The International Trade Commission (ITC) has posted to its Web site the 2005 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTS). The ITC states that this version of the HTS includes changes resulting from the Australia Free Trade Agreement, which becomes effective on January 1, 2005, and many other changes that have occurred since the publication of the 2004 HTS, Supplement 1 in July 2004.
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has published a notice denying a petition submitted on behalf of Bernette Textile Co., LLC. of New York, NY that had alleged that certain colored open end spun yarns, classified in HTS 5206.11.0000 and 5206.12.0000, of certain specifications and ranging in size from 6/1 to 18/1 English count (10.16/1 to 30.47/1 metric) of a blend of reclaimed and reprocessed cotton and acrylic staple fiber, could not be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a notice regarding the cancellation of visa, Electronic Visa Information System (ELVIS) transmissions, Guaranteed Access Level (GAL) certifications, and exempt certifications for textile goods exported on and after January 1, 2005 from 44 World Trade Organization (WTO) members listed in CBP's notice. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/22/04 news, 04122215, for BP summary of CITA's notice announcing this cancellation.)
President Approves Continued AGOA Eligibility for 36 Countries, Adds Burkina Faso, Drops Ivory Coast
The White House has issued a press release stating that on December 21, 2004, President Bush approved the continued designation of the following 36 countries as eligible for tariff preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA):
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an administrative message stating that the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004 (Public Law (P.L.) 108-429) created a wool license requirement for new tariff numbers HTS 9902.51.15 and 9902.51.16.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a final rule in Docket No. 04-12, Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier Service Arrangements, 46 CFR Part 531, which exempts non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) from the tariff publication requirements of the Shipping Act of 1984 (Shipping Act), subject to certain conditions.
On December 3, 2004, President Bush signed into law the conference version of H.R. 1047, the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004 (Public Law (P.L.) 108-429).
On December 20, 2004, President Bush issued Proclamation 7857 to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to implement the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This proclamation is published in the December 23, 2004 Federal Register.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that the 2005 tariff-rate quota (TRQ) on dried milk as provided for in HTS Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note (AUSN) 7 will open on Monday, January 3, 2005 at 12 noon E.S.T., or its equivalent in other time zones with a low-duty quantity of 5,261,000 kg. CBP notes that imports described in HTS Chapter 4, AUSN 7 are subject to agriculture licensing. (See CBP's notice for list of applicable HTS numbers as well as special instructions on (i) when no license is used or presented, and (ii) imports from Canada, Chile, Mexico, Jordan, and Singapore.) (QBT-04-572, dated 12/10/04, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/qbts/QBT2004/04_572.ctt/04_572.doc)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an ABI administrative message informing all filers that any data input into the Importer of Record database (SRE file), on or after December 20, 2004, that is identified as being input as a knowingly invalid record will result in a broker penalty under 19 USC 1641(d) for egregious violation. CBP states that additionally, upon discovery of such false records, CBP personnel will immediately void the identified records to impede any future transactions.