House Bill Would Raise Duty Rates on Sponges, Steel Cleaning Pads

A recently introduced bill would raise the duty rate for "polyurethane sponges" in Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading 3821.13.50 and "steel wool cleaning pads" in subheading 7323.10.00. The duty rate would increase to 6.5 percent (from 4.2 percent) for the sponges and to 20 percent (from free) for the cleaning pads. The bill would also add special rates of duty for the pads to continue duty free entry for several free trade agreements. The Creating Manufacturing Jobs and Promoting Fair Trade Act (HR-734) was introduced Feb. 14 by Reps. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.).