International Trade Commission sources have provided a document listing the statistical changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and/or Schedule B which take effect January 1, 2011 (or other dates as noted below).
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 International Trade Commission has delayed the due date for its report on modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for certain festive articles to December 13, 2010 (from November 29, 2010). The delay will allow the ITC more time to complete the report, including its recommendations.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum on Proclamation 8596, which amended Subchapter XX, Chapter 98, of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement certain provisions of the Haiti Economic Lift Program of 2010 (HELP Act), effective for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after November 1, 2010.
On November 1, 2010, President Obama issued Proclamation 8596, which amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement Haiti HELP, extend the Haiti HOPE tariff preference levels, adjust the tariff classification rules (TCRs) for the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (BFTA), and make certain technical corrections.
The International Trade Commission has made one update, effective November 1, 2010, to the electronic version of the 2010 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (Revision 2), to add a statistical breakout to HTS 9403.90.80.
On November 1, 2010, President Obama issued Proclamation 8596, which amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement Haiti HELP, extend the Haiti HOPE tariff preference levels, adjust the tariff classification rules under the U.S.-Bahrain free trade agreement (BFTA), and make certain technical corrections.
The International Trade Administration is requesting comments on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by certain countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the U.S. during the period January 1 through June 30, 2010.
On November 1, 2010, President Obama issued Proclamation 8596, which amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement Haiti HELP, adjust the tariff classification rules under the U.S.-Bahrain free trade agreement (FTA), and make certain technical corrections.
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing recent changes to the 2010 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HS Update No. 1005). This update contains 496 ABI records and 92 harmonized tariff records.
In Trumpf Medical Systems, Inc, v. U.S., the Court of International Trade determined that certain surgical light systems were considered a diagnostic tool chiefly used as an aid to physicians in identifying a disease or illness, and were therefore duty-free under Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading 9018.90.60 as electro-surgical instruments.