ITC Considers Request to Add 700 Products to Pharmaceutical Appendix
The International Trade Commission has instituted a new investigation to provide information and advice on adding over 700 pharmaceutical products and chemical intermediates to the Pharmaceutical Appendix to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
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USTR Requests Expansion, Lists Products
The investigation was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative in a letter received May 28, 2010. The letter contains the list of the products that are proposed for addition to the Pharmaceutical Appendix. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 10031215, for BP summary on USTR’s request for comments on expanding the Appendix.)
Any Added Products Would Receive Duty-Free Treatment
Any pharmaceutical products added to the Pharmaceutical Appendix would receive duty-free treatment.
(The Pharmaceutical Appendix was created as part of the Uruguay Round Agreements and already covers approximately 9,500 products. The U.S. and 21 other major trading countries agreed during the Uruguay Round to eliminate duties on pharmaceuticals and to periodically conduct reviews to identify additional products to be covered by the initiative.)
Proposed Additions are Used Primarily for Production of Pharmaceuticals
The pharmaceutical products and chemical intermediates for which the Administration is proposing to eliminate duties are used primarily for the production of pharmaceuticals.
Comments Due by July 14; ITC to Submit Report by September 1
The ITC will not hold a public hearing in connection with this investigation. However, it seeks written input on these products from all interested parties. Written submissions should focus on the levels of exports and imports for the items included in this investigation and are due by 5:15 p.m. on July 14, 2010.
The ITC will submit its report to the USTR by September 1, 2010.
(Inv. No. 332-520, dated 06/09/10)