The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today instituted an investigation, Recommended Modifications in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, 2028, that will lead to recommendations to the President on necessary changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) to align it with amendments to the global Harmonized System (HS).

The HS, maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO), is an international product naming system used to categorize and monitor global trade in goods. The classification systems of 212 countries, territories, or customs and economic unions, including the HTS, are based on the HS.

The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, is responsible for maintaining the HTS. By statute, the USITC is required to recommend modifications to the HTS to the President to align the HTS with adjustments made to the HS by the WCO. Modifications must be consistent with HS amendments; consistent with sound nomenclature principles; and ensure substantial rate neutrality.

As part of this process, the USITC expects to issue preliminary draft modifications to the HTS for public comment in February 2026. Following the public comment period, the agency will finalize the necessary modifications to the HTS and submit a report to the President in September 2026. 

The notice of investigation, dated August 12, 2025, contains more information about the investigation and can be downloaded from the USITC website.