U.S. Customs and Border Protection is requesting additional comments by May 10, 2012 on an existing information collection requirement, the Application for Extension of Bond for Temporary Importation (CBP Form 3173). CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this form with no change to the burden hours or to the form itself.
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.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is requesting comments by May 2, 2012 on an existing information collection on Importers of Merchandise Subject to Actual Use Provisions. CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection with no change to the burden hours or to the information collected.
The Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, refused to rehear en banc a case involving tariffs paid on plasma flat panel televisions assembled in Mexico between June 1, 2003, and December 27, 2005. The petition for rehearing was filed by plaintiff Hitachi Home Electronics in the case of Hitachi Home Electronics (America) vs. the U.S. The court said a poll of the judges showed no support for a rehearing.
The Census Bureau has posted to its website the March 2012 issue of Automated Export System (AES) Newsletter. The newsletter contains articles providing guidance on, among other things: (1) how to correct Electronic Export Information (EEI) for a shipment that was exported and, while the cargo was in transit to its original destination, a portion was sold to another consignee in a different location; (2) identification of the U.S. Principal Party of Interest (USPPI) when goods are withdrawn from a Foreign Trade Zone for export to a foreign country; and (3) reporting the correct HTS/schedule B number for boats.
Applikon’s Bioreactor Systems are correctly classified under subheading 8479.82.00, (free) Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTSUS), said the U.S. Court of International Trade in a decision March 28. The U.S. had moved for a rehearing of an earlier decision to correct what it said was “clear error” in the court’s decision.
Gazebos imported from China and sold at Target stores should indeed be classified as gazebos, and not as tents subject to higher duties, the Court of International Trade ruled in a March 22 decision, overturning a Customs and Border Protection decision. The court cited numerous differences between temporary tents and more-permanent gazebos, and even referred to dictionary definitions. "The record evidence establishes without contradiction that plaintiff's merchandise herein is marketed, sold, assembled, displayed and enjoyed as gazebos, not as tents," said the opinion written by Senior Judge Thomas Aquilino.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a new version of its calendar year 2012 Tariff Rate Quota instructions for ethyl alcohol from the Caribbean and Insular Possessions due to the expiration of HTS 9901.00.50, which is assigned to this TRQ.
On March 26, President Obama signed Proclamation 8788 to suspend Argentina's designation as a Generalized System of Preferences beneficiary country and to designate the Republic of South Sudan as a GSP beneficiary country, as well as a least developed beneficiary. The Proclamation also makes other changes regarding other preference programs and free trade agreements, and technical changes.
The International Trade Administration issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on drawn stainless steel sinks from China (A-570-983 and C-570-984, respectively). The ITA will determine whether imports of stainless steel sinks from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value, and whether manufacturers, producers, or exporters of stainless steel sinks from China receive countervailable subsidies.
The International Trade Administration issued its final affirmative antidumping duty determination on galvanized steel wire from China (A-570-975), which increases the AD rates for all respondents1 by 94%, and maintains the AD rate of 235% for the China-wide entity. This final determination, which is effective March 26, 2012, is expected to be implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection soon.