Universities Get Duty-Free Pass for Extreme Science Gear
Published Date: 2/27/2025
Notice
Summary
Arizona State University and the University of Colorado got the green light to bring in some super high-tech scientific gear from overseas without paying import taxes. These special instruments, not made in the U.S., will help researchers study materials under extreme conditions and explore new laser science. This means faster, cooler discoveries for scientists nationwide, with no extra costs slowing them down.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
ASU approved for duty-free high-pressure rig
Arizona State University (Docket 24-028) received approval to import an Ultra High Pressure Multi-Anvil apparatus with DIA module from Max Voggenreiter GmbH (Germany) duty-free. The decision (dated February 21, 2025) states no U.S.-made instrument of equivalent scientific value was known to be manufactured at the time of order.
Univ. of Colorado duty-free thulium laser
The University of Colorado (Docket 24-034) was approved to import a Thulium-doped fiber laser (center wavelength 502.88 nm, 1 W output) from Shanghai Precilasers Technology Co., Ltd. (China) duty-free. The application was approved after a January 28, 2025 notice requesting comments received none.
Univ. of Colorado duty-free soft X-ray camera
The University of Colorado (Docket 24-035) was approved to import a Soft X-ray scientific CMOS camera from Fuzhou Tucsen Photonics, Ltd. (China) duty-free for low-dose soft X-ray ptychographic imaging of biological samples.
Cornell duty-free fiber laser for trapped ions
Cornell University (Docket 24-036) was approved to import a Narrow Linewidth Fiber Laser from Shanghai Precilasers Technology Co., Ltd. (China) duty-free to trap and control chains of singly ionized barium atoms. Graduate students in the Katz Lab will use the lasers as part of their training.
Tulane duty-free multi-collector mass spectrometer
Tulane University (Docket 24-037) was approved to import a Multi-collector high resolution inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer with collision cell from Nu Instruments (United Kingdom) duty-free to support Earth and Environmental Sciences research and demonstrations for high-level analytical chemistry classes.
Harvard duty-free lasers for precision molecule studies
Harvard University (Docket 24-038) was approved to import Narrow linewidth lasers (2 units) from Shanghai Precilasers Technology Co., Ltd. (China) duty-free for research using ultracold Strontium monohydroxide (SrOH) molecules for precision measurements such as the electron Electric Dipole Moment (eEDM).
Univ. of Chicago duty-free telescope mirror stand
The University of Chicago (Docket 24-039) was approved to import a Telescope Mirror Test Stand from Carpenteria Colombo Ferruccio SRL (Italy) duty-free to study thermal and gravitational deformation of a 5.5 meter aluminum mirror for a telescope meant to study primordial gravitational waves.
UCSB duty-free low-noise laser amplifier
University of California, Santa Barbara (Docket 24-040) was approved to import a Low Noise Laser Amplifier (1064 nm, 100 W output) from Shanghai Precilaser Technology Co., Ltd. (China) duty-free to seed and amplify lasers for ultracold potassium-39 atom experiments.
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