U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the ACS (EI) and ACE (AE) systems are now automated to accept Colombia TPA claims (here).
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 Agricultural Marketing Service published a final rule establishing the Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order. Under the Order, producers of raspberries for processing and importers of processed raspberries will pay an assessment of up to one cent per pound ($0.022 / kg), with the initial assessment being one cent per pound, which will be paid to the National Processed Raspberry Council. This final rule is effective May 9, 2012, but collection of assessments and applicable reporting and recordkeeping will begin September 5, 2012.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced certain Colombia FTA TRQs that take effect May 15, 2012. The TRQs apply to sugars, beef, dairy, ice cream and tobacco -- goods of Colombia under the terms of General Note 34 to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). QUOTA PERIOD: May 15, 2012 through December 31, 2012 RESTRAINT LEVEL:
The International Trade Commission released its annual compilation of bi-weekly reports on textile and apparel imports from China for 2011, as requested by the House Committee on Ways and Means. The data in the report are shown on an annual and quarterly basis, by category and by Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) 10-digit subheadings. The complete report is available here.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is requesting comments by June 6, 2012, a 30-day comment cycle extension, on an existing information collection on the Declaration of Person Who Performed Repairs or Alterations requirement required for goods returned after repair and under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) 9802.00.40 and 9802.00.50. CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection with no change to the burden hours or to the information collected. The comments extensions ran in the Federal Register May 7, 2012.
The International Trade Administration 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 December 31, 2011.
U.S. Customs and Border protection issued a minor correction to a previous notice on the tariff-rate quota for tuna. The correction ran in the Federal Register May 1, 2012.
In a challenge of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification of “boots [that] can be pulled on with the hands, and that…extend above the ankle” as "slip-on footwear," brought by plaintiff Deckers Outdoor Corp., the Court of International Trade ruled in favor of CBP. CBP originally classified the entries under HTS No. 6404.19.35, which includes “[non-sports] footwear [with outer soles of rubber or plastics] of the slip-on type, that is held to the foot without the use of laces or buckles or other fasteners,” dutiable at 37.5% ad valorem.
In a government action seeking recovery of lost duties and penalties based upon negligence from defendant Nitek Electronics, Inc., the Court of International Trade granted Nitek’s motion to dismiss the government’s penalty claim for negligence. CIT found that, with respect to the penalty claim, the government failed to exhaust its administrative remedies prior to this action.
The International Trade Administration issued a correction to its notice of initiation of the countervailing duty investigation of drawn stainless steel sinks from China (C-570-984). In the scope of the original CV initiation notice, the ITA omitted a word and used an incomplete Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number.