The fiscal year 2008 report to Congress on the International Trade Data System has recently been posted to the ITDS Web site. The report addresses the status of ITDS implementation, the extent of participation in ITDS by federal agencies, recommendations for improvements, etc.
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 Commission is expected to post the 2009 Harmonized Tariff Schedule to its Web site by January 1, 2009, according to sources at the ITC.
The International Trade Commission is expected to post the 2009 Harmonized Tariff Schedule to its Web site by January 1, 2009, according to sources at the ITC.
The Census Bureau has issued an Automated Export System broadcast regarding the 2009 Schedule B and Harmonized Tariff Schedule numbers update in AES.
On December 29, 2008, President Bush issued Proclamation 8332 to implement the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement effective January 1, 2009.
The President has issued Proclamation 8330, which designates Kosovo and Azerbaijan as beneficiary developing countries under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), and terminates the designation of Mauritania as an African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) beneficiary country1.
ITA Proposes Rule on Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments by Educational/Nonprofit Institutions
The International Trade Administration has issued a proposed rule to amend 15 CFR Part 301 on the duty-free entry of scientific instruments and apparatus into the U.S. by educational and nonprofit institutions.
On December 23, 2008, President Bush issued a proclamation to implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement for Costa Rica, effective January 1, 2009.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its interim final rule which will amend 19 CFR Parts 4, 12, 18, 101, 103, 113, 122, 123, 141, 143, 149, 178, and 192, effective January 26, 2009, to require Security Filing (SF) information from importers and additional information from carriers (10+2) for vessel (maritime) cargo before it is brought into the U.S.1
The Office of Textiles and Apparel has posted its monthly monitoring data for certain apparel products imported from Vietnam for October 2008.