9903.06.20: Jordan Section 301 Forced Labor Exemption

Key Points

• HTS 9903.06.20 is a claim or exemption heading, not a duty: it carries no additional charge of its own, stating only "the duty provided in the applicable subheading."
• The heading applies to articles that are the product of Jordan, as specified in subdivision (j)(13)(i) of U.S. Note 52 to Subchapter III of Chapter 99.
• Qualifying goods must be entered under this code alongside their regular Chapter 1-97 classification to obtain the Section 301 forced labor exemption benefit.
• Whether a specific product qualifies is determined by the scope language in U.S. Note 52(j)(13)(i); confirm the current note text in the official HTSUS before filing.
• As of September 30, 2026, the facts described here are current; verify the HTSUS for any subsequent amendments before entry.

On this page

1. What HTS 9903.06.20 is and who needs to care
2. Program background: Section 301 forced labor exemptions
3. Scope of the heading: Jordan and U.S. Note 52(j)(13)(i)
4. Rate and duty mechanics
5. How to claim the exemption on a CBP entry
6. Interaction with other tariff provisions
7. What importers should do
8. Key references

The links in this article go to primary documents: proclamations, Federal Register notices, and the official tariff schedule pages themselves. Read the source.

HTS 9903.06.20 is a Chapter 99 exemption heading that allows qualifying importers to claim relief from Section 301 forced labor duties on articles that are the product of Jordan, as defined in subdivision (j)(13)(i) of U.S. Note 52 to Subchapter III of Chapter 99. It carries no separate duty rate of its own; the rate remains "the duty provided in the applicable subheading," meaning the regular Chapter 1-97 rate still applies, but the Section 301 forced labor surcharge is removed or reduced for goods that meet the criteria. Importers sourcing from Jordan who believe their goods fall within the note's scope must affirmatively claim this heading on entry.

What HTS 9903.06.20 is and who needs to care

Any importer, customs broker, or trade attorney handling goods produced in Jordan that have been subject to Section 301 forced labor duties needs to understand this heading. If the product qualifies under the note, failing to claim 9903.06.20 means paying duties that may not legally be owed. Overclaiming it on ineligible goods creates a different problem: potential penalties and interest.

This heading sits in the 9903.06 block of Chapter 99, a series of Section 301 forced labor exemption codes organized by country. Parallel headings exist for other countries, including 9903.06.19 for Ecuador, 9903.06.17 for Indonesia, and 9903.06.15 for Taiwan. Each heading is country-specific and governed by its own subdivision of U.S. Note 52.

Program background: Section 301 forced labor exemptions

The broader Section 301 program imposes additional duties on imports from certain countries based on findings of unfair trade practices, including the use of forced labor in supply chains. The 9903.05.85-onward and 9903.06 block of headings were created to provide targeted exemptions for specific goods or categories from specific countries where the forced labor concern either does not apply to those goods or where an exception has been recognized.

These exemption headings are creature of U.S. Note 52 to Subchapter III of Chapter 99 of the HTSUS. The note's subdivisions define, country by country and sometimes product by product, exactly what is eligible. The legal authority and scope language live entirely within that note, so the note text itself is the controlling document. You can review the current HTSUS at hts.usitc.gov.

Scope of the heading: Jordan and U.S. Note 52(j)(13)(i)

The official heading text for 9903.06.20 reads: "Articles the product of Jordan, as provided for in subdivision (j)(13)(i) of U.S. note 52 to this subchapter."

Two conditions must both be satisfied for a shipment to qualify:

• Country of origin: The goods must be the product of Jordan. Country of origin is determined under CBP's standard rules; a Jordan label alone is not sufficient if the goods were substantially transformed elsewhere.
• Product scope: The goods must fall within the specific product description set out in U.S. Note 52(j)(13)(i). The facts block available as of September 30, 2026 does not reproduce the full subdivision text; confirm the exact product scope by reading Note 52(j)(13)(i) in the current HTSUS at hts.usitc.gov before filing.

If either condition is not met, the heading cannot be claimed. If you are uncertain whether your specific goods fall within the subdivision's language, confirm with a licensed customs broker or review the current HTSUS note directly.

Rate and duty mechanics

The HTSUS general column rate for 9903.06.20 is: "The duty provided in the applicable subheading."

This is the hallmark of an exemption or claim heading. It does not impose a new or additional rate. What it does is remove or reduce the Section 301 forced labor duty that would otherwise apply, leaving only the normal Chapter 1-97 duty (plus any other separately applicable duties, such as antidumping or countervailing duties) on the entry.

In practical terms, the difference between claiming and not claiming this heading can be significant. Section 301 rates can range from a few percentage points to well above 25 percent ad valorem on some product categories. If your goods qualify, that entire surcharge is at stake. For a practical sense of how those numbers compound with other charges, see our landed cost calculation guide.

How to claim the exemption on a CBP entry

Chapter 99 exemption and claim headings are entered on a CBP entry as a secondary classification line alongside the primary Chapter 1-97 HTS number that classifies the product. You do not replace the regular classification; you add 9903.06.20 as an additional line on the same entry to signal to CBP that the Section 301 forced labor exemption applies.

Your entry paperwork should clearly reflect:

• The underlying Chapter 1-97 HTS subheading for the product.
• 9903.06.20 as the Chapter 99 claim heading.
• Supporting documentation establishing Jordanian origin and product eligibility under Note 52(j)(13)(i).

CBP may request documentation at the time of entry or during a post-entry audit. Maintaining complete records, including supplier certifications, production records, and origin documentation, is essential. If you discover a missed claim or an error in a filed entry, a post-summary correction or protest may be available depending on timing. For context on CBP's approach to corrections and knowledge of errors, see Customs Prior Disclosure Timing: What CBP Knowledge Really Means. For more on penalty notices, see CBP Form 5955A: Penalty and Liquidated Damages Notices.

Interaction with other tariff provisions

Claiming 9903.06.20 removes or reduces the Section 301 forced labor duty. It does not affect, suspend, or replace any of the following, which continue to apply independently:

• Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) duties: The base rate from the Chapter 1-97 subheading still applies.
• Antidumping and countervailing duties: Any ADD or CVD orders covering the product remain in force. Confirm open orders via the CBP website. For background on ADD rate gaps, see Antidumping Cash Deposit Rate vs Assessment Rate: Managing the Gap.
• Other Section 301 actions: If a separate Section 301 action applies to the same goods that is not covered by this exemption, that duty may still be owed. Confirm the full duty stack for your specific subheading in the HTSUS.
• Other Chapter 99 headings: Other Chapter 99 provisions (such as Section 232 steel or aluminum tariffs) stack independently. Review your full classification picture for every applicable Chapter 99 heading. See our 2026 tariff code overview for context.

The interaction of multiple duty layers makes it critical to map the complete duty stack before calculating landed cost. Our duty calculator can help you model the combined effect.

What importers should do

• Verify product eligibility before filing: Read U.S. Note 52(j)(13)(i) in the current HTSUS at hts.usitc.gov and confirm that your specific goods, classified under their Chapter 1-97 subheading, fall within the subdivision's exact language.
• Confirm Jordanian origin documentation: Assemble manufacturer certifications, production records, and any other origin evidence before the entry is filed, not after CBP requests it.
• Audit prior entries: If you have imported qualifying Jordanian goods without claiming 9903.06.20, review those entries for potential refund opportunities via protest or post-summary correction within the applicable timeframes. Our guide on finding duty underpayments before CBP does outlines a practical audit approach.
• Map the full duty stack: Use the duty calculator to model MFN duties, any applicable ADD or CVD, and other Chapter 99 provisions alongside the 9903.06.20 exemption to arrive at your true landed cost.

Key references

• Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, hts.usitc.gov -- official HTSUS text, including Chapter 99 and U.S. Note 52 to Subchapter III, controlling authority for 9903.06.20 and subdivision (j)(13)(i).
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection, cbp.gov -- CBP guidance, CSMS messages, entry procedures, and ADD/CVD order information.
• Federal Register, federalregister.gov -- Federal Register notices implementing Section 301 actions and exemptions.
• White House, whitehouse.gov -- Presidential proclamations and executive orders relevant to Section 301 and trade actions.
• 9903.06.19: Ecuador Section 301 Forced Labor Exemption -- parallel exemption heading for Ecuador, same 9903.06 block.
• 9903.06.17: Indonesia Section 301 Forced Labor Exemption -- parallel exemption heading for Indonesia.
• How Do I Find Duty Underpayments Before CBP Does? -- practical audit guide for identifying unclaimed exemptions in prior entries.