Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act

This bill aims to make school supplies and educational materials more affordable by limiting the duties that can be imposed on them. It establishes that, with certain exceptions, no duty on these items may exceed the rate that was in effect on January 19, 2025 . This measure is designed to prevent future tariff increases on essential goods, thereby reducing financial burdens on students, families, teachers, and schools. The bill defines covered items in two ways: those designated for elementary or secondary school classrooms by the Secretary of Commerce, and specific items identified by their Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes. These HTS categories include common items such as office or school supplies , backpacks and lunchboxes , notebooks , and various writing instruments . However, duties imposed under anti-dumping, countervailing duty, or safeguard measures are specifically excluded from this limitation. The Secretary of Commerce must also submit a report to Congress every 180 days, detailing the items exempt from duties and those newly designated.