The Vision Council Guides the Optical Industry Through New Section 301 Tariffs Affecting 60 Trading Partners

Wednesday, August 5 2026 | 11 h 17 min | News

The Vision Council is helping optical industry members navigate a significant shift in U.S. trade policy following the expiration of Section 122 tariffs on July 24. With those duties lifted, the U.S. administration has introduced new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, targeting 60 economies over alleged forced‑labor violations — including many of the industry’s largest sourcing markets.

According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the new duties vary by country and will affect imports of frames, sunglasses, lens components and other optical products. Rick Van Arnam, Regulatory Affairs Counsel for The Vision Council, notes that the new tariff structure adds “another layer of complexity” for companies already adapting to evolving trade rules. The organization is working to help members understand applicable rates and potential exemptions.

New Duty Rates Affecting Key Optical Supply Chains

The new Section 301 duties range from 10% to 12.5%, depending on the country of origin. China, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia — all major eyewear‑sourcing markets — now face a 12.5% duty in addition to existing tariffs. India and Indonesia face a 10% duty, while the European Union, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland receive capped treatment that limits the combined rate.

Countries not listed in USTR’s determinations are not subject to the new duties.

The Vision Council encourages members to use its Tariff Dashboard to model cost impacts based on their product mix.

Exemptions and Transition Rules

A narrow in‑transit exception applies to goods loaded before the July 24 deadline and arriving by July 28. Products qualifying under USMCA rules remain exempt, and certain Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes are excluded — though none of the traditional eyewear‑related codes qualify.

Additional exemptions exist for the UK, EU and Switzerland, but none are expected to affect eyewear.

Stacking Tariffs on Chinese-Origin Goods

The new 12.5% duty on Chinese imports does not replace existing Section 301 tariffs already applied to most Chinese‑origin merchandise. As a result, The Vision Council advises members to prepare for the two duties to stack — 7.5% or 25% depending on the product category, plus the new 12.5%.

Other Tariff Actions Impacting the Industry

A separate 25% Section 301 duty on certain Brazilian goods took effect July 22 and will apply to optical products and related manufacturing equipment. A proposed 50% penalty on certain Canadian goods has not yet taken effect, and no optical products are currently included.

USTR is also investigating excess production capacity in more than a dozen countries, which may lead to a second round of Section 301 tariffs. The Vision Council will provide updates as details emerge.

“Between these latest 301 tariffs, the stacking China tariffs, the Brazil and Canada actions, and the excess‑capacity investigation, there’s a lot in motion at once,” said Omar Elkhatib, Director of Government Relations at The Vision Council. The organization is prioritizing developments most likely to affect optical imports and will continue to share updates as USTR releases new information.