On July 31, 2026, the United States Government issued a Presidential Proclamation establishing a safeguard measure on imports of quartz surface products (QSP), classified under the following tariff subheadings: 6810.99.0020, 6810.99.0040 and 7020.00.6000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The measure is adopted under Section 203 of the Trade Act of 1974, following an investigation by the International Trade Commission (ITC), whose report was transmitted to the President on May 18, 2026, and supplemented on July 2, 2026, which concluded that the increase in imports constitutes a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry.
The safeguard consists of a tariff-rate quota with a validity of four years, applicable to goods entering or leaving a warehouse for consumption from from August 15, 2026For the first year, a total quota of 13.006.424 square meters (m2) was set, distributed in four quarters of 3.251.606 m2 each, with the possibility of carrying over unused balances to the following quarter. The quota increases progressively to 14.771.584 m2 in the second year, 15.236.100 m2 in the third, and 15.700.612 m2 in the fourth.
In terms of tariffs, imports within the quota (new heading 9903.45.30) will pay 25% the first year, 23% the second, 21% the third, and 19% the fourthThose that exceed the quota (item 9903.45.31) will pay 50%, 49%, 48% and 47%These duties are cumulative and are in addition to the ordinary tariffs of Chapters 68 and 70, as well as any applicable antidumping or countervailing duties. Goods subject to this measure entering U.S. free trade zones on or after August 15, 2026, must be admitted under privileged foreign status.
The scope of the measure is broad: it covers slabs and surfaces made with a mixture in which silica is the predominant material by weight, along with a resin binder, including countertops, backsplashes, vanity tops, flooring, wall coverings, veneers, and tiles, regardless of size, thickness, finish, or whether they are assembled with non-covered goods. It also covers products that have been cut, polished, or finished in a third country. Surfaces made of stone extracted from a quarry are excluded., such as granite, marble, soapstone and quartzite.
Colombia was expressly excluded from the safeguardBased on the ITC's finding that imports originating in Colombia do not constitute a substantial cause of serious injury, these goods are therefore subject to the classification of the goods as such. They do not pay the tariffs for the measureThe same exclusion applies to Canada and Mexico (USMCA), Australia, the CAFTA-DR countries, Israel, South Korea, Panama, Peru, Singapore, CBERA beneficiaries, and a list of developing countries, including Ecuador and Jordan.
However, the exclusion is not unconditional; the Proclamation empowers the (USTR) to extend the safeguard to any excluded country in which a sudden increase in imports (surge) is identified, as well as to take further action against circumvention practices. Developing countries lose the benefit if their share of total imports of the product exceeds 3%, or if the combined share of countries below 3% exceeds 9%. Additionally, adjustments resulting from consultations with WTO members under Article 12.3 of the Agreement on Safeguards could be introduced within 30 days of the Proclamation and implemented within 40 days.
In practice, the measure opens a competitive window for Colombian quartz surface exporters compared to non-exempt suppliers, who will face tariffs of between 25% and, after the TRQ (Tariff Reduction Quota), 50%. At the same time, this advantage increases the risk of triangulation and accelerated growth in shipments from Colombia, which could trigger the surge clause. Exporters are advised Verify the tariff classification and origin of your goods, and keep production and traceability records.and monitor publications in the Federal Register, given that the USTR is authorized to modify Note 41 of the Annex and the list of exempted countries at any time during the term of the measure.
Source:
Extraordinary Bulletin: Trade Policy and Defense Unit, August 4, 2026
