ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Tariff increases being assessed on approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese-origin merchandise, including some optical products, took effect Friday. The action, part of the Trump administration’s increase of China 301 duties from 10 percent to 25 percent, will impact companies importing Chinese-origin hand-held and stand magnifiers, eyeglass cases and cleaning solutions, as VMail previously reported. The tariff increase does not apply to shipments of affected product exported before May 10, 2019, and which will arrive in the U.S. after May 10 but before June 1, 2019, according to The Vision Council, some of whose members are impacted by the new regulations.

These previously exported, “on the water” shipments will be assessed at 10 percent if they are entered before June 1. If they are entered after June 1, then the goods will be subject to the 25 percent duty, The Vision Council said.

The Vision Council advised its members on Friday that President Trump still threatens to begin the process to assess 25 percent duties on all remaining products originating in China. “If the administration goes through with this threat, Chinese-origin products such as frames, lenses, sunglasses, reading glasses and low vision devices will be impacted,” the organization said in a statement to its members. It noted that the additional 25 percent China 301 duties are assessed in addition to any regular duties already assessed on imported products.