Information on Section 301 Tariff Investigation | American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa

June 03, 2026

USTR's investigation concluded that 54 economies, including South Africa, did not have an explicit legal prohibition on the importation of goods produced wholly or partly with forced labor. USTR is proposing a 12.5 ad valorem rate for countries that do not have a forced labor import prohibition or a commitment to undertake such a prohibition. Nothing would take effect yet - USTR will conduct an additional public comment process regarding the conclusions of its investigation before it makes any final recommendations.

Further information on the process is below.

USTR Makes Findings and Proposes Action in 60 Section 301 Investigations Relating to Failures to Take Action on Trade in Forced Labor Goods | United States Trade Representative

USTR will hold hearings about the proposed actions in these investigations on July 7, 2026. Written comments are due by July 6, 2026.

A copy of the Report is available here
A copy of the Federal Register notice setting out the U.S. Trade Representative’s actionability determination and proposed actions is available here .
A docket for comments regarding the investigations will be available here .
A docket for requests to appear at the public hearings to be held in connection with these investigations will be available here .