The International Trade Administration has issued a notice announcing the allocation of the calendar year 2009 duty-free tariff rate quotas for certain cotton shirting fabric containing 85% or more by weight of cotton as described in Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings 9902.52.08 through 9902.52.19.
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 Office of Textiles and Apparel has posted its monthly monitoring data for certain apparel products imported from Vietnam for November 2008.
The President has issued a Proclamation to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement the U.S. - Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (Free Trade Agreement, PFTA), effective for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after February 1, 2009.
On December 31, 2008, President Bush issued Proclamation 8332 to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement (OFTA) effective for qualifying goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after January 1, 2009.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a memorandum titled: "US-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Instructions," that provides instructions for the filing and acceptance of claims for preferential treatment of goods under the U.S.- Oman Free Trade Agreement (OFTA, or UOFTA).
On December 23, 2008, the President issued Proclamation 8331 which amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to implement the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA)1 for Costa Rica, and for other purposes.
According to a Bureau of Census Automated Export System (AES) broadcast, effective January 1, 2009, the Schedule B and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) tables in AES were updated to accept the changes to the 2009 codes.
The International Trade Commission has posted to its Web site the 2009 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S., which is effective January 1, 2009.
The International Trade Commission has issued a notice announcing the institution of an investigation entitled Use of the "First Sale Rule" for Customs Valuation of U.S. Imports, as required by the 2008 Farm Bill1.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued an updated version of its Softwood Lumber Act of 2008 (SLA 2008) frequently asked questions document. The updated version removes three questions and answers; the removed questions are as follows: