ITC Posts Updated 2015 Tariff Schedule; Changes Took Effect Jan. 29
The International Trade Commission recently posted the Basic Edition of the 2015 Harmonized Tariff Schedule, effective Jan. 29 (here). Changes to the preliminary edition of Jan. 1 include moving some tariff provisions for chemicals into different headings, creating new size-based categories for certain types of photographic film, and adding new language that provides for classification of infrared video game console controllers. This update implements modifications to the tariff schedule in Annex II to Presidential Proclamation 9223 (here) that did not take effect on Jan. 1. Highlights of the changes are as follows:
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Chemicals. The provision for 1,6-hexanediol bis (3,5-dibutyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate) is removed from subheading 2918.99.0500 for “other aromatic carboxylic acids with additional oxygen function.” New subheading 2918.29.0600 is added for 1,6-hexanediol bis (3,5-dibutyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate) so that the chemical is now classified under the heading for “other Carboxylic acids with phenol function but without other oxygen function.”
Provisions for "4,4'-Methylenebis (3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline) and 4,4'-Methylenebis(2,6-diisopropylaniline) are removed from subheading 2921.42.3600 for “aniline derivatives and their salts,” and are instead added to subheading 2921.59.17 for “other aromatic polyamines.”
Subheading 2933.99.8700 for hexamethylenetetramine is deleted from the residual category for “other heterocyclic compounds.” A new subheading 2933.69.5000 is added for hexamethylenetetramine under the category for “other heterocyclic compounds containing an unfused triazine ring.”
Photographic film. Subheadings 3702.91 through 3702.95 for “other” photographic film in rolls and instant print film in rolls (i.e., not for x-ray, not without perforations, not for color photography) are deleted. In their place, new size categories are added in subheading 3702.96.0000 (width not exceeding 35mm and length not exceeding 30 meters), 3702.97.0000 (width not exceeding 35mm and length exceeding 30 meters), and 3702.98.0000 (width exceeding 35mm).
Video game controllers. Subheading 8543.70.9200 is renumbered as 8543.70.9300, and a new provision is added for “video game console controllers which use infrared transmissions to operate or access the various functions and capabilities of the console.” (NOTE: The ITC did not make a concurrent change to Additional U.S. Note 11 to Chapter 85 to account for the renumbering.)
(A full list of changes in the 2015 edition of the HTS, including those implemented on Jan. 1 and changes that take effect Jan. 29, is available (here).)