The Commerce Department issued notices in the Federal Register on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on dried tart cherries from Turkey (A-489-835/C-489-836). The CV duty investigation covers entries Jan. 1, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2018. The AD duty investigation covers entries April 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019.
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.
CBP on May 14 added the ability in ACE for importers to file entries with the fourth group of exclusions from the first tranche of Section 301 tariffs, it said in a CSMS message. Filers of imported products that were granted an exclusion should report the regular Chapter 84, 85 or 90 Harmonized Tariff Schedule number, as well as subheading 9903.88.08 for products subject to Section 301 duties on products from China but that have been granted an exclusion by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. “Do not submit the corresponding Chapter 99 HTS number for the Section 301 duties when HTS 9903.88.08 is submitted,” CBP said.
Only 453 8-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheadings would not be covered by Section 301 tariffs on products from China, should the duties be imposed on the proposed fourth tranche of goods without any changes from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s list. That’s only about 4 percent of the over 11,000 8-digit subheadings in the HTS, with the remainder being subject to tariffs of up to 25 percent.
CBP created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1907 on May 10, containing 43 Automated Broker Interface records and 10 Harmonized Tariff Schedule records, it said in a CSMS message. The update includes adjustments required by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's announcement of increased tariffs on goods from China (see 1905100015). The update also includes the new exemptions from Section 301 tariffs on China (see 1905100034). Modifications required by the verification of the 2019 HTS are included as well.
Suspension of liquidation and antidumping duty cash deposit requirements take effect as of May 7 for imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico (A-201-820), the Commerce Department said in a notice announcing its termination of the agreement suspending the antidumping duty investigation. That investigation will now resume at the preliminary determination stage, which is where Commerce left off when it first suspended the investigation in 1996.
CBP provided some details in a May 9 CSMS message on how importers should file entries that will be subject to the increased Section 301 duties on goods from China. The CSMS message confirms that the increased duties will only apply to goods exported and entered after May 10 (see 1905080035). During a call with software developers the same day, CBP officials explained that several pieces are still being worked out, including the addition of a tariff subheading for goods exported before May 10 and entered after the tariffs take effect.
A domestic manufacturer filed petitions on May 7 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on quartz surface products from India and Turkey. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations on quartz surface products that could eventually result in the assessment of AD/CV duties. The petition was filed by Cambria Company.
The Commerce Department issued notices in the Federal Register on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on ceramic tile from China (A-570-108/C-570-109). The CV duty investigation covers entries Jan. 1, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2018. The AD duty investigation covers entries Oct. 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019.
The Commerce Department issued antidumping duty orders on large diameter welded carbon and alloy steel line and structural pipe from Canada (A-122-863), Turkey (A-489-833) and South Korea (A-580-897), and a countervailing duty order on large diameter welded carbon and alloy steel line and structural pipe from South Korea (C-580-898). The orders set permanent antidumping and countervailing duties, which will remain in place unless revoked by Commerce in a sunset or changed circumstances review. Commerce will now begin conducting annual administrative reviews, if requested, to determine final assessments of AD/CV duties on importers and make changes to cash deposit rates.
The Commerce Department issued a countervailing duty order on large diameter welded carbon and alloy steel structural pipe from Turkey (C-489-834). The order sets permanent countervailing duties, which will remain in place unless revoked by Commerce in a sunset or changed circumstances review. Commerce will now begin conducting annual administrative reviews, if requested, to determine final assessments of CV duties on importers and make changes to cash deposit rates.