In May 2011, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative updated its guidebook on the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences to facilitate public understanding of the GSP program. Among other topics, the guidebook provides information on articles eligible for duty-free treatment, articles prohibited from receiving such treatment, Competitive Need Limitations, and reimbursement for tariffs after retroactive renewal of the program.
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.
According to U.S. Trade Representative and International Trade Commission officials, certain government work must occur before a Proclamation can be issued that amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), including verifying compliance with FTA commitments and exchanging formal diplomatic notes.
The International Trade Administration has issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from India, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam (A-533-852, A-523-801, A-520-805, A-522-811, C-533-853, C-523-802, C-520-806, and C-552-810).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota on animal feed containing milk or milk derivatives provided for in Chapter 23, Additional U.S. Note 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012. The aggregate low-duty quantity is 7,399,700 kg and the below-listed countries have the following minimum access amounts:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota on dried milk, dried cream, and dried whey provided for in Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 12 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota on Swiss and Emmentaler cheese, with eye formation, provided for in Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 25 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota for cheese and substitutes for cheese provided for in Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 16 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012. The below-listed countries or areas have the following low-duty access amounts:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota on cheese and substitutes for cheese provided for in Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 23 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota on Swiss or Emmentaler cheese, other than with eye formation, provided for in Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 22 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012. The below-listed countries or areas have the following low-duty access amounts:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota on Edam and Gouda cheeses provided for in Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 20 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, will open on January 3, 2012.