 2026, and entries filed in the opening window can be prorated if a tariff-line group exceeds its limit.
The quartz surface products tariff-rate quota is a four-year Section 201 safeguard that applies additional duties to covered imports, with a lower-rate quota for entries within the limit and a higher-rate line for excess quantities. The August 2026 proclamation makes it effective for goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after August 15, 2026. CBP’s 2027 second-quarter quota bulletin sets the next opening for November 16, 2026.
Which Imports Does the Quartz Surface Products Quota Cover?
The quota covers quartz surface products classifiable under HTSUS 6810.99.0020, 6810.99.0040, and 7020.00.6000. The proclamation applies the safeguard to imports from all countries except the stated exclusions, so confirm the product’s classification and country of origin before applying a quota line.
The exclusions include products of Australia, Canada, Mexico, Israel, and listed free-trade partners, as well as CBERA beneficiaries and qualifying developing countries listed in the proclamation’s Annex. Developing-country treatment has conditions: an individual country’s share must not exceed 3 percent, and the combined share of countries below that threshold must not exceed 9 percent. The proclamation authorizes changes if those thresholds are exceeded.
What Are the Quartz Surface Products Quota Rates?
CBP identifies 9903.45.30 as the low-rate tariff line and 9903.45.31 as the high-rate line, each paired with one of the three covered product classifications. The quota applies by HTSUS group: entries within available quantity use the in-quota line, while quantities beyond the limit use the over-quota line.
The proclamation sets a four-year safeguard, with annual increases in within-quota quantities and reductions in the duty rates in years two, three, and four. The current CBP bulletin names the low- and high-rate lines but does not state their numeric percentages or the later-year rate and quota schedules. Check the applicable HTSUS provisions and current CBP quota bulletin before calculating duty.
When Does Each Quartz Surface Products Quarter Run?
The first-year quota has four periods, and the second quarter opens November 16, 2026.
- August 15, 2026 to November 14, 2026: First quarter.
- November 15, 2026 to February 13, 2027: Second quarter; opening date is November 16, 2026.
- February 14, 2027 to May 15, 2027: Third quarter.
- May 16, 2027 to August 14, 2027: Fourth quarter.
The first-year annual limit is 13,006,424 square meters. Each quarter has a limit of 3,251,606 square meters plus any unused quantity rolled over. CBP reports no unused quantity carried from the first quarter into the second. Unused second- and third-quarter quantities roll into the following quarter within 14 days of its opening. Any unused quantity at the end of the fourth quarter is unavailable for another quarter.
How Should Brokers File for the Quartz Quota Opening?
For the November 16, 2026 opening, CBP will assign entries submitted after 12:01 a.m. local port time and before 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time an 8:30 a.m. entry time for quota qualification. If a tariff-line group exceeds its limit at that time, CBP will prorate all accepted entries.
- Use the required sequence. Put the applicable chapter 99 number first, followed by the corresponding product HTSUS number.
- File in square meters. CBP requires the square-meter unit of measure to claim quota treatment.
- Select an eligible entry type. CBP lists 02, 06, 07, 12, 23, 32, 38, or 52 for in-quota merchandise.
- Complete the presentation conditions. CBP determines presentation date and time when an error-free entry summary is on file, payment or statement-scheduled information is transmitted to ACE, and shipment arrival information is transmitted to ACE.
The bulletin says quota processing is first come, first served by presentation date and time until the limit for the applicable group is reached. The merchandise may also incur other duties, including antidumping or countervailing duties.
Where Can Importers Confirm the Remaining Rate Schedule?
Before filing, verify the current quota balance and tariff provisions for the applicable quarter, since the bulletin’s opening and restraint information is specific to that quota period. The proclamation establishes the four-year duration and the direction of the annual rate and quantity changes, but the numeric rate percentages and complete later-year schedule are not stated in the CBP bulletin.
Sources
- To Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Competition From Imports of Quartz Surface Products, Federal Register
- CSMS # 70241036 - Information: Quota Bulletin 26-601 2027 Quartz Surface Products Second Quarter, CBP / CSMS
- Quota Bulletin 26-602 2027 Quartz Surface Products Second Quarter, www.cbp.gov
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