USTR sets 2026 TRQ volumes for Australian-origin beef and other goods under HTSUS 9822.04.xx, capping in-quota FTA duty treatment.
USTR issued a notice establishing 2026 tariff-rate quota (TRQ) quantities for Australian-origin goods under the U.S.-Australia FTA. It sets specific volume caps for beef safeguards (71,695 MT) and for HTSUS 9822.04.05, .10, .15, .20, .25, .30, .35, .40, .45, .50, and .65 (e.g., 25,497,000 liters under 9822.04.05; 2,790 MT under 9822.04.10). Within these TRQ limits, qualifying imports receive preferential FTA duty rates; above-quota volumes face higher MFN/safeguard duties. The quantities apply to entries from January 1 through December 31, 2026. Importers and brokers must monitor TRQ usage, ensure correct HTSUS and FTA claims, and plan 2026 volumes to stay within in-quota limits where preferential duty is expected.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has published the 2026 tariff-rate quota (TRQ) quantitative limits for certain Australian-origin goods imported into the United States under the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement (USAFTA). These TRQs determine how much product can enter at preferential FTA duty rates before higher out-of-quota or safeguard tariffs apply.
Effective for entries on or after January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, the notice sets:
- A beef safeguard quantity (under U.S. note 8 to subchapter XXII of chapter 98, HTSUS) of 71,695 metric tons. Within this volume, qualifying Australian-origin beef can receive FTA treatment; once exceeded, safeguard/MFN rates apply.
- TRQ quantities for specific USAFTA chapter 98 subheadings for originating goods of Australia:
- 9822.04.05: 25,497,000 liters
- 9822.04.10: 2,790 metric tons
- 9822.04.15: 186 metric tons
- 9822.04.20: 9,115 metric tons
- 9822.04.25: 5,099 metric tons
- 9822.04.30: 10,199 metric tons
- 9822.04.35: 9,751 metric tons
- 9822.04.40: 5,572 metric tons
- 9822.04.45: 1,395 metric tons
- 9822.04.50: 930 metric tons
- 9822.04.65: 1,393 metric tons
The document does not restate the specific duty rates, but under the USAFTA structure, entries within these quantitative limits are eligible for preferential FTA duty treatment when origin requirements under General Note 28 are met and the correct chapter 98 subheading is used. Once the TRQ limit for a given subheading or safeguard category is filled, additional imports in 2026 will be assessed at higher out-of-quota MFN or safeguard rates.
Impact for importers and brokers:
- These are immediately relevant for 2026 planning of U.S. imports of Australian beef and other agricultural/food products covered by HTSUS 9822.04.xx. Companies relying on FTA duty savings must align shipment volumes with the published TRQ ceilings.
- Customs brokers should ensure that entries claiming USAFTA preference for these products use the appropriate chapter 98 subheading (9822.04.05, .10, .15, .20, .25, .30, .35, .40, .45, .50, .65) and reference GN 28 origin criteria.
- Trade compliance teams should configure internal systems to track cumulative 2026 imports from Australia under each TRQ subheading and the beef safeguard quantity, and to flag when volumes approach the published limits.
- Commercial and sourcing teams should be advised that any 2026 imports exceeding these TRQ quantities will not benefit from in-quota FTA rates and should be costed at higher out-of-quota/MFN or safeguard duty levels.
In summary, this notice does not change HTS classifications but sets the 2026 quantitative thresholds that determine whether Australian-origin goods under specified HTSUS 9822.04.xx provisions receive preferential USAFTA duty treatment or face higher duties once the TRQs are filled.