9903.05.20 Explained: Algeria Section 301 Forced Labor, 12.5% Duty

Key Points

• HTS 9903.05.20 imposes a 12.5 percent additional ad valorem duty on all Chapter 1-97 products of Algeria under the Section 301 Forced Labor program, effective July 24, 2026, with no announced end date.
• The legal foundation is the USTR Section 301 FLIP final action dated July 23, 2026, implemented through U.S. note 52 of Chapter 99 and announced via CSMS 69326983.
• Country scope is identified by ISO country code DZ (Algeria); there are no product exclusions within Chapter 1-97 as the facts show.
• The 9903.05.20 line is reported alongside the regular Chapter 1-97 classification on each entry, not as a replacement for it.
• Codes 9903.05.01 through 9903.05.09 are a separate program (Section 301 Brazil); do not confuse those with this Algeria action.

On this page

1. What this code is and who must care
2. Legal authority and program background
3. Rate and effective window
4. Product and country scope
5. How 9903.05.20 stacks with other duties
6. How to report this code on an entry
7. What importers should do
8. Key references

The links in this article go to the primary documents: the USTR and CBP guidance, the official tariff schedule, and the CSMS message itself. Read the source.

HTS 9903.05.20 is a Chapter 99 overlay code that adds a 12.5 percent additional ad valorem duty to all products of Algeria entering the United States, effective July 24, 2026. It was created under the Section 301 Forced Labor Incentive Program (FLIP) final action announced by USTR on July 23, 2026, and is governed by U.S. note 52 of Chapter 99. Any importer bringing goods of Algerian origin into the United States under any Chapter 1-97 classification must report this code and pay the additional duty as of that date.

What this code is and who must care

Chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) is a special chapter used to implement temporary or program-specific duty modifications without altering the permanent Chapter 1-97 schedule. The code 9903.05.20 sits within the Section 301 Forced Labor country headings, which run from 9903.05.20 through 9903.05.84. Each heading in that range targets a specific country or group of countries.

If your goods are manufactured in, grown in, or otherwise originate in Algeria, this code applies to you as of July 24, 2026. That covers manufacturers, trading companies, and their customs brokers filing entries for Algerian-origin merchandise, regardless of whether the goods were shipped before or after that date if they were entered on or after it. Confirm exact entry-date rules with the current HTSUS and your broker.

Important distinction: Codes 9903.05.01 through 9903.05.09 are a separate Section 301 action targeting Brazil. They are in a different block and have no bearing on the Algeria action under 9903.05.20. Do not cross-apply rates or notes between those blocks.

Legal authority and program background

The Section 301 Forced Labor Incentive Program (FLIP) allows USTR to impose additional duties on goods from countries where forced labor practices have been identified as an unfair trade practice affecting U.S. commerce. The specific authority for this action is the USTR Section 301 FLIP final action dated July 23, 2026. The duty modification is implemented through U.S. note 52 of Chapter 99, which governs the entire 9903.05.20 through 9903.05.84 country heading range. CBP announced the operational implementation via CSMS 69326983.

As of August 2026, these are the only legal authorities confirmed in the facts for this code. Do not cite other document numbers or proclamation numbers for this action; they do not appear in the source record for 9903.05.20.

Rate and effective window

The rate is 12.5 percent ad valorem, additional to all other applicable duties. This rate took effect on July 24, 2026, the day after the USTR final action date. There is no announced end date as of August 29, 2026. The rate will remain in effect until USTR publishes a modification or termination, so importers should monitor USTR and CBP channels for any future changes.

Because there is no announced end date, there is no refund or correction posture to describe at this time. If the program is later modified or terminated, entries made during the effective window may or may not be subject to reliquidation; confirm that scenario with your broker at the time of any future change.

Product and country scope

Country

9903.05.20 applies to products of Algeria, identified by ISO country code DZ. Origin is determined under the standard country-of-origin rules applicable to the base Chapter 1-97 classification. If your goods have a complex supply chain involving Algeria, confirm origin determination with a licensed broker or trade attorney before assuming this code does or does not apply.

Products

The scope is all Chapter 1-97 products of Algeria. U.S. note 52(a) does not carve out specific HTS headings or product categories from 9903.05.20. Every commodity classification from Chapter 1 through Chapter 97 that originates in Algeria is subject to the 12.5 percent additional duty as of July 24, 2026. There are no product exclusions reflected in the facts for this code. If you believe a specific product may be excluded, verify against the current HTSUS and U.S. note 52 directly.

How 9903.05.20 stacks with other duties

The 12.5 percent is additional, meaning it stacks on top of, not in place of, any other applicable duties. The full duty calculation for an Algerian-origin entry will typically include:

• The Column 1 (MFN/NTR) rate for the Chapter 1-97 classification, or Column 2 if applicable
• Any applicable antidumping (AD) or countervailing (CVD) duties on the specific product
• Any other Chapter 99 overlay duties that apply to the product category (for example, Section 232 or Section 201 actions)
• The 9903.05.20 additional 12.5 percent

The facts block does not state that 9903.05.20 is MFN-capped for Algeria, unlike some other country headings in the 9903.05.20-through-9903.05.84 range. Verify the current note text at hts.usitc.gov to confirm no cap applies to your specific entry before filing. For guidance on how multiple Chapter 99 codes appear together on an entry, see CBP Updates ACE HTS Reporting Order for Chapter 98 and 99 Classifications.

How to report this code on an entry

Chapter 99 classification codes are reported in addition to the base Chapter 1-97 HTS number, not as a replacement. A typical line item on an ACE entry for Algerian goods will carry both the substantive classification (for example, a Chapter 39 plastics heading) and 9903.05.20 as a separate HTS line. CBP's CSMS 69326983 provides the operational instructions for how ACE should receive and process this code.

Brokers should ensure that ACE entry summaries filed on or after July 24, 2026, for Algerian-origin goods include 9903.05.20 on every applicable line. Omitting the code will result in an underpayment of duties and potential CBP inquiry. Use our duty calculator to model the stacked duty impact before filing.

What importers should do

• Audit open purchase orders and shipments: Identify all Algerian-origin goods on or in transit as of July 24, 2026, and calculate the additional 12.5 percent duty exposure using the landed-cost value of each shipment.
• Update your classification and entry templates: Instruct your broker to add 9903.05.20 to every Chapter 1-97 line for Algerian-origin merchandise in ACE, effective for all entries filed on or after July 24, 2026.
• Monitor for program changes: Because there is no announced end date, subscribe to USTR and CBP CSMS notifications so you are alerted if the rate is modified, suspended, or terminated.
• Verify the current HTSUS text: Confirm U.S. note 52 language and any product exclusions directly in the official HTSUS before every entry cycle, as amendments can take effect quickly.

Key references

• Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (hts.usitc.gov) - Official HTSUS including Chapter 99 and U.S. note 52
• CBP CSMS search page (cbp.gov) - Find CSMS 69326983 for operational ACE implementation guidance on 9903.05.20
• USTR (ustr.gov) - USTR Section 301 FLIP final action, July 23, 2026, the legal basis for this duty
• Federal Register (federalregister.gov) - Search for USTR Section 301 FLIP Federal Register notices
• CBP Updates ACE HTS Reporting Order for Chapter 98 and 99 Classifications - How to report Chapter 99 overlay codes alongside base classifications in ACE
• 2026 Tariff Code Overview - Summary of major 2026 Chapter 99 tariff code changes for importers