The World Customs Organization is considering changes to the tariff nomenclature that underlies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. and over 200 other country tariff schedules around the world to potentially make classification easier and allow for more detail and accuracy in the identification of goods.
The World Customs Organization's Harmonized System Committee will extend its customary five-year review cycle by an additional year, the WCO said in a press release on Oct. 12. This means that the next version of the Harmonized System will be implemented on Jan. 1, 2028.
The U.S. candidate for World Customs Organization secretary general was elected to the post June 24. Ian Saunders, whose five-year term will begin Jan. 1, is currently deputy assistant secretary at the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration. The secretary-general is responsible for "overseeing the day-to-day activities of the WCO Secretariat," the WCO said in a news release. Saunders has over 20 years in customs and more than 30 years' experience in international relations, CBP and the WCO said.
International Trade Administration Deputy Assistant Secretary Ian Saunders will be the U.S. nominee to become the next secretary general of the World Customs Organization. Saunders would have to win the support of a majority of countries at the WCO to become the secretary general. No American has led the organization in more than a dozen years. “Ian Saunders is a deeply respected member of the global customs community who represents the very best of America’s public service,” CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus said in a news release. “Ian’s customs and trade expertise, strategic thinking, and diplomatic acumen make him uniquely suited to lead the WCO in this time of rapid global change.”
The World Customs Organization recently announced that the final 2022 edition of the Harmonized System tariff nomenclature is now available on its website. The new edition, which replaces the 2017 version, will take effect Jan. 1, though WCO HS Convention members must implement the changes in their own tariff schedules.
The World Customs Organization issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The World Customs Organization issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The World Customs Organization issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The World Customs Organization issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The World Customs Organization issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters: