The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has begun accepting comments on petitions seeking temporary duty suspensions and reductions in accordance with the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016 (AMCA).

The AMCA allows petitioners who can demonstrate that they are likely beneficiaries of a suspension or reduction of duties to submit petitions to the USITC. It also provides that members of the public will have 45 days to submit comments to the Commission regarding the petitions. The USITC must then evaluate the petitions and determine whether they meet certain statutory requirements. The USITC will ultimately submit preliminary and final reports to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance for their use in developing a miscellaneous tariff bill for Congressional consideration.

From October 14, 2016, through December 12, 2016, the Commission accepted petitions from filers who could demonstrate that they are likely beneficiaries of a suspension or reduction of duties.

The Commission now seeks comments on these already filed petitions.

Anyone wishing to support, object to, or otherwise comment on a petition must file views with the Commission through the agency’s Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Petition System on the USITC website.  Comments must be filed during a 45-day formal comment period that will run from January 11, 2017, through 5:15 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2017. 

Commenters must file all comments by the deadline.  This includes comments intended to edit or correct a comment filed earlier in the comment period but later withdrawn.

The portal may be accessed here: https://www.usitc.gov/mtbps.

Key points commenters should be aware of:

• Commenters must file their comments using the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Petition System (MTBPS) portal on the USITC website. No other method of filing will be accepted.


• Commenters must file such submissions no later than 5:15 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2017 (45 days after January 11, 2017).  No late filings will be accepted.


• Commenters are strongly advised to visit the USITC website before attempting to file a comment and review the Commission’s Rules, the Handbook on MTB Filing Procedures, and the Before You File a Comment guide. 


• Commenters should have all required information at hand before beginning the filing process because the portal system does not allow users to save their work and return to it at a later time.

Commenters should direct questions about the MTB process to mtbinfo@usitc.gov and technical questions regarding the portal to mtbpshelp@usitc.gov.