House-Passed Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Bill (Part III)
On March 15, 2006, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4944, the "Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2006" (Act) by a vote of 412 - 2.
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This is Part III of a multi-part series of summaries of H.R. 4944 and highlights the HTS Chapter 99 temporary duty suspension/reduction provisions of the bill.
After its passage by the House, H.R. 4944 was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Senate Finance Committee, which press sources state will develop a Senate version of a Miscellaneous Trade Bill.
New Temporary HTS Chapter 99 Duty Suspension/Reduction Provisions
A number of new, temporary Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Chapter 99 duty suspension or duty reduction provisions are contained in H.R. 4944. Most of these new provisions would provide for a free or reduced rate of duty through December 31, 2009. Subject products that are other than chemical products include (partial list):
| Certain non-knit gloves for use by auto mechanics |
| Certain microphones |
| Certain footwear |
| Certain capers |
| Certain pepperoncini prepared or preserved |
| Acrylic or modacrylic synthetic staple fibers |
| Acrylic or modacrylic synthetic filament tow |
| Nylon woolpacks used to package wool |
| Hydraulic control units |
| Shield asy-steering gear |
| Certain master cylinder assemblies |
| Certain transaxles |
| Converter asy |
| Module and bracket asy-power steering |
| Unit asy-battery hi volt |
| Certain articles of natural cork |
| Certain acrylic fiber tow |
| Certain machines for use in assembly of motorcycle wheels |
| Certain glass thermo bulbs |
| Cosmetic bags with flexible outer surface |
| Certain cases for toys |
| Certain automotive catalytic converter mats |
| Certain camel hair |
| Waste of camel hair |
| Woven fabric of vicuna hair |
| Noils of camel hair |
Extension of Existing HTS Chapter 99 Temporary Suspension/Reduction Provisions Proposed
In addition, H.R. 4944's provisions would extend certain existing duty suspensions and duty reductions in HTS Chapter 99 through December 31, 2009. These extensions mostly affect chemicals, but also include certain high-tenacity yarn of viscose rayon, certain bags for toys, cases for certain children's products, certain 12V lead-acid storage batteries, certain R-core transformers, certain filament yarns, yarn of combed Kashmir (cashmere) or yarn of camel hair, certain semi-manufactured forms of gold, and cathode ray tubes.
In addition, H.R. 4944 would modify and extend certain other existing HTS Chapter 99 provisions, including a provision on certain yarn of carded Kashmir (cashmere) and certain educational devices (in addition to the provisions for various chemicals).
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/24/06 and 03/29/06 news, 06032405 and 06032905, for Parts I and II.)
H.R. 4944 as passed by the House available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h4944eh.txt.pdf.
House Ways and Means press release on passage of H.R. 4944 (dated 03/15/06) available at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/News.asp?FormMode=release&ID=381.