Tariffs Archives | Customs & International Trade Law Blog

Upcoming Webinar: Basics of U.S. Tariff Classification (HTSUS)

Did you know the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTSUS) can be difficult to navigate, and importers often either don’t even know what HTSUS is, or strictly rely on customs brokers for this number, not realizing it is an importers responsibility and liability should be HTSUS be incorrect. Now, especially, with 301 duties in place, ensuring you have the right HTSUS is more important than ever.

Ensure you’re informed and updated on classification and binding rulings and register for Diaz Trade Law’s webinar “Basics on Tariff Classification“ taking place on May 12, 2022. This one-hour webinar will provide insights into the importance of CBP Rulings for classification and binding rulings in ensuring compliance when importing into the United States. The presenter will provide an overview of the process of how to receive a final classification and binding ruling from CBP as well as TOP tips on when it may be advantageous to do so.

Register today to hear directly from DTL’s president, Jennifer Diaz as she teaches attendees about the fundamental in ensuring compliance when it comes to classification along with the new HTSUS changes in 2022.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2022-05-02T19:11:02-04:00April 28, 2022|Best Practices, Events, Export, Import, International Trade, Speaking, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

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!

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By Jennifer Diaz|2022-04-25T16:09:29-04:00January 26, 2022|Bloomberg, Bloomberg Import, HTS, Import, International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

Diaz Trade Law Invites the Trade Community to Two Free Webinars this Summer!

Celebrate the summer season with two light hearted webinars on International Trade. Diaz Trade Law invites the trade community to two FREE webinars; space is limited – register today! Laugh with us at the Humor in International Trade webinar and learn insightful facts about the impact of international trade on American history during The First Laws — History of Customs and Revenue Law. More information about each webinar is provided below:

Can We Find Humor in International Trade? – July 14, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET

This one-hour webinar describes humor in trade. International Trade is a serious subject, but within it, bits of humor can be found. Register today to hear from this experienced duo and discover many of the oddities and idiosyncrasies prevalent in our modern-day international trade system.

President and Founder of Diaz Trade Law, Jennifer (Jen) Diaz is a Chambers ranked, Board Certified International Attorney specializing in customs and international trade.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-07-12T11:19:01-04:00July 12, 2021|Customs Expert, Events, Import, International Business, International Law, International Trade, International Travel, Speaking, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Department of State (DOS)|Comments Off

Potential Relief from China Tariffs Coming

Background on Section 301 Tariffs

A key element of the U.S.-China trade war, initiated under the Trump administration and continuing through Biden’s first term, was the imposition of China tariffs under Section 301. Section 301 is a mechanism via which the President can retaliate against foreign countries that violate U.S. trade agreements or engage in acts that are “unjustifiable” or “unreasonable” and burden U.S. commerce. With regard to China, the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) found that China’s acts, policies, and practices related to intellectual property and innovation are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce. Accordingly, a broad set of tariffs were instituted. Section 301 tariffs for goods originating from China have been so expansive that U.S. Customs revenue has nearly doubled from $41.6 billion in FY 2018 to $71.9 billion in FY 2019 and $74.4 billion in FY 2020.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-07T14:51:06-04:00June 7, 2021|301 INVESTIGATIONS, ACE, China, China Trade War, Customs Expert, Import, International Trade, Trade Policy, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)|Comments Off

USCIT Invalidates 232 Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Derivatives

Background on Section 232 Aluminum and Steel Tariffs

Section 232 investigations, administered by the U.S. Commerce Department, are conducted to determine the imports of certain goods on national security. Historically, Section 232 investigations have been conducted regarding U.S. imports of crude oil and petroleum products and uranium, among other critical imports. Under the Trump administration, the Commerce Department initiated investigations of U.S. imports of aluminum and steel on April 27, 2017. The investigation resulted in an affirmative determination that such imports harm U.S. national security. As a result of the investigation’s findings, Trump imposed tariffs on certain U.S. imports of aluminum and steel on national security grounds. An exclusion process was also implemented in which U.S. importers could apply for tariffs to be excluded for certain steel and aluminum product imports.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-07T14:58:19-04:00April 29, 2021|Enforcement, Import, Pre-compliance, Reasonable Care, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)|1 Comment

Proposed 25% Tariffs on Section 301 Digital Service Taxes – Comment Now

Background on Section 301 Digital Service Taxes

In 2020, the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) initiated Section 301 investigations with respect to certain Digital Service Taxes (“DSTs”) being adopted or under consideration by a number of countries. DSTs are taxes on revenues that certain companies generate from providing certain digital services to users in those jurisdictions. According to USTR, available evidence suggests that DSTs are expected to target large, U.S.-based technology companies.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-12T14:40:02-04:00April 1, 2021|301 INVESTIGATIONS, Enforcement, Import, International Trade, Investigation, Trade Policy, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)|Comments Off

INVESTING IN THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY? – WHY HAITI.

Despite Haiti’s challenging socio-economic, as well as political climate, Haiti remains one of the most open economies of the Caribbean seeking foreign direct investment (FDI). Haiti’s legislation encourages such FDI with the assurance that the same rights, privileges, and equal protection are provided to local and foreign companies. The current president of Haiti established and announced “Seven Priority Axes” for the development of Haiti. One of which is in the electricity (e.g., Hydro, Solar, Natural Gas and, of course, Petroleum) sector.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-07T12:21:44-04:00November 2, 2020|Best Practices, Caribbean Basin Initiative, Customs Expert, Freight Forwarding, International Business, International Trade, Reasonable Care, Supply Chain, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

China Tariff Update – List 2 Exclusions Extended

If you import goods subject to List 2/Tranche 2 China tariffs, read on!

Background:

Effective August 23, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional 25 percent duties on goods of China classified in 279 eight-digit subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), with an approximate annual trade value of $16 billion. See 83 FR 40823 for List 2; the $16 billion action. The U.S. Trade Representative’s determination included a decision to establish a process by which U.S. stakeholders could request exclusion of particular products classified within an eight-digit HTSUS subheading covered by the $16 billion action from the additional duties. The U.S. Trade Representative issued a notice setting out the process for the product exclusions and opened a public docket. See 83 FR 47236 (the September 18 notice).

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-22T10:10:26-04:00July 31, 2020|China, China Trade War, Import, International Business, International Law, International Trade, IPR, Trademarks and Logos, Supply Chain, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)|2 Comments

USTR Seeks Comments on China Section 301 Product Exclusion Extensions & Enforcement of U.S. WTO Rights in Large Civil Aircraft Dispute

The USTR has been active over the last couple of months in granting exclusions and extending certain exclusions that were scheduled to expire. USTR continues to seek comments from industry to determine its next steps. This blog is a snap-shot of the USTR’s comment and exclusion request docket. Currently USTR is seeking comments on the Enforcement of U.S. WTO Rights in Large Civil Aircraft Dispute and China Section 301 Product Exclusion Extensions. Here is the breakdown:

ENFORCEMENT OF U.S. WTO RIGHTS IN LARGE CIVIL AIRCRAFT DISPUTE

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-03-26T12:23:50-04:00June 29, 2020|Best Practices, China, China Trade War, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Import, International Business, International Law, International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

Section 301 Tariff Updates: USTR Grants Exclusions & Seeks Comments on Products Necessary to Combat COVID-19!

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), faced with the current COVID-19 pandemic, has moved quickly to grant numerous exclusion requests in March 2020; many of which are for medical supplies. USTR is also seeking comments from industry on whether products are necessary to combat COVID-19 spread and should be excluded from the additional duties. DTL has assisted clients in submitting comments to the USTR – this is the time to let your voice be heard.

Below is a chart summarizing recent changes to Section 301 Tariffs:

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By Jennifer Diaz|2020-03-28T10:33:28-04:00March 28, 2020|China, China Trade War, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off