The International Trade Commission has posted to its Web site an updated version of the 2009 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTS) dated February 1, 2009 (Revision 1).
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 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has published a notice announcing revisions to its enforcement phase-in plan for the Lacey Act Amendment declaration requirement for imported plants and plant products, provided information on its exemptions, etc.
On January 15, 2009, the International Trade Commission released the public version of a report requested by the U.S. Trade Representative as part of the 2008 GSP Annual Review on the probable economic effect of possible additions to and removals from the Generalized System of Preferences.
In late January 2009, President Bush issued Proclamation 8341, which amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA or PFTA) effective for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after February 1, 2009.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing that the Government of Haiti has successfully completed the test phase for the CBP electronic visa system (ELVIS) and, beginning on February 1, 2009, the Government of Haiti will begin issuing visas in ELVIS for each Haiti HOPE1 claim under Harmonized Tariff Schedule Chapter 98, Subchapter XX.
The International Trade Administration has made a preliminary affirmative antidumping duty determination that certain tow behind lawn groomers and certain parts thereof from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.
On December 23, 2008, the President issued Proclamation 8331 which makes technical corrections to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule Pharmaceutical Appendix in order to provide the intended duty treatment to certain pharmaceutical products and chemical intermediaries.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued an interim final rule, effective January 16, 2009, in order to amend its regulations for the JADE Act1 and Presidential Proclamation 8294 on the:
The International Trade Administration has issued interim procedures, effective December 1, 2008, which implement the "2 for 1" Earned Import Allowance Program providing duty-free treatment for certain apparel articles wholly assembled in the Dominican Republic. Written comments are due by March 23, 2009.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a notice entitled Notice of Examination: April 2009 Customs Broker License Examination, which announces that the next customs broker license exam will be held on Monday, April 6, 2009.