Proclamation Amends HTS for Haiti HELP, Bahrain FTA, Etc.
On November 1, 2010, President Obama issued Proclamation 8596, which amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement Haiti HELP, adjust the tariff classification rules under the U.S.-Bahrain free trade agreement (FTA), and make certain technical corrections.
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This is Part I of a multi-part series of summaries of the Proclamation, and provides an overview of the document. See future issues for additional summaries.
Haiti HELP
The proclamation amends the HTS to implement the preferential tariff treatment for apparel and other articles imported directly from Haiti or the Dominican Republic, as provided for by the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act. These modifications include two new duty-free tariff numbers (9820.61.45 for apparel and 9820.63.05 for made-ups), and add or modify a number of subchapter notes.
The HELP tariff amendments are effective for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after November 1, 2010.
Bahrain FTA
Proclamation 8596 also contains modifications to HTS General Note 30 to adjust the U.S.-Bahrain FTA tariff classification rules (TCRs) for the Word Customs Organization (WCO)-recommended changes that were implemented on February 3, 2007.
These modifications mostly affect fabrics and apparel, and are effective for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after the thirtieth day after November 4, 2010.
Technical Corrections
The proclamation also makes technical corrections to HTS General Note 29, Chapter 98, and General Note 12, and are effective on various dates.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 10/22/10 news, 10102214, for BP summary announcing that this Proclamation was pending signature.)