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HTS

August 21, 2014

News Release 14-084

Inv. No(s). 1205-11

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

Category Changes to the U.S. HTS

USITC BEGINS PROCESS TO INCORPORATE GLOBAL IMPORT CATEGORY CHANGES INTO U.S. HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE

Changes Affect 234 Product Categories; Importers Can Review, Prepare to Participate

International customs officials at the World Customs Organization (WCO) have agreed on 234 changes to the global system that categorizes products that are imported and exported around the world, and countries are beginning their individual processes to incorporate those changes into their own domestic product category systems.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is the federal agency charged with maintaining and updating the United States' product category system, the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). The USITC today instituted an investigation that will lead to recommendations to the President on necessary modifications to the U.S. HTS.

The U.S. and other countries have until January 1, 2017, to incorporate the changes, but much work lies ahead, according to Jim Holbein, director of the USITC office that maintains the HTS.

"The first step for importers and exporters is to become aware of the changes being made at the international level," Holbein said. "If they believe they will be affected, they will want to stay on top of the process as it moves forward."

The USITC has posted the WCO document outlining the changes on its website at:http://www.usitc.gov/tariff_affairs/WCORecommendationofJune272014.pdf.

USITC nomenclature analysts are analyzing the WCO document, and the Commission expects to issue proposed recommendations on changes to the HTS in December 2014. At that time, the USITC will seek public comments on the proposed recommendations. Detailed information on how to submit comments and related deadlines will be provided at that time.

The USITC will consider all public comments, as well as comments from other U.S. agencies, in making its recommendations. The recommendations will be submitted to the President (through the U.S. Trade Representative) by July 2015. Following expiration of a 60-day layover period before the Congress, the President may proclaim the modifications to the HTS.

More information about the USITC investigation can be found in the notice of investigation dated August 20, 2014.

 

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By Chapter of HTS :2003-07-01 - Basic, Official Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated

This page contains the chapter-by-chapter listing of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and general notes.  The links below correspond to the various sections in the Table of Contents for the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.  Clicking on a link will load the corresponding Adobe .pdf file

By Chapter of HTS :2008-04-01 - Revision 1, Official Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated

This page contains the chapter-by-chapter listing of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and general notes.  The links below correspond to the various sections in the Table of Contents for the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.  Clicking on a link will load the corresponding Adobe .pdf file

(Note: Section notes, if any, are attached to the first chapter of each section. "Page down" to view chapter after selecting.)

July 3, 2012

News Release 12-074

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

USITC Releases New Web Tool to Help Users Learn to Read the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States

The USITC has released A Guide to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, a web- based, interactive e-learning module to help users become familiar with and learn how to read the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).

The e-learning module, originally developed as an in-house training tool for new USITC staff, will guide users through web-based lessons to help them understand the HTS and how it is structured. The USITC fields hundreds of calls a year from importers, businesses, and citizens seeking information about classifying merchandise in the HTS.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the trading community use the HTS to determine tariff classifications and duty treatment for goods imported into the United States. The USITC plays a unique role in maintaining the HTS. The USITC also advises the United States Trade Representative and the Congress about proposals that might modify any or all of the thousands of product categories and duty rates.

The USITC HTS e-learning module consists of four lessons, which provide information about:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • * the purpose of the HTS and its role in U.S. trade and product classification;
  • * how to read the HTS;
  • * how to determine duty rates and access the HTS Online Reference Tool; and
  • * special HTS provisions, such as those resulting from trade agreements and other special programs.

Each lesson includes a review section to ensure users have accurately digested the lesson's information.

The e-learning module also includes useful resources and links to other relevant information, including a glossary of terms, a library of links to related or more advanced information on a number of the topics covered in the lessons, and the HTS itself.

The USITC's e-learning module, A Guide to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States can be accessed at http://www.usitc.gov/elearning/hts/menu/. The USITC welcomes feedback on the HTS e-learning module from users at hts_elearning.module@usitc.gov.

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