The World Trade Organization released a new online tool for tracking changes to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) -- the system used to classify traded goods, the WTO said. The HS Tracker was developed with the World Customs Organization and is meant to aid customs officials and traders in preparing for HS amendments set to take effect Jan. 1, 2022.
The Census Bureau Sept. 21 emailed tips on how to address the most frequent messages generated this month in the Automated Export System. Response code 643 is a fatal error for when the reported Schedule B/Harmonized Tariff Schedule Number requires a second quantity to be reported, and that quantity is missing or reported as zero, Census said. The filer should verify the reported quantity, correct the shipment and resubmit.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, in a readout of an Aug. 25 call with Turkey's Trade Minister Mehmet Mus, said that she argued that the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's discussions on international taxation are the best way to resolve the issues that led countries to want to impose digital services taxes. The USTR has said that 32 subheadings of Turkish imports could face tariffs if Turkey imposes a DST. The value of goods on the list imported in 2019 was $310 million.
A proposal to use a carbon border adjustment tax as a pay-for in legislation Congress hopes to pass this fall faces many obstacles, both political and technical. Politically, it must get support from all 50 Democrats in the Senate, including Sen. Joe Manchin, whose home state of West Virginia exports about a third of its coal; in some recent years, coal was about half of all exports from the state.
The Census Bureau Aug. 18 emailed tips on how to address the most frequent messages generated this month in the Automated Export System. Response code 166 is a fatal error for when the mode of transportation is reported as “vessel” and the transportation reference number is missing. The filer should verify the transportation reference number, correct the shipment and resubmit.
The Census Bureau July 19 emailed tips on how to address the most frequent messages generated this month in the Automated Export System. Response code 531 is a fatal error for when the “Foreign/Domestic Origin Indicator” is not allowed. Census said the Foreign/Domestic Origin Indicator should not be reported when the Export Information Code is HH for household goods. The filer should verify the Export Information Code and Foreign/Domestic Origin Indicator, correct the shipment and resubmit.
Several changes to Schedule B numbers took effect July 1 as part of the International Trade Commission’s mid-year update of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (see 2107060053). According to the Census Bureau’s list of obsolete codes, new Schedule B numbers were created for protein concentrates and protein isolates, including pea protein and textured soy protein concentrates and isolates, as well as soy and wheat protein isolates. New numbers were also created for N95 respirator and other face masks, as well as aluminum plates, sheets and strip made to various specifications. Finally, new Schedule B breakouts were also added for “sound suppressors, silencers, mufflers and similar devices” of shotguns, rifles and other military weapons.
Mexico recently amended notes to its tariff schedule to clarify descriptions for imported boys’, girls’ and infants’ footwear, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported July 8. The revisions change the descriptions for shoe sizes. Mexico issued the clarifications because it had not “formally provided size parameters to enable importers to properly classify their goods,” HKTDC said. Many of the tariff lines are subject to prices that “vary significantly,” depending on their classification, the report said.
The Census Bureau May 18 emailed tips on how to address the most frequent messages generated this month in the Automated Export System. Response code 138 is a fatal error for when the port of unlading code is missing. The code must be provided along with all vessel and air shipments between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Census said users must report a valid port of unlading code -- which is for the foreign port where the exported merchandise is unloaded from the exporting carrier -- and resubmit.
The United Arab Emirates updated its tariff schedule after adopting amendments made to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Unified Customs Tariff that passed on Oct. 25, 2020. In a Jan. 21 customs notice, Dubai Customs said the amendments were implemented effective Jan. 1. The UAE modified the description column of two tariff codes, created four new tariff headings and made 65 changes to existing tariff subheadings, KPMG said Feb. 8. The affected commodities are tobacco-related products; electronic products; cocoa powder and other instant preparation drinks with added sugar or sweetener; water, milk and cocoa beverages with added sugar or sweetener; and miscellaneous chemical products.