The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping duty investigations on large diameter welded pipe from Canada (A-122-863), Greece (A-484-803), China (A-570-077), India (A-533-881), South Korea (A-580-897) and Turkey (A-489-833), and its recently initiated countervailing duty investigations on large diameter welded pipe from China (C-570-078), India (C-533-882), South Korea (C-580-898) and Turkey (C-489-834).
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.
CBP is already considering revisions to its in-bond regulations following the changes made in a final rule on the same regulations issued in September (see 1709270027), Jim Swanson, CBP director-cargo and conveyance security and controls, said during the Feb. 13 National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones legislative summit. "Even though we just published new in-bond regulations, for example, we really just papered over a lot of the cracks in that and listed it as an automated process," he said. CBP would like to "go back" and change the "artifacts of much older in-bond rules" to better spell out the rules and associated penalties, he said. "I've got the regulatory folks agreeing that we can begin that process."
CBP looks set to take a wide open approach to electronic filing of Section 321 entries, with a “range of options” that allow filers to “do whatever works best for their business model,” said Michael Mullen, executive director of the Express Association of America, in an interview. Clearance off manifest would likely continue, using an item descriptor to identify cargo, with electronic filing expanded to other modes. CBP will also likely allow Section 321 entries in the Automated Broker Interface using the 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule number, Mullen said.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet Feb. 28 in Miami, CBP said in a notice.
CBP doesn't expect the Treasury Department to approve proposed regulations for coming changes to drawback procedures before the Feb. 24 effective date, a CBP spokesman said by email. The changes are the result of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, which allowed for two years of preparation before the drawback overhaul became effective. "CBP will, however, accept TFTEA drawback claims in" ACE, "with processing to occur once the regulations are finalized," the spokesman said. CBP has said it will only allow accelerated payment for TFTEA drawback claims after it issues its final rule (see 1801260036).
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The use of the same Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading upon export from and import into the U.S. is of "little importance" to CBP when considering eligibility of duty exemptions for goods returned to the U.S. after repairs or alterations, CBP said in a Jan. 2 ruling. CBP's ruling came in response to a request from FedEx Trade Networks, Transport and Brokerage (Canada) about trucks outfitted with document shredders. A Canadian shredding company, Shred-Tech, has a U.S. customer of that would like to purchase shredding trucks from Shred-Tech, FTN told CBP.
A coalition of domestic manufacturers filed a petition on Jan. 25 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission, requesting new antidumping and countervailing duties on cast iron soil pipe from China. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations on cast iron soil pipe that could eventually result in the assessment of AD/CV duties. The coalition that requested the duties, known as the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, includes as individual members AB&I Foundry, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, and Tyler Pipe.
Coloring kits meant for use with pretend trees made out of snow don't meet the legal requirements for classification as a festive article, CBP said in a Nov. 6 ruling. The agency found in HQ H287723 that while the kits can be used to create Christmas trees made out of snow, use of the kits also wouldn't be "aberrant" outside of the Christmas season. The ruling came in response to a protest and request for further review from Target General Merchandise through the Center of Excellence and Expertise for Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising.
A group of domestic manufacturers filed a petition on Jan. 17 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping duties on large diameter welded steel pipe products from Canada, Greece, India, China, South Korea and Turkey, and new countervailing duties on large diameter welded steel pipe products from China, India, South Korea and Turkey. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations on large diameter welded pipe that could eventually result in the assessment of AD/CV duties. The petition was filed by Berg Steel Pipe Corp., Berg Spiral Pipe Corp., Dura-Bond Industries, Stupp Corporation, American Cast Iron Pipe Company and Skyline Steel.