CBP said it created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1603 on April 21, containing 1,062 ABI records and 201 harmonized tariff records. It also created HSU 1604 on April 22, containing 337 ABI records and 64 harmonized tariff records. "In both updates, modifications include the addition of PGA (Participating Government Agency) indicators as well as changes made as a result" of the customs reauthorization law, which amended HTS chapter 98, CBP said in a CSMS message (here). The law's changes to the HTS chapter, which took effect April 24, means articles returned after repair under subheadings 9802.00.40 and 9802.00.50 can be commingled, and the origin, value and classification of such articles may be accounted for using an “inventory management” method. The new law also amends the article description for subheading 9801.00.10 so that it includes “any other products when returned within 3 years after having been exported,” and inserts a new subheading providing duty-free treatment for certain U.S. government property returned to the U.S. The modified records can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the CATAIR. Further information: Jennifer Keeling, Jennifer.Keeling@dhs.gov.
Latest Harmonized System updates
CBP provided more information on its Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1602 from April 5, it said in a April 19 CSMS message (here). "Although most of the modifications made included updates to Participating Government Agency flags, additional changes were involved," in that update (see 1604110011). "Modifications to the Quantitative Limitations on the Importation of Certain Sugars, Syrups and Molasses were also incorporated in this update, and they were effective" on Jan. 1, said CBP.
CBP said it created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1602 on April 5, containing 11,308 ABI records and 2,091 harmonized tariff records. Modifications include the addition of PGA indicators, said CBP (here). Adjustments required for the verification of the 2016 Harmonized Tariff Schedule are also included, CBP said in a CSMS message. The modified records can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the CATAIR. Further information: Jennifer Keeling, Jennifer.Keeling@dhs.gov.
The Commerce Department updated its Free Trade Agreement Tariff Tool (here), which provides the latest information on tariffs on U.S. products exported to Trans-Pacific Partnership member markets, Commerce said (here). In addition to providing current tariff information, the tool will simplify the process to identify the Harmonized System Code (HS Code) for a specific product and highlight timelines and amounts of future tariff reductions under existing FTAs, Commerce said. The International Trade Administration is hosting webinars to brief its members on the FTA Tariff Tool this week, on:
The World Customs Organization updated its "Correlation Tables" that describe differences between the 2012 and 2017 Harmonized Systems, the WCO said (here). "The revised Correlation Tables show the correlation resulting from both the amendments to the Nomenclature which have been accepted as a result" of council recommendations, it said.
CBP said it created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1601 on Jan. 12, containing 808 ABI records and 169 harmonized tariff records. The update includes changes made by the Committee for Statistical Annotation of Tariff Schedules, said CBP (here). Adjustments required for the verification of the 2016 Harmonized Tariff Schedule are also included, CBP said in a CSMS message. The modified records can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the CATAIR. Further information: Jennifer Keeling, Jennifer.Keeling@dhs.gov.
The International Trade Commission recently released the 2016 edition of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (here). The new HTS implements a recent presidential proclamation that terminated benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act for Burundi (see 1512220025). Other changes include the addition of several new schedule B numbers for heavy fuel oils, the addition of new tariff numbers for veal and vaping liquids, and a lower duty rate for some wood flooring panels. Most changes took effect Jan. 1.
The World Customs Organization released an outline of the origin provisions within the Trans-Pacific Partnership (here). The overview is "part of the Comparative study on Preferential Rules of Origin" and the WCO plans to eventually release a more detailed version, it said (here). The main topics covered by the TPP on origin procedures relate to certification of origin, claims for preferential tariff treatment and origin verification, it said. Provisions in the TPP for originating goods include regional value content and de minimis. The agreement includes a wide range of customs provisions, many of which are meant to modernize customs processing among the TPP members (see 1511050020).
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Nov. 16-20 in case they were missed.
Federal agencies with a hand in regulating trade listed their plans for issuing new regulations in the Fall 2015 Unified Agenda (here). New rules from FDA would amend labeling requirements for animal drugs, finalize changes to food facility registration requirements and continue to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act. Upcoming rules from the Agriculture Department are set to affect genetically engineered foods and labeling of meat products.