2022 HTS Paper: Part 0 (Introduction)
The broadest set of changes to tariff classification in five years is set to take effect toward the end of January, as the latest set of amendments to the World Customs Organization's Harmonized System tariff nomenclature is implemented in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. Announced by a presidential proclamation published Dec. 28, the changes are slated to take effect 30 days after that, on Jan. 27. The changes are detailed in an annex to the proclamation published as a report by the International Trade Commission in December.
Used by over 200 countries, including the U.S., as the basis for their national tariff schedules, the tariff nomenclature, which governs classification at the four-digit and six-digit levels, is updated every five years by members of the WCO Harmonized Convention, and was last updated in 2017. The WCO has published correlation tables between the 2017 and 2022 versions of the HS nomenclature, which also detail some of the reasoning behind the changes.
Among the broadest changes in the 2022 tariff schedule are ones that affect classification in Chapter 85, including new tariff provisions for solar-powered generators, smartphones, flat-panel displays, LED light sources and electrical and electronic waste and scrap. Chapter 84 also sees numerous changes, including a new separate heading for additive manufacturing machines (3D printers).
Vaping and other tobacco delivery devices are given a separate heading in Chapter 24. A litany of new subheadings for ozone-depleting substances are added to the tariff schedule, as are provisions for tropical wood and other kinds of lumber and laminated wood products. Electric cargo vehicles are now provided for in Chapter 87, and drones in Chapter 88. Other major changes affect classification of LED lighting and cultural articles.
International Trade Today’s guide to the 2022 HTS outlines and explains noteworthy changes in the new edition. Where goods of two different chapters are affected, changes are explained in this guide in order according to the new classification under the 2022 version of the tariff schedule. An index is included at the end of this guide for readers to search for specific products.