July 28, 2016
News Release 16-099
Inv. No(s). 1205-12
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Recommends that the President Make Certain Modifications in U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule Nomenclature for Certain Fish, Wood and Wood Products, and Bed-Nets of Warp Knit Fabrics

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has recommended to the President that he make certain modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) to conform it with World Customs Organization (WCO) amendments to the global Harmonized System.

The modifications concern the classification of edible fish offal; new subdivisions for coniferous and non-coniferous wood and new HTS subheadings for certain wood of pine, fir, spruce, beech, birch, poplar, aspen, and eucalyptus; and certain bed-nets of warp knit fabrics. 

The USITC’s actions are the latest step in a process that began when WCO officials approved changes to the Harmonized System nomenclature in June 2015.  Countries around the world must incorporate the changes into their own nomenclature systems.  The USITC maintains and updates the HTS, which is the United States' product category system.    

Following expiration of a 60-day layover period before the Congress, the President is authorized to proclaim the modifications to the HTS.  The amendments will enter into force on January 1, 2018.

The Commission’s report, Commission Recommendations to the President to Modify the Tariff Nomenclature in Chapters 3, 44, and 63 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, Inv. No. 1205-12, USITC Publication 4621, July 2016, is available on the USITC web site at:  https://www.usitc.gov/publications/tariff_affairs/pub4621.pdf.

# # #