The Census Bureau has issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that the Harmonized Tariff Schedule numbers have been updated in the AES Import Concordance.
Latest Harmonized System updates
In June 2009, the World Customs Organization Council adopted 221 sets of recommended amendments to the Harmonized System Nomenclature, to enter into force on 1 January 2012. Contracting Parties have 6 months during which they can object to a recommended amendment. Recommended amendments available here. (Notice, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/home_wco_topics_hsoverviewboxes_tools_and_instruments_backgrounddocumenths2012.htm)
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing that the required programming updates to the Automated Commercial System (ACS) for the July 1, 2009 Generalized System of Preferences changes have been completed. CBP also posted a notice outlining the July 1st changes. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/09/09 news, 09070905, for BP summary of the Proclamation implementing the July 1st GSP changes, etc.) (CSMS 09-000267, dated 07/15/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17657&page=&srch_argv=09-000267&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby; CBP notice, dated 07/14/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/international_agreements/special_trade_programs/gsp_gen_system/gsp_changes.xml)
The World Customs Organization has announced that the State of Qatar deposited its instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (revised Kyoto Convention. Qatar is the first member state of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to accede to the revised convention. (Press Release, dated 07/14/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/default.aspx?lid=1&id=189)
The International Trade Commission has posted an updated version of the 2009 U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule, which is dated July 1, 2009 (Supplement 1).
The Census Bureau has issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that effective August 3, 2009, AESDirect will deploy modifications to security measures and user authentication practices. All of these changes fall under the Department of Commerce's security guidelines and address the U.S. Census Bureau's IT Security Program Requirements. The upgrade to the AESDirect system will provide AESDirect users with the utmost in account security. (See broadcast for list of changes.) (AES Broadcast 2009027 available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)
Note that Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions does not appear in today's issue of International Trade Today. Publication of this feature will resume as new information becomes available.
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing recent changes to the 2009 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HS Update No. 0902). This update contains 25,777 ABI records and 4,334 harmonized records. Changes include the following:
The World Customs Organization states that Cuba, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka have deposited their instruments of accession to the revised Kyoto Convention on the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures with the WCO during the Annual Sessions of the WCO Council. (Press Release, dated 06/26/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/?v=1&lid=1&cid=6&id=185)
The House of Representatives has passed a bill to authorize the President to proclaim duty-free treatment for certain products (including textiles and apparel) from designated Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) within Afghanistan or specified areas in Pakistan, through September 30, 2024.