Fujifilm receives tariff exclusions from DOC on aluminium offset printing plates

FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division has announced that it has received tariff exclusions on its aluminium offset printing plates. It is the only major printing plate manufacturer in the U.S. to be excluded from tariffs.

Fujifilm has argued actively over the unfair inclusion of aluminium offset printing plates under import tariffs to convince the Federal Government that it is an unfair burden on the graphic arts industry. The company has received exclusions on the majority of the 147 Exclusion Requests it filed a few months ago.

“Although the current Federal Government shutdown prevents Fujifilm from receiving further updates as to the status of our remaining Exclusion Requests and the process, timing and amount of refunds Fujifilm can expect on tariffs paid since June 1, 2018, Fujifilm remains committed to crediting plate customer accounts for every dollar of tariff tax that the Commerce Department returns to Fujifilm,” said Todd Zimmerman, Division President, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division.

The FUJIFILM Manufacturing U.S.A. facility in Greenwood, South Carolina has been providing jobs and supporting local communities.  More than 200 Fujifilm associates contribute to the overall printing plate manufacturing process. They import the raw material aluminium for the specific purpose and engineer 13 different types of plates. The nationwide warehouse distribution system utilized by Fujifilm minimizes handling to avoid potential damage that can be caused by using overseas container shipments.

The company said they had to challenge the tariffs to keep the interest of their customers and they are happy to see the outcome.

“I sincerely appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding as we worked through this difficult situation. We will provide updates on this process as soon as we receive further information from our contacts in the Commerce Department,” Zimmerman added.

The DOC has granted exclusion until December 2019 on condition that they can be revoked by the department at any time on valid grounds.