ITC Adds More Tariff Numbers to HTS for Solar Products
The International Trade Commission recently issued further changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule meant to implement Section 201 safeguard duties on solar cells. Changes to 10-digit statistical suffixes in the tariff schedule allow for reporting of photovoltaic generators and solar modules comprising lead-acid batteries attached to solar cells. The modifications, approved by the interagency “484(f)” Committee for Statistical Annotation of Tariff Schedules, took effect March 1.
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Among the added provisions for photovoltaic generators is new statistical note 9 to Chapter 85, which defines photovoltaic generators as “panels of photocells combined with other apparatus, e.g., storage batteries and electronic controls (voltage regulator, inverter, etc.) and panels or modules equipped with elements, however simple (for example, diodes to control the direction of the current), which supply the power directly to, for example, a motor, an electrolyser. In these devices, electricity is produced by means of solar cells which convert solar energy directly into electricity (photovoltaic conversion).” Former statistical note 9 is renumbered as statistical note 10.
Subheading 8501.31.80 for DC generators with an output not exceeding 750 W is subdivided into new statistical suffixes 8501.31.8010 for photovoltaic generators described in new statistical note 9, and 8501.31.8090 for other (non-photovoltaic) generators. Subheadings 8501.32.60, for DC generators with an output between 750 W and 75 kW, and 8501.61.00, for AC generators with an output not exceeding 75 kVA, are similarly subdivided into new statistical suffixes 8501.32.6010 and 8501.61.0010 for photovoltaic generators, and 8501.32.6090 and 8501.61.0090 for non-solar generators.
Separately, new subheading 8507.20.8010 is added for “other” lead-acid batteries (i.e., not used to start piston engines or as the principal source of power in electric vehicles) of a kind described in subheading 9903.45.25 (i.e., that incorporate solar cells covered by safeguard duties). Existing subheadings 8507.20.8030, 8507.20.8040, 8507.20.8060 and 8507.20.8090 for non-solar lead-acid batteries of various voltages are renumbered 8507.20.8031, 20.8041, 8507.20.8061 and 8507.20.8091 to reflect the addition.
Finally, subheading 8541.40.6020 for solar cells assembled into modules is corrected so that it now lists “W” as one of the required units of measure. The ITC had already added the unit of measure to the adjacent tariff provision for solar cells (see 1802200018). The safeguard duties on solar cells took effect Feb. 7 (see 1801240036).