In Zomax Optical Media, Inc. v. U.S., the Court of International Trade (CIT) considered the classification of a digital mastering system imported in 1997 to manufacture CDs and DVDs that was purchased as a single operating unit under a single commercial invoice but was split by the carrier during shipment. The CIT concurred with Zomax that the system was properly classified under HTS 8479.89.85 as a machine for the manufacturing of video laser discs (duty-free).
Customs duty
A customs duty is a tariff or tax which a country imposes on goods when they are transported across international borders. Customs Duties are used to protect countries' economies, residents, jobs, and environments, by limiting the flow of imported merchandise, especially restricted and prohibited goods, into the country. The Customs duty rate is a percentage determined by the value of the article purchased in the foreign country and not based on quality, size, or weight. U.S. customs duties are listed in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a reminder on the June 7, 2005 opening of the fourth global specialty sugar tariff rate quota (TRQ) for the October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005 period.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has issued a news flash regarding China's export duties (also referred to as tariffs or taxes) on certain textiles and clothing, which is transcribed below:
The Wall Street Journal reports that despite the threat of steep tariffs and other trade barriers, retailers are still flocking to China to buy garments. Some hope to buy before more protectionist barriers kick in on some clothing categories. Others plan to source in China during "window periods," the time after one safeguard quota ends, and another on the same category begins. The article adds that foreign buyers should have more room to buy from China in 2006, as quotas imposed in 2006 would be calculated from a larger 12-month base, due to the sharp rise in imports during the first five months of 2005. (WSJ, dated 05/27/05, www.wsj.com )
According to a Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) notice, the Chinese Ministry of Finance (MOFCOM) has announced that on June 1, 2005, China will raise export duties on 39 broad textile and clothing categories covering a total of 74 items.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an ABI administrative message advising the trade on the ABI system requirements needed to file a U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (Morocco FTA) claim.
CIT rules that market, not FDA or courts, recognizes a dietary supplement as therapeutic. In Inabata Specialty Chemicals v. U.S., the Court of International Trade (CIT) agreed with the importer and ruled that chondroitin sulfate (CS) entered in bulk powder form and packaged for retail sale as a dietary supplement according to FDA requirements, is classified under HTS 3001.90.0000 (duty-free) as other human or animal substances prepared for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, not elsewhere specified or included.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the low-duty Tariff Preference Level (TPL) (1) for Mexico filled on May 9, 2005 at 1:40 p.m.
CIT rules unused country-specific quotas for ice cream must be reallocated. In Pillsbury Company v. U.S., the Court of International Trade (CIT) ruled that with respect to the tariff rate quota (TRQ) imposed on ice cream, Customs is required to reallocate to the "common pool" of entries any unused, country-specific quotas.
According to a columnist in the Washington Post's business section, the sugar lobby has come out against the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), in a bid to finally get sugar off the negotiating table once and for all, and preserve their tariffs and import quotas that cost Americans at least $1 billon a year in subsidies and artificially high sugar prices. (Washington Post, 05/11/05, www.washingtonpost.com )