An importer may retroactively claim Generalized System of Preferences benefits on entries it originally misclassified in a subheading not eligible for GSP, and may do so in a latter responding to the CBP notice of action pointing out that misclassification, CBP said in a recent ruling. At agency headquarters on a request for further review, CBP directed its Port of Houston in HQ H291254 to grant Seatex’s protest and allow the importer GSP benefits for entries during the 2013-15 GSP lapse.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for March 19-23 in case they were missed.
The International Trade Commission on March 23 issued Revision 2 to the 2018 Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The main reason for the update was to implement new Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel products (see 1803230060). The ITC also made technical corrections and changes related to recently imposed Section 201 safeguard duties on solar cells and residential washers. The changes, most of which took effect March 23, are as follows:
The spending bill that covers the rest of the fiscal year, through Sept. 30, became law March 23, bringing with it a renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (see 1803010003). At the bill-signing news conference, President Donald Trump railed against the omnibus, saying, "there are a lot of things I'm unhappy about in this bill. I will never sign another bill like this again."
Omnibus government spending legislation that includes provisions to renew the Generalized System of Preferences was passed in the House, the House Committee on Appropriations said in a March 22 news release. The GSP tariff reductions will apply to articles entered on and after the 30th day after the omnibus is enacted. The Senate is expected to pass the bill March 23 or 24. However, the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, which House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, had said should go on the omnibus, was not included. The MTB expired in 2012, and covers intermediate inputs for manufacturers that are not available domestically. Many in Washington have low expectations for legislative action in the Senate until after the November elections.
President Donald Trump signed a memorandum March 22 instructing the U.S. Trade Representative to ready a list of goods imported from China that will be subject to tariffs because of that country's policies of forced technology transfer, forced joint ventures, intellectual property theft and technology licensing restrictions.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of March 12-18:
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for March 12-16 in case they were missed.
The path forward for Miscellaneous Tariff Bill and Generalized System of Preferences renewals remains uncertain despite some hope that both could be part of the omnibus funding bill that has to pass before March 23. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said nothing concrete on whether on the bills will pass this month. "I'd like to see action on both of those, because there's such bipartisan support here in the House," he said when asked if they will be part of the omnibus.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Feb. 12-16 in case they were missed.