CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing that the required programming updates to the Automated Commercial System (ACS) for the July 1, 2009 Generalized System of Preferences changes have been completed. CBP also posted a notice outlining the July 1st changes. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/09/09 news, 09070905, for BP summary of the Proclamation implementing the July 1st GSP changes, etc.) (CSMS 09-000267, dated 07/15/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17657&page=&srch_argv=09-000267&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby; CBP notice, dated 07/14/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/international_agreements/special_trade_programs/gsp_gen_system/gsp_changes.xml)
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 an affirmative preliminary determination of circumvention for the antidumping duty order on certain cut-to-length carbon steel plate from China.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice inviting comments on the remedies proposed by the International Trade Commission, including an additional duty of 35-55% over three years, to address its recent Section 4211 "safeguard" determination regarding certain tires from China. USTR also seeks comments on other possible remedies.
The Census Bureau has posted to its Web site the July 2009 issue of its Automated Export System (AES) Newsletter. Highlights of Census' AES Newsletter include:
The International Trade Administration has sent its second report to Congress on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by certain countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the U.S. during the six month period July 1 - December 31, 2008.
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule, effective August 7, 2009, to amend 7 CFR Part 1205 to increase the value assigned to imported cotton for the supplemental assessments portion of the tax collected on imported cotton and the cotton content of imported products ("imported cotton").
International Trade Commission sources have provided a document listing the statistical changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule that took effect on July 1, 2009.
The Director of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Secure Freight Initiative, Richard DiNucci, provided an update on 10+2 during the July 7, 2009 National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America's Importer Security Filing webinar.
The International Trade Commission has posted an updated version of the 2009 U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule, which is dated July 1, 2009 (Supplement 1).
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.