CBP posted a new Informed Compliance Publication (ICP) meant to provide guidance for the Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification of tires for import purposes. The publication includes information on tire terminology, tire types, sidewall markings and discussions of tires under HTS headings 4011 and 4012. The ICP also addresses President Barack Obama's 2009 proclamation that imposed additional duties on rubber tires from China classified in subheadings 4011.10.10, 4011.10.50, 4011.20.10 and 4011.20.50.
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.
The Commerce Department is seeking comment on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by certain countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the U.S. during the period July 1 through Dec. 31, 2013. Comments are due by May 30.
CBP said its Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1403 was created April 24, containing 569 ABI records and 110 harmonized tariff records. The update contains modifications made as a result of Agricultural Marketing Service raspberry fees (see 14022516). Adjustments required by the verification of the 2014 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) 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.
Stoughton Trailers on April 23 filed a request for new antidumping and countervailing duties on “53-foot domestic dry containers” from China (A-570-014/C-570-015). The petition says the duties should cover 53’ and 53’ high cube containers frequently used in intermodal shipping by rail and truck in North America. It says they should not cover 20’ and 40’ containers used in international ocean shipping and trailers with built-in wheels. According to the petition, underselling by Chinese companies has forced Stoughton, a domestic manufacturer, to close its plant in Evansville, Ind. despite strong container demand from shipping companies.
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements added certain cashmere yarns to the list of items not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner under Appendix 4-B-1 of the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KFTA). The yarns, which are classified in subheadings 5108.10 and 5108.20 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, were added in unrestricted quantities. Effective April 24, textile or apparel goods imported into the U.S. containing these 100% cashmere 2-ply yarns will be treated as originating goods, regardless of the actual origin of those inputs. Heritage Cashmere Korea Co., Ltd. requested the addition to the KFTA short supply list in March (see 14032423).
The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on sugar from Mexico (A-201-845/C-201-846). The agency will determine whether sugar imports are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value or illegally subsidized. The period under investigation in both the AD and CV duty cases is Jan. 1, 2013, through Dec. 31, 2013.
The Foreign Trade Zones Board issued the following notices for April 18:
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) recently launched two investigations into trade in environmental goods, it said on April 17. The U.S. aims to formally begin negotiations by June on an environmental goods tariffs agreement at the World Trade Organization (see 14032415). The first investigation will evaluate the economic impact of removing duties on environmental goods, said the release, while the second will focus on the details of specific environmental goods.
Throwable dog toys imported by Canine Hardware are excluded from classification within Harmonized Tariff Schedule Chapter 95 because the principal use is to amuse pets, said CBP in a Feb. 10 ruling. While the company argued that the goods are eligible for the chapter because they are designed for interactive play, CBP headquarters disagreed in its protest review, HQ H240490.
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements added certain cuprammonium rayon filament yarns to the list of items not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner under Appendix 4-B-1 of the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KFTA). The yarns, which are classified in subheading 5403.39 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, were added in unrestricted quantities. Effective April 18, textile or apparel goods imported into the U.S. containing these textured and non-textured cuprammonium rayon filament yarns will be treated as originating goods, regardless of the actual origin of those inputs. Dae Yong Textile Co., Ltd. requested the addition to the KFTA short supply list in March (see 14032423).