On December 28, 2021, the new HTSUS codes were updated with approximately 350 products and product groups, to conform to the World Customs Organization recommendation from June 28, 2019. Taking effect on January 27, 2022, these modifications included article descriptions as well as heading and subheading numbers. These changes modify section notes, chapter notes, general notes, and additional US notes to the HTSUS code system, while others will replace the existing codes entirely.
Publication No: 5240 has all the details of the HTSUS modifications and can be viewed by importers for any changes that need to be made to their paperwork and cargo. Some of the important changes will still allow for one of the following:
- Continuation of duty free access until December 31, 2022 for certain agricultural products of Israel
- Continuation of duty treatment as to actions taken pursuant to Section 301 Trade Tariff Act of 1974
- Correction of certain technical errors to provide for the intended tariff treatment accorded to certain goods from Columbia and Singapore
- Continuation of staged duty reductions for good under free trade agreements with the Dominican Republic-Central America, Peru, South Korea, Colombia, Panama, Canada, and Mexico
Importers with product libraries, landed cost calculations and other automated tools for compliance and recordkeeping should reach out to their Sobel representative and determine whether or not any numbers or duty rates have changed and update those records accordingly. If an HTS and duty rate changed adversely to a higher rate, speak with us to find out if the new classification and duty rate warrants contesting through a ruling request or by filing a protest.
