USITC Seeks Public Comments on Proposals to Modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule

The USITC is seeking public comments on proposed recommendations on how to bring the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) into compliance with specific recently approved changes to the global Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (generally referred to as "Harmonized System" or simply "HS").   The HS is a multipurpose international product nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO).

BACKGROUND:

Last year, members of the WCO agreed on 234 changes to the HS, the global system that categorizes products that are imported and exported around the world.  Countries subsequently began their individual processes to incorporate those changes into their own domestic product category systems.  The U.S. and other countries have until January 1, 2017, to incorporate the changes.

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).  Last August, the USITC instituted an investigation that will lead to recommendations to the President on necessary modifications to the U.S. HTS.

COMMENTS REQUESTED:

The USITC is now seeking comments on its proposed recommendations on how to incorporate the changes into the HTS. 

The modifications under consideration concern: (1) the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Recommendation of June 27, 2014, that contracting parties to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System modify their tariff schedules to conform with the amendments to the Harmonized System expected to enter into force on January 1, 2017; and (2) whether one of the two HTS subheadings that apply to taro (also known as dasheen) should be deleted, and (3) whether the HTS nomenclature for corned beef should be provided for under a superior subheading for cured meat of bovine animals.

The Commission has posted its proposed recommendations on the USITC website at http://www.usitc.gov/sites/default/files/tariff_affairs/documents/proposed_recommendations_to_amend_the_hts_inv._1205-11.pdf.  Interested Federal agencies and the public are invited to submit written comments on the proposed recommendations by April 20, 2015.

All written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  All written submissions must conform with the Commission’s filing requirements.  Questions about filings should be directed to the Office of the Secretary, Docket Services, at 202-205-1802.

Further information about the USITC investigation and procedures to file comments are available in the Commission’s notice of “proposed recommendations” and solicitation of public comments, dated February 11, 2015.

NEXT STEPS:

After considering written public comments, the Commission will prepare and submit to the President a report in accordance with section 1205(c) of the Trade Act of 1988.   The Commission expects to submit its report on July 31, 2015.  Following expiration of a 60-day layover period before the Congress, the President may proclaim the modifications to the HTS.

RELATED LINKS:

WCO document outlining the changes to the global Harmonized System: http://www.usitc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/wcorecommendationofjune272014.pdf.

USITC notice of investigation:  http://www.usitc.gov/tariff_affairs/documents/1205_11_notice08202014sgl.pdf

News Release:  http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2014/er0821mm1.htm