By Jennifer Diaz|2022-12-25T23:20:15-05:00October 14, 2022|AD/CVD, EAR, HTS, Import Alert, International Trade, IRAN, People's Republic of China, Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations, SDN List, Special 301, Trade Policy, U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)|Comments Off on Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot
Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot
Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade law news: 
Bloomberg: Tariff Classification Basics
Diaz Trade Law’s President, Jennifer Diaz, and Associate Attorney, Sharath Patil, are enthusiastic to announce Bloomberg Law published another one of our articles, “Tariff Classification Basics“! Below is the article reproduced with permission for your reading pleasure. You can read the article here (where you’ll have the ability to access all of the great hyperlinks). Please note you cannot click on the hyperlinks below.
We’d love to hear your feedback!
Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot
Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade law news:
Apparel
- Nike has ended 2021 as the most valuable apparel firm globally. According to data presented by FinancePR.com, the American outfit achieved a $30.44 billion valuation in 2021, placing it at the helm of the top ten garment firms worldwide.
CBP
- On November 30, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati seized a shipment containing counterfeit designer jewelry and scarves. The fakes, which came from China, would have been worth a total of $3.09 million had they been genuine.
- On December 6, 2021, a garment importer based in downtown Los Angeles was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for scheming to undervalue imported garments and avoid paying duties to the United States, and failing to report income on tax returns and large cash transactions to the federal government.
- On December 13, 2021, Chris Magnus was sworn in as Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection following his Senate confirmation last week. Magnus becomes the fifth confirmed CBP Commissioner since the law enforcement agency’s creation under DHS in 2003.
- CBP has reorganized all Informed Compliance Publications (ICPs) on CBP.gov under each applicable Center of Excellence and Expertise.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection is modernizing the ACE Secure Data Portal over multiple phases in 2022. The modernization effort will entail the transition of existing functionality to an upgraded platform, offering […]
9801.00.10: Updated Requirements for Returned Goods
Background on HTSUS Subheading 9801.00.10
Ever hear of U.S. goods returned and wondered what it really meant? The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) subheading 9801.00.10 is used for re-importing U.S. made products back into the United States, duty-free. Previously, this classification only covered merchandise originally made in the United States and now reentering the country (hence “US Goods Returned”). In order to qualify for classification under subheading 9801.00.10 and duty-free treatment, these products entering the United States had to be unimproved in condition or value. In other words, the products had to not be subject to further processing abroad. For example, subheading 9801.00.10 may be used when goods are being re-imported as returned product to the seller or for repair. Under subheading 9801.00.10, the importer has the burden to prove their claim for duty-free treatment.
CBP Issues Updated Guidance
On August 20, 2021, subheading 9801.00.10 was expanded to include products which originated from foreign countries. HTSUS subheading 9801.00.10 now states: “Products of the United States when returned after having been exported, or any other products when returned within 3 years after having been exported, without having been advanced in value or improved in condition by any process of manufacture or other means while abroad.” In other words, non-U.S. origin products that are returned to the United States will ALSO qualify for duty-free treatment under subheading 9801.00.10. However, the timing requirements for U.S.-origin and foreign-origin products are different. U.S.-origin products currently have no time limit to file […]
Customs Classification – A Key Component of an Import Compliance Manual
We are often asked by importers to assist in classifying their products under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (“HTS” or “HTSUS”). While seeking assistance from expert counsel is a best practice, under the CBP Modernization Act, an importer of record (“IOR”) is the sole party responsible for determining the correct classification of imported goods (and thereby paying the correct amount of customs duties). An IOR must use reasonable care in classifying its product at the time of entry. Should an importer misclassify their products and not pay the appropriate duties to CBP at the time of importation; the importer is exposing itself to potential CBP penalties under 19 U.S.C. 1592. The process of classifying goods can be a tedious process and may require time and research to arrive at the correct HTSUS number for any one product.
This blog expands our prior blog, Crash Course in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, and provides additional detail on the classification process and tips for importers to use when deciding on a classification its customs broker will declare to CBP. Importers are encouraged to attend the webinar How to Build and Maintain an Effective Import Compliance Plan on October 6, 2021 (and on-demand) for best practices on how to build and maintain an import compliance plan by addressing common risks associated with the import process – including product classification.
USTR Announces China 301 Tariff Exclusion Extensions for COVID-Related Products
On December 29, 2020, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) announced long-awaited extensions to a limited set of previously granted exclusions (for COVID-related products), that were set to expire on December 31, 2020. Meanwhile, importers across non-COVID industries are continuing to await guidance on their tariff exclusion extensions that are set to expire on December 31, 2020.
China Tariff Hike Postponed – USTR to Establish an Exclusion Process – Seminar on “China Tariffs/AD/CVD 101”
The on-going trade war continues as China and the US make progress to come to an agreement. For background information on past actions taken by the Trump Administration to protect American Intellectual Property, check out our previous blogs.
China Tariff Increase is Postponed
President Trump reported in a February 24th tweet that as a result of the “substantial progress” in trade negotiations with China on “important structural issues” he will be delaying the increase from 10 percent to 25 percent in the additional Section 301 tariffs on the List 3 goods (valued at about US$200 billion) that is scheduled to take place on March 2nd. To formalize the extension, the administration will have to publish a Federal Register notice stating the Section 301 additional tariff on the so-called List 3 products will remain at ten percent for now and the notice will likely provide the new date for the tariff increase. To date no formal notice has been published.
Update – Deadline Approaching – A Snapshot of Section 301 Duties & Your Options!
The trade war has kept members in the trade industry on their toes – here is a recap.
Effective Dates:
For importers being hit by additional duties, it is crucial to know when the additional duties are effective and must be paid. USTR has issued three lists under 301 Section Trade Remedies. We urge importers to get to know which list their products are subject to, and develop an action plan. […]