The Agricultural Marketing Service is updating its table of Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheadings and assessment rates for imported potatoes and potato products, it said in a final rule. The agency is also amending its regulations on the potato promotion order “eliminating the need to amend the Plan just to update the list of relevant HTS codes.” Finally, AMS is amending its regulations on approved data sources used to determine the number of Potato Board seats and expanding “payment methods used to remit assessments to include electronic submission.” The final rule takes effect May 16.
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 following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of April 4-10:
CBP created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 2209 on April 11 containing 15 Automated Broker Interface records and five Harmonized Tariff Schedule records, it said in a CSMS message. The update includes changes related to reinstated Section 301 tariff exclusions (see 2204050068), CBP said.
President Joe Biden signed into law on April 8 legislation to end permanent normal trade relations status for Russian and Belarusian goods and codify an existing ban on oil from Russia, the White House said. Congress approved the bills April 7 (see 2204070036).
A domestic producer filed petitions March 30 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping duties on preserved mushrooms from France, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD duty investigations. Giorgio Foods requested the investigation.
A California grape grower cooperative seeking the imposition of new antidumping and countervailing duties on white grape juice concentrate, it said in petitions filed with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission March 31. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations, which could result in the imposition of permanent AD/CV duty orders and the assessment of AD and CV duties on importers. Delano Growers Grape Products filed the petition.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of March 28 - April 3:
CBP created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 2208 on April 1, containing 531 Automated Broker Interface records and 114 Harmonized Tariff Schedule records, it said in a CSMS message. The update includes changes related to an agreement on Section 232 tariffs between the U.S. and Japan, as well as "updates to the PGA Message Set. Participating Government Agency (PGA) indicators for FDA, FWS, and AMS were updated," CBP said.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a 35% duty rate for StarKist's tuna salad pouches, agreeing with CBP's preferred Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading, in a March 30 opinion. Upholding the Court of International Trade's opinion, Judges Kimberly Moore, Timothy Dyk and Jimmie Reyna said that the tuna pouches were "not minced" and "in oil," prompting their placement under subheading 1604.14.10.
Rep. Ted Budd, R-N.C., introduced a bill that would increase tariffs an additional 20% on Chinese exports in Sections I through III of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule -- which includes Chapters 1-15 -- if China increases the amount of wheat and barley it's importing from Russia. The bill, released March 22, has no co-sponsors. "By allowing an increase of its purchases of Russian agricultural products, China could effectively be giving a financial lifeline to the Putin regime," Budd said in a news release. "This bill would act as a warning to the Chinese Communist Party that continuing their economic partnership with Russia will have grave consequences.”