"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions.
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 Administration has issued a notice of extension of the deadline for quantity and value (Q&V) questionnaires to November 19, 2009 in its initiation of the antidumping duty investigation for certain standard steel fasteners from China.
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, 2009.
The International Trade Commission has announced that its entire website will be unavailablefrom 9:00 p.m. EST, Friday, November 6 until 8:00 a.m. EST, Monday, November 9, 2009 due to planned power outage at the ITC building.
The International Trade Administration has initiated antidumping duty investigations to determine whether imports of seamless refined copper pipe and tube from China and Mexico are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.
The International Trade Administration has initiated a countervailing duty investigation to determine manufacturers, producers, or exporters of sodium and potassium phosphate salts in China receive countervailable subsidies.
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade
In Photonetics, Inc., v U.S., the Court of International Trade ruled that certain precision tunable lasers, having a brand name "Tunics", are properly classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule heading 9027, and more specifically, under subheading 9027.50.40 (duty-free).
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted a joint statement by the trade ministers of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico regarding the results of the October 19, 2009 meeting of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Free Trade Commission (FTC).
The International Trade Administration has initiated an antidumping duty investigation to determine whether imports of certain sodium and potassium phosphate salts from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.