The International Trade Commission (ITC) has instituted an investigation (No. 1205-6) on proposed modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTS), pursuant to 19 USC 3005.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a reference manual that provides duty rates for almost every item that exists. It is a system of classifying and taxing all goods imported into the United States. The HTS is based on the international Harmonized System, which is a global standard for naming and describing trade products, and consists of a hierarchical structure that assigns a specific code and rate to each type of merchandise for duty, quota, and statistical purposes. The HTS was made effective on January 1, 1989, replacing the former Tariff Schedules of the United States. It is maintained by the U.S. International Trade Commission, but the Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the HTS.
On September 7, 2004, the President signed Proclamation 7808 in order to make various changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) with respect to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Acceleration Act of 2004 (AGOA III), the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), etc.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice requesting comments on a list of goods whose duties may be increased in the event the U.S. cannot reach agreement with the European Union (EU) for adequate compensation owed under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules as a result of EU enlargement and EU changes to its rice import regime.
On September 7, 2004, President Bush signed Proclamation 7808 which makes various changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) with respect to: the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Acceleration Act of 2004 (AGOA III), the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an updated (August 26, 2004) Industry Guidance which lists, and provides a written description for, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers that are flagged in U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) entry system with imported food Prior Notice FD3 or FD4 indicators.
CBP Issues Proposed Interpretive Rule on Classification of Baseball-Style Caps with Ornamental Braid
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a proposed interpretive rule regarding the classification of baseball-style caps with ornamental braid. Comments on this proposed interpretive rule are due by October 26, 2004.
| Eff 09/07/04 | FR Pub 08/27/04 |
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has scheduled the next Customs Broker License Examination for Monday, October 4, 2004.
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a preliminary negative countervailing (CV) duty determination on live swine from Canada finding that countervailable subsidies are not being provided to producers or exporters of live swine from Canada.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted a notice to its Web site stating that effective August 20, 2004, certain wall hangings of wool or fine animal hair, not knitted or crocheted (HTS 6304.99.10) and certain pillow covers of wool or fine animal hair (HTS 6304.99.40) that are entered or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after August 20, 2004 are eligible for Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) duty-free treatment provided that the proper GSP requirements are met.