The International Trade Commission has posted its February 2011 report for Addendum Investigation 1205-8, which recommends a second group of new Harmonized Tariff Schedule numbers for the classification of certain Chapter 64 footwear featuring an outer sole of rubber or plastic with an added textile layer (textile-bottomed footwear). The recommended changes are intended to retain the affected footwear's lower HTS 6405 duty rates, once they are classified in other subheadings (6404.11, 6404.19, and 6402.99) due to a new chapter note.
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.
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing recent changes to the 2011 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HS Update No. 1101). This update contains 1,094 ABI records and 190 harmonized tariff records. The changes made are required by the verification of the 2011 HTS. The modified records are currently available to all ABI participants and can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the CATAIR.
The International Trade Data System Board's recent fiscal year 2010 report on the status of ITDS states that it has completed a pilot on using product codes in import transactions involving toys, and that it was conducting other pilots that involve imported cut flowers and meat products.
The International Trade Commission is again delaying the issuance of its report containing recommendations to the President on whether to modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to make certain festive apparel and other utilitarian articles duty-free.
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule amending the Dairy Promotion and Research Order to implement an assessment (tax) on imported dairy products and to add importer representation to the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule, effective March 17, 2011, to finalize its interim rule that eliminated the textile declaration and added new Manufacturer Identification Code (MID) requirements for textiles and apparel. The final rule adopts the October 2005 interim rule, with changes, such as excluding personal use shipments from the MID requirement, and limiting the MID requirement for textiles and apparel outside of HTS Section XI to those with category numbers.
In mid February 2011, the International Trade Commission sent a finalized set of recommended HTS changes to the U.S. Trade Representative under Investigation 1205-8 (Addendum), for the purpose of modifying the classification of a second group of Chapter 64 footwear that features an outer sole of rubber or plastic with an added textile layer. This finalized set was sent to Congress for a 60 legislative-day layover period on March 2, 2011, according to USTR sources.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its frequently asked questions document regarding containers considered to be instruments of international traffic (IIT) that are imported into the U.S. with residual cargo (such as chemicals or other bulk goods1). Among other things, the updated FAQs state that on July 17, 2011, CBP will begin enforcing the requirement that residual cargo imported in IIT be manifested, classified, and entered (i.e., formal entry, informal entry, or Section 321 entry).
The new statistical changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule which took effect for certain Chapter 95 toys on January 1, 2011, do not provide HTS breakouts for certain toys which are not labeled for use by a particular age group.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its notice announcing that the next customs broker license exam will be held on Monday, April 4, 2011.