The International Trade Commission released its sixth annual compilation of biweekly data on textile and apparel imports from China for 2008-2014 (here). The data in the report are shown on an annual and quarterly basis, by category and by Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) 10-digit numbers. It consists of a series of tables which provide Chinese textile and apparel import statistics, including: import value by category and HTS number; Chinese market share; quantity of imports from China; unit value of imports from China; unit value of imports from the world.
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.
Lawmakers introduced the following trade-related bills since International Trade Today's last legislative update:
The Commerce Department is seeking comment on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the U.S. during the period July 31 through Dec, 31, 2014 (here). Comments are due by May 26.
CBP said its Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1502 was created April 20, containing 1,843 ABI records and 388 harmonized tariff records. "Modifications include the addition of APHIS/LACEY ACT PGA (Participating Government Agency) indicators," it said in a CSMS message (here). "These PGA indicators are for future use relating to the PGA data set submissions associated with the APHIS/LACEY ACT program." Adjustments required for the verification of the 2015 Harmonized Tariff Schedule are also included, CBP said in a CSMS message. The modified records can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the CATAIR. Further information: Jennifer Keeling, Jennifer.Keeling@dhs.gov.
The State Department re-affirmed in a Federal Register notice the list of Cuban entrepreneurial imports the U.S. continues to ban, after publishing the initial list in February (see 1502170024). State again outlined the Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification that the U.S. prohibits (here). The banned HTS areas are as follows:
Lawmakers introduced the following trade-related bills since International Trade Today's last legislative update:
Footwear importers hope changes to the tariff schedule for athletic shoes get included in the package of trade legislation brewing on Capitol Hill, say trade association leadership. A recently requested modification to Chapter 64 of the HTS would result in substantial duty savings for importers of athletic shoes that include internal plastic membranes, such as trail runners and hiking shoes with Gore-Tex, they said. The changes require legislative action because they lack congressional authorization to affect duty rates, according to a government official. Recent movement on trade in Congress is the best opportunity in a decade for minor initiatives like tariff changes to make it into law, said Matt Priest, FDRA president.
Lawmakers introduced the following trade-related bills since International Trade Today's last legislative update:
Reps. Kenny Marchant, R-Texas, and Ron Kind, D-Wis., re-introduced legislation on April 14 to scale back CBP authority to impose duties on bulk cargo residue. The Residue Entries and Streamlining Act, HR-1773, would amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to exempt residue from duty. The bill describes residue as material that remains in an instrument of international trade after bulk cargo is removed, but only material “with a quantity, by weight or volume, not exceeding seven percent of the bulk cargo, and with no or de minimis value.”
Congress should pass legislation to modernize the treatment of footwear in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule so that new and innovative types of athletic shoes aren’t hit with high duties on protective footwear, said a group of trade associations in an April 8 letter to Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee leadership (here). The simple addition of an internal membrane to athletic shoes should not change its HTS classification from sports and athletic footwear, dutiable at 20 percent, to protective footwear like fireman and rain boots, which carries a 37.5 percent duty, said the American Apparel & Footwear Association, Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, Outdoor Industry Association and Sports & Fitness Industry Association in the joint letter.