What this does: This order cancels a previous customs duty exemption (called a tariff concession) for industrial equipment used to extract and intake seawater. The exemption (Order 0604744) allowed certain machinery to be imported without paying import taxes. As of 27 July 2011, that benefit ends.
Who is affected: Importers of "seawater extraction and intake plant" — essentially the pumps, pipes, valves, screens, macerators, chemical dosers, and control systems used in desalination plants or similar facilities that draw seawater.
Why it matters: If you import this equipment now, you must pay standard customs duties under tariff classification 8413.70.90. This increases costs for companies building or maintaining seawater processing facilities, as they can no longer bring in this equipment duty-free.