U.S. establishes four-year safeguard tariff-rate quota on quartz surface products
Date of publication: August 4, 2026.
Effective August 15, 2026, the United States will impose a four-year safeguard measure on certain imports of quartz surface products (QSP). The measure, established by Presidential Proclamation on July 31, 2026, takes the form of a tariff-rate quota (TRQ): imports entered within the available quota quantity will be subject to a lower additional duty, while imports exceeding the quota will be subject to a higher additional duty.
The action follows a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) investigation under Section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974. The ITC found that QSP imports were entering the United States in increased quantities and were a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry.
Products covered
The safeguard applies to quartz surface products currently classifiable under HTSUS subheadings:
- 6810.99.0020
- 6810.99.0040
- 7020.00.6000
For purposes of the measure, QSP includes slabs and other surfaces made from a mixture of materials in which silica - such as quartz, quartz powder, cristobalite, or glass powder - is the predominant material by actual weight, combined with a resin binder. Covered articles may include finished or unfinished countertops, backsplashes, vanity tops, tabletops, flooring, wall facing, shower surrounds, fireplace surrounds, mantels, and tiles. The scope can apply whether the product is polished, cut, fabricated, packaged, or imported with non-subject merchandise, such as sinks, cabinets, or furniture. In those cases, only the QSP portion is covered. Natural quarried-stone products, including granite, marble, soapstone, and quartzite, are excluded.
Importantly, processing or finishing QSP in a third country - such as cutting, polishing, edging, thermoforming, or packaging - does not by itself remove the product from scope. Importers should carefully evaluate product composition, manufacturing, country of origin, classification, and supporting documentation.
Safeguard duty rates and quota quantities
The safeguard duties apply in addition to the normal Chapter 68 or Chapter 70 duty rate, as applicable. Antidumping duties, countervailing duties, and other applicable duties and charges also continue to apply.
Entry period | In-quota additional duty | Over-quota additional duty | Total annual quota quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
August 15, 2026-August 14, 2027 | 25% | 50% | 13,006,426 square meters |
August 15, 2027-August 14, 2028 | 23% | 49% | 14,771,583 square meters |
August 15, 2028-August 14, 2029 | 21% | 48% | 15,236,099 square meters |
August 15, 2029-August 14, 2030 | 19% | 47% | 15,700,614 square meters |
The quota is administered on a quarterly basis. For the first safeguard year, each quarterly allocation is 3,251,606 square meters. Unused quota from a prior quarter may carry forward into the next quarter; however, imports exceeding the available quarterly quantity must be entered under the over-quota provision.
The relevant Chapter 99 HTSUS provisions are:
- 9903.45.30 - QSP entered within the applicable quota quantity
- 9903.45.31 - QSP entered in excess of the applicable quota quantity
Country exclusions
The safeguard measure does not apply to QSP that is a product of the following countries and trade programs:
- Australia, Canada, Colombia, Israel, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Singapore, and South Korea;
- CAFTA-DR countries: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua;
- Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act beneficiary countries and territories; and
- Certain developing countries identified in U.S. Note 41(c) to the HTSUS safeguard provisions.
Products from exempt countries are not subject to the safeguard duties and do not count against the quota. However, if imports from developing countries exceed applicable import-share thresholds, the U.S. Trade Representative may modify those exclusions and revise the country list through a Federal Register notice. The proclamation also allows the United States to extend the safeguard measure to otherwise excluded countries if an import surge occurs.
Foreign-trade zone implications
QSP subject to the safeguard measure that is admitted into a U.S. foreign-trade zone on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on August 15, 2026, must be admitted in privileged foreign status. Upon entry for consumption, the merchandise will be subject to the applicable tariff and quota treatment.
Recommended importer actions
Importers of quartz surface products should consider taking the following steps before the effective date:
- Review product scope and classifications. Confirm whether imported products meet the QSP definition and are classified under one of the covered HTSUS subheadings.
- Validate country of origin. Maintain sufficient origin and production records to support eligibility for a country exclusion where applicable.
- Prepare for Chapter 99 reporting. Update entry processes to report HTSUS heading 9903.45.30 for in-quota entries or 9903.45.31 for over-quota entries, as appropriate.
- Monitor quota availability. Quarterly quota administration may affect landed cost and shipment timing, particularly for high-volume import programs.
- Assess cumulative duty exposure. Evaluate safeguard duties together with base duty, antidumping and countervailing duties, and any other applicable trade remedies or import charges.
- Review FTZ procedures. Ensure FTZ admission practices account for the privileged foreign-status requirement effective August 15, 2026.
The safeguard is scheduled to remain in effect through August 14, 2030, unless it is reduced, modified, terminated, or otherwise adjusted earlier by the Administration.
For information on how ONESOURCE Global Trade solutions can help with your trade compliance needs, contact your Account Manager or Customer Success Manager.