The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a notice and a press release announcing that, following the receipt of a request from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), it has instituted an investigation under 19 USC 3804(f) regarding the potential economy-wide and selected sectoral effects of the proposed U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and will seek input through a public hearing on December 7, 2005.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a reference manual that provides duty rates for almost every item that exists. It is a system of classifying and taxing all goods imported into the United States. The HTS is based on the international Harmonized System, which is a global standard for naming and describing trade products, and consists of a hierarchical structure that assigns a specific code and rate to each type of merchandise for duty, quota, and statistical purposes. The HTS was made effective on January 1, 1989, replacing the former Tariff Schedules of the United States. It is maintained by the U.S. International Trade Commission, but the Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the HTS.
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has made a preliminary affirmative antidumping (AD) duty determination that certain artist canvas from China is being, or is likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.
On October 31, 2005, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a press release announcing the designation of a new Qualifying Industrial Zone (QIZ) in Egypt and the approval to expand two existing QIZs in Egypt.
Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has posted to its Web site a reminder on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) final rule regarding the registration of food facilities as required by the Bioterrorism Act of 2002. TTB is reminding members of the alcohol industry that: (1) businesses that manufacture, process, pack, or hold alcohol beverages must register with the FDA, (2) alcohol beverage importers must give prior notice of import to the FDA, and (3) industry members must keep certain records. (TTB reminder available at www.ttb.treas.gov)
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has issued a notice announcing that it has determined that certain imports of manmade fiber (MMF) ski and snowboard pants from China do not contribute to the market disruption found in category 647/648 goods, and should not be covered by the 2005 safeguard quota.
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice stating that on September 30, 2005, it received an antidumping (AD) duty petition requesting that an AD investigation be initiated on liquid sulfur dioxide from Canada.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an interim rule, effective October 5, 2005, which it states amends 19 CFR Parts 12, 102, 141, 144, 146 and 163 in order to update, restructure, and consolidate the regulations relating to the country of origin of textile and apparel products.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a message stating that it is vital that CBP employees affected by hurricanes report their location and any change in contact information to the Critical Mission Team regularly at either 1.800.962.0759, 1.888.546.3727 or 202.344.2800. Operating hours of the Team's office are M-F, 0700-1900 EST. (CBP notice dated 10/20/05, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/highlights/hurricane_wilma/ )
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently issued an interim rule which, effective October 5, 2005, eliminated the textile declaration requirement and newly required the Manufacturer Identification Code (MID) for textile and apparel products from all countries to be constructed from the name and address of the entity performing the origin-conferring operations, etc. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/06/05 news 05100605 for Part I of BP's two-part summary of this interim rule.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice announcing the immediate reopening of the FY 2006 refined sugar tariff rate quota (TRQ) for Mexico, due to an increase. The FY 2006 raw sugar TRQ for Mexico has also been increased.