U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota on milk (whole) and cream provided for in Chapter 4, subheading 0401.20 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012 with a low-duty quantity of 11,356,236 liters.
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 has issued a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota for dried milk and dried cream provided for in Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 9 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012 with a low-duty quantity of 99,500 kg.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota for chocolate and low-fat chocolate crumb provided for in Chapter 18, Additional U.S. Note 3 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 ice cream provided for in Chapter 21, Additional U.S. Note 5 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012.
The Agricultural Marketing Service is delaying its implementation of the Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order that was supposed to be financed by an assessment (fee or tax) of $0.15 on each U.S. domestic and imported fresh cut Christmas trees, starting November 9, 2011. According to AMS sources, "misinformation about the Christmas Tree program has caused confusion for consumers heading into this Christmas season. For that reason, we have delayed implementation of the program and are looking at steps forward."
The Government of Canada issued the following trade-related notices for Nov 9-10, 2011 (note that some will also be given separate headlines):
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota for chocolate provided for in Chapter 18, Additional U.S. Note 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012. The aggregate low-duty quantity is 26,167,700 kg with the below-listed countries having the following minimum access amounts:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota for butter substitutes provided for in Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 14 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012 with a low-duty quantity of 6,080,500 kg. Imports described in HTS Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 14 are subject to agriculture licensing.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum announcing that the 2012 tariff rate quota for butter and fresh or sour cream provided for in Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 6 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will open on January 3, 2012 with a low-duty quantity of 6,977,000 kg. Imports described in HTS Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 6 are subject to agriculture licensing.
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule, effective November 9, 2011, that establishes a Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order and program that will be financed by an assessment (fee or tax) of $0.15 each on U.S. domestic and imported fresh cut Christmas tree. As ABI is not yet programmed for the fee, AMS sources state that importers will have to pay the fee 30 calendar days after importation.