Temporary 300,000 MT TRQ increase for lean beef trimmings under new HTS 9903.54.02 from 9/1–11/30/2026, first-come, first-served in 3 tranches.

1. What changed

The President issued a proclamation, effective September 1, 2026, temporarily increasing the U.S. beef tariff‑rate quota (TRQ) by 300,000 metric tons (MT) for lean beef trimmings from “other countries or areas.” This is implemented through modifications to Additional U.S. Note 3 to Chapter 2 and the creation of new Chapter 99 heading 9903.54.02 in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The additional quantity is in‑quota (no change to the in‑quota duty rate) and is administered on a first‑come, first‑served basis in three 30‑day tranches.

This action is separate from, and in addition to, the earlier 80,000 MT 2026 TRQ increase for Argentina established in Proclamation 11010.

2. Affected products

Products eligible for the temporary additional in‑quota quantity are:

• Lean beef trimmings of “other countries or areas” (i.e., not Argentina), described in the following HTSUS statistical reporting numbers:
• 0201.30.5091
• 0201.30.5097
• 0202.30.5091
• 0202.30.5097

These are lean beef trimmings in fresh/chilled (0201) and frozen (0202) forms, falling under the existing beef TRQ structure in Chapter 2.

The new TRQ access is administered via:

• HTSUS Chapter 99 heading 9903.54.02 (new), which specifically covers the additional 300,000 MT of lean beef trimmings from other countries or areas.

3. TRQ and duty treatment details

a) TRQ increase

• Aggregate in‑quota quantity increase: 300,000 MT
• Scope: Lean beef trimmings of “other countries or areas” only
• HTSUS statistical reporting numbers covered:
• 0201.30.5091
• 0201.30.5097
• 0202.30.5091
• 0202.30.5097
• Legal basis: Section 404 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3601) and section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2483)

b) Duty rates

• The Annex specifies “No change” in the General, Special, and Column 2 duty rates for heading 9903.54.02.
• Practical effect: Entries that qualify under the additional TRQ quantity will receive the existing in‑quota duty rate applicable to these beef products; there is no change to the numerical duty rate, only an expansion of the in‑quota volume.

c) Administration and allocation

• Total additional quantity: 300,000 MT
• Allocation: Entirely to “other countries or areas” (i.e., not country‑specific; global pool for all eligible non‑Argentina suppliers)
• Administration: First‑come, first‑served
• Tranche structure:
• Tranche 1: 100,000 MT
• Opens: September 1, 2026 (12:01 a.m. local port time)
• Closes: September 30, 2026
• Tranche 2: 100,000 MT
• Opens: October 1, 2026
• Closes: October 30, 2026
• Tranche 3: 100,000 MT
• Opens: October 31, 2026
• Closes: When the additional in‑quota quantity is filled or November 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time), whichever is earlier

Note: In any 30‑day period, entries under the specified HTSUS statistical reporting numbers and 9903.54.02 may not exceed 100,000 MT in aggregate.

4. Effective dates and duration

• Effective time for HTSUS modifications:
• Articles entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on September 1, 2026.

• TRQ availability window:
• From 12:01 a.m. local port time on September 1, 2026
• Through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 30, 2026

• Tranche timing (re‑stated for operational clarity):
• Tranche 1: 9/1/2026–9/30/2026 (100,000 MT cap)
• Tranche 2: 10/1/2026–10/30/2026 (100,000 MT cap)
• Tranche 3: 10/31/2026–11/30/2026 or until 300,000 MT total is exhausted (100,000 MT cap per 30‑day period)

• Relationship to prior action:
• The new 300,000 MT increase does not affect the separate 80,000 MT in‑quota increase for Argentina established in Proclamation 11010; that allocation remains in place.

• Potential early termination:
• The President may eliminate the remaining increased in‑quota quantity if imports under this increase are not being sold at a price at least 25% below the market price for lean beef trimmings, based on monitoring by USDA and USTR.

5. Required actions for importers, brokers, and compliance teams

a) Classification and HTSUS usage

• Continue to classify lean beef trimmings under the appropriate Chapter 2 HTSUS statistical reporting numbers:
• 0201.30.5091
• 0201.30.5097
• 0202.30.5091
• 0202.30.5097
• For entries seeking to use the additional in‑quota TRQ quantity during the specified period, ensure that:
• The new Chapter 99 heading 9903.54.02 is declared in addition to the Chapter 2 classification, in accordance with CBP implementation guidance.

b) TRQ management and timing

• Closely monitor:
• CBP quota bulletins and the CBP Quota page for real‑time fill status of heading 9903.54.02.
• The opening times and dates of each tranche to time entries for maximum access to in‑quota quantities.
• Coordinate with logistics and suppliers to:
• Schedule arrivals and entry filings to align with tranche openings.
• Avoid missing in‑quota access due to late arrival or delayed entry filing.

c) Country of origin and eligibility

• Confirm that product origin is an eligible “other country or area” (i.e., not Argentina for this specific 300,000 MT allocation; Argentina has its own separate TRQ increase under Proclamation 11010).
• Ensure all sanitary, phytosanitary, and other admissibility requirements (e.g., USDA/APHIS, FSIS) are met; this TRQ change does not waive any other import requirements.

d) Internal systems and documentation

• Update internal classification databases and broker instructions to include:
• New heading 9903.54.02 and its conditions of use.
• The applicable time window (9/1/2026–11/30/2026) and tranche caps.
• Ensure commercial invoices and packing lists clearly describe the product as lean beef trimmings consistent with the covered HTSUS statistical reporting numbers.
• Maintain documentation supporting:
• Product description and composition (to substantiate classification as lean beef trimmings).
• Country of origin.

e) Pricing and commercial considerations

• Be aware that USDA and USTR will monitor whether imports under the increased TRQ are being sold at a price 25% below the market price for lean beef trimmings.
• Importers should:
• Track sales prices and market benchmarks to anticipate any potential policy change or early termination.
• Consider contractual provisions addressing the risk of TRQ exhaustion or early termination (e.g., duty contingency clauses).

f) Broker and filer guidance

• Brokers should:
• Implement system flags to prompt use of 9903.54.02 for eligible entries during the effective period.
• Verify quota availability at time of entry summary filing.
• Coordinate with CBP on any operational adjustments or port‑specific instructions issued under this proclamation.

6. Agency roles and ongoing monitoring

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP):
• Responsible for administering the TRQ on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
• Authorized to take operational measures to implement and enforce the proclamation, including quota tracking and system updates.

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):
• Will continue to monitor domestic supply of lean beef trimmings and directly competitive or substitutable products.
• Will advise the Administration on supply, demand, and pricing, and recommend further action if needed.

• Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR):
• May make additional HTSUS modifications via Federal Register notice if necessary to effectuate the proclamation, including technical or ministerial corrections to the Annex.
• Along with USDA, will monitor whether imports under the increased TRQ are being sold at least 25% below the market price for lean beef trimmings and may trigger a recommendation to terminate the increase if this condition is not met.

7. References and source documents

• Proclamation: “Further Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer,” August 26, 2026 (White House Presidential Actions).
• Annex (HTSUS modifications):
• PDF: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ANNEX_aedcee.pdf

Key HTSUS changes in the Annex:

• Additional U.S. Note 3 to Chapter 2:
• New subsection (c) establishing the additional 300,000 MT TRQ for lean beef trimmings of other countries or areas, specifying the time window and tranche administration.
• Chapter 99, Subchapter III:
• New heading 9903.54.02 covering the additional 300,000 MT of lean beef trimmings from other countries or areas, with no change to duty rates.
• New U.S. note 7(c) and 7(d) detailing the availability period and tranche administration.

8. Practical next steps for compliance teams

• Immediately:
• Circulate this briefing to sourcing, logistics, and sales teams involved in beef imports.
• Confirm which suppliers and shipments can qualify under HTSUS 0201.30.5091, 0201.30.5097, 0202.30.5091, and 0202.30.5097 from eligible “other countries or areas.”

• Before September 1, 2026:
• Update ERP and broker instructions to include 9903.54.02 and the relevant time window.
• Align shipment schedules to target tranche openings.

• During September–November 2026:
• Monitor CBP quota status and adjust entry timing to secure in‑quota treatment.
• Track pricing to anticipate any policy adjustments.

• After November 30, 2026 (or earlier if the increase is terminated):
• Revert to standard TRQ management for beef without the additional 300,000 MT allocation under 9903.54.02.
• Review import performance and cost savings achieved under the temporary TRQ expansion.