2020 outpaced even the active 2019 in terms of the frequency of Harmonized Tariff Schedule updates. Most of the updates implemented new Section 301 exclusions and changes and extensions for existing ones. Other major changes included new Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum "derivatives" and the withdrawal of Generalized System of Preferences benefits for many goods from Thailand In all, 13 revisions were issued prior to the mid-year Revision 14, as follows:
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 posted Revision 14 to the 2020 Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The semiannual update to the HTS implements USMCA, which took effect July 1, and adds new tariff numbers for a variety of products, including diagnostic reagents and personal protective equipment. All changes take effect July 1, unless otherwise specified.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on June 2 affirmed a lower court ruling that found plastic Apple iPad 2 “smart cover” cases are classifiable in the tariff schedule as articles of plastic, not as accessories for automatic data processing machines, despite their additional function as a stand.
A coalition of domestic manufacturers filed a petition on June 30 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping duties on seamless refined copper pipe and tube from Vietnam. Commerce will now decide whether to begin an AD duty investigation. The investigation was requested by the American Copper Tube Coalition, which consists of Mueller Group and Cerro Flow Products.
Two domestic manufacturers filed a petition June 29 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping duty duties on silicon metal from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland and Malaysia, and new countervailing duties on the same product from Kazakhstan. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations on silicon metal that could eventually result in the assessment of AD/CV duties.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
A U.S. manufacturer seeks the imposition of new antidumping and countervailing duties on twist ties from China, it said in a petition filed with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission March 26. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations, which could result in the imposition of permanent AD/CV duty orders and the assessment of AD and CV duties on importers.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
Four U.S. manufacturers seek the imposition of new antidumping and countervailing duties on standard steel welded wire mesh from Mexico, they said in a petition filed with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission June 29. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations, which could result in the imposition of permanent AD/CV duty orders and the assessment of AD and CV duties on importers.
A domestic manufacturer filed a petition on June 26 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizers from Morocco and Russia. Commerce will now decide whether to begin a CV duty investigation. The investigation was requested by The Mosaic Company.