The Commerce Department issued a countervailing duty order on large diameter welded carbon and alloy steel structural pipe from China (C-570-078). Originating from AD/CV duty orders on all forms of large diameter welded pipe, the orders come with a revised scope due to an International Trade Commission determination that only illegally subsidized Chinese structural line pipe injures U.S. industry, and not line or stainless steel pipe.
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.
Two hand tool sets that undergo some work in China are not subject to the Section 301 tariffs because the sets are classifiable based on the ratchets, which are of Taiwan origin, CBP said in a Feb. 14 ruling N301954. Apex Tool, through Sandler Travis lawyer Marilyn-Joy Cerny, sought CBP's advice on classification, marking and the country of origin. Unlike another recent ruling involving Cerny and Apex Tool that found the Section 301 tariffs do apply (see 1810100040), CBP said the set can be classified through General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 3.
The Commerce Department issued antidumping and countervailing duty orders on large diameter welded carbon and alloy steel line pipe from India (A-533-881/C-533-882). Originating from AD/CV duty orders on all forms of large diameter welded pipe, the orders come with a revised scope due to an International Trade Commission determination that only Indian line pipe injures U.S. industry, and not structural or stainless steel pipe.
The Commerce Department issued an antidumping duty order on large diameter welded carbon and alloy steel line and structural pipe from China (A-570-077). Originating from AD/CV duty orders on all forms of large diameter welded pipe, the orders come with a revised scope due to an International Trade Commission determination that only dumped Chinese structural and line pipe injures U.S. industry, and not stainless steel pipe.
A coalition of domestic manufacturers is seeking the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties on wooden cabinets and vanities from China, it said in a petition filed March 5 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission. The petition targets wood-constructed products serving the purpose and function of permanently affixed cabinetry typically found throughout the home, including kitchen and bath cabinetry, modular vanities, and pedestal vanities. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations that could eventually result in the assessment of AD/CV duties.
Several industry representatives voiced frustrations about e-commerce’s impact on U.S. importers at a March 1 CBP meeting (see 1902110020), calling for a more streamlined filing system and a crackdown on foreign sellers. A common complaint by the industry leaders was a lack of transparency from foreign companies when they sell through online marketplaces. The public meeting, titled “The 21st Century Customs Framework,” featured multiple panels of industry representatives offering suggestions and criticisms of the current customs system to government officials from CBP, the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission, among others.
The Commerce Department made an affirmative antidumping preliminary determination that imports of steel racks and parts thereof from China (A-570-088) are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. The agency will impose AD duty cash requirements on entries of subject merchandise beginning on March 4.
The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on fabricated structural steel from Canada (A-122-864/C-122-865), Mexico (A-201-850/C-201-851) and China (A-570-102/C-570-103).
Machines for dosing, packing and dispensing pharmaceuticals are classifiable as packing machines of Harmonized Tariff Schedule heading 8422, the Court of International Trade said in a Feb. 28 decision. Overturning CBP’s initial classification and a subsequent ruling letter, the trade court held that the principal use of McKesson Canada’s Pacmed machine is packing, and that measuring and other functions of the machines are incidental to that function.
CBP created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1902 on Feb. 26, containing 40 Automated Broker Interface records and 11 harmonized tariff records, it said in a CSMS message. The update includes changes related to the delayed increase to Section 301 tariffs on goods from China. "Changes were made to extend the 10 percent duty rate" on Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading 9903.88.03, the agency said. "This will allow for pre filing of entries at the 10 percent duty rate. Further updates are possible after the forthcoming Federal Register notice is published."