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.
In the August 20, 2009 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 43, No. 34), CBP published a notice modifying one ruling and a treatment as follows:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued revised guidance on the classification of utilitarian or functional articles with festive designs and/or motifs in light of the Michael Simon Design, Inc. v. U.S. decision. The revised guidance supersedes its previous versions.
The International Trade Commission has instituted two investigations, pursuant to a request from the U.S. Trade Representative, regarding the effects of proposed modifications of North American Free Trade Agreement rules of origin for certain textile articles of: (1) Canada or Mexico, containing rayon and other manmade fibers; and (2) Canada, containing acrylic and modacrylic fibers1:
The International Trade Commission has issued a report which provides probable effects advice on proposed modifications to the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SFTA) rules of origin for apparel made of certain yarns and fabrics on U.S. trade under the SFTA, on total trade, and on affected domestic producers.
Note that Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions does not appear in today's issue of International Trade Today. Publication of this feature will resume as new information becomes available.
The International Trade Data System Product Information Committee1 has presented a concept paper on recommendations for the use of "product information codes" to the ITDS Board of Directors.
In UPS Customhouse Brokerage, Inc., v. U.S., the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the decision of the Court of International Trade that UPS had misclassified certain merchandise under HTS 8473.30.90, but the CAFC invalidated the CIT's holding concerning Customs' determination that UPS did not exercise responsible supervision and control under 19 USC 1641.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice regarding implementation of U.S. obligations under the first phase of the U.S.-European Communities Memorandum of Understanding in the Beef Hormones dispute that was signed in May 2009.
The International Trade Administration has issued an affirmative final determination that certain inquiry merchandise produced by Tianjin Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. and/or imported by Toyota Tsusho America is within the class or kind of merchandise subject to the antidumping duty order on certain cut-to-length carbon steel plate from China.
According to International Trade Commission sources, the printed version of Supplement 1 to the 2009 Harmonized Tariff Schedule that is available by subscription, inadvertently contains modifications to the agriculture products and countries in heading 9903 that were previously scheduled to go into effect on August 15, 2009 in connection with the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement rulings in the European Union beef hormone dispute.