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Census Announces New Schedule B Commodity Search Tool

The Census Bureau has posted a notice announcing that a new search tool is available to assist exporters and filers determine their correct export commodity code (Schedule B number).

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Current Keyword Search Does Not Apply to All Classifications

Census states that although every physical product is classifiable in the Schedule B nomenclature, not every item can be classified using the current, keyword-based search. This, along with ever more complex and diverse products makes determining the correct export classification code difficult, and also can result in the misclassification of exports.

New Search to Eliminate Classification Complexity, Reduce Classification Time

According to Census, the new search can understand and interpret common commercial product information, and it interacts intelligently and intuitively with users to eliminate classification complexity.

Census also hopes for the new search to cut down on the time it takes to classify products and provide more accurate and consistent results that ultimately will improve the quality of trade statistics.

Keyword-Based Search Engine to be Retired on April 30

Census states that the current keyword-based search engine will be retired on April 30, 2010.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/05/10 news, 10010520, for BP summary of Census' announcement that 2010 Schedule B and HTS numbers have been implemented in AES.)

Schedule B search tool available at http://www.census.gov/scheduleb

Census notice (dated 03/05/10) available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/notices/20100305_schedulebsearch.html