The International Trade Commission posted Revision 13 to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, adding provisions in Chapter 99 to implement tariff exemptions under the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill. All previously included notes to Subchapter II to Chapter 99 are eliminated. New tariff subheadings 9902.01.01 through 9902.18.01 are added, covering the goods that received duty exemptions in the latest MTB (see 1809140004). All of these changes took effect along with the MTB on Oct. 13. The tariff exemptions are in effect until the end of 2020. Though MTB grants exemptions from general duty rates, Section 301 and other additional duties still apply (see 1810150051).
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 domestic manufacturers filed petitions on Oct. 17 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping and countervailing duties on polyester textured yarn from China and India. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations on polyester textured yarn that could eventually result in the assessment of AD/CV duties. The petition, filed by Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. and Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, targets yarns for use in the weaving and knitting of synthetic fabrics that are produced in a way that makes the yarn look and feel more like a natural fiber and makes it more durable, flexible and dyeable.
The Commerce Department issued notices in the Federal Register on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on aluminum wire and cable from China (A-570-095/C-570-096). The CV duty investigation covers entries Jan. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2017. The AD duty investigation covers entries Jan. 1, 2018, through June 30, 2018.
The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping duty investigations on stainless steel kegs from China, Germany and Mexico (A-570-093, A-428-846, A-201-849), and countervailing duty investigation on stainless steel kegs from China (C-570-094).
The Commerce Department issued a notice in the Federal Register on its recently initiated antidumping duty investigation on mattresses from China (A-570-092). The agency will determine whether imports of merchandise subject to this investigation are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. The period of investigation is Jan. 1, 2018, through June 30, 2018.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of Oct. 8-14:
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements seeks comments by Nov. 16 on potential changes to the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement that would allow use of certain fibers and yarns that are not otherwise originating under KORUS. Fibers and yarns subject to the request from the government of South Korea include:
The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act took effect on Oct. 13 (see 1809140004) and CBP programmed all Harmonized Tariff Schedule numbers in ACE in preparation, the agency said in an Oct. 12 CSMS message. The MTB provisions are in subchapter II to Chapter 99, the agency said. The MTB reduces tariffs on nearly 1,700 items. "Since approximately half of the 1,660 MTB-eligible items are produced in China, there is overlap with Section 301 tariffs," CBP said. "Products of China subject to Section 301 tariffs can benefit from MTB’s suspensions and reductions for the general (column 1) rate of duty, but remain subject to the 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty imposed by headings 9903.88.01 and 9903.88.02 or 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty imposed by headings 9903.88.03 and 9903.88.04."
The Commerce Department will impose antidumping duty cash deposit requirements on laminated woven sacks from Vietnam (A-552-823), after finding in its preliminary determination that imports of the product are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. The new AD duty cash deposit requirements take effect for entries on or after Oct. 11.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters: