On July 1, 2020, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) released a major update to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). Revision 14 includes the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), an additional Section 301 exclusion, and changes to the 10-digit statistical suffixes for several goods.

U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)

• New special program indicators (SPIs) of “S” and “S+” are found under General Note 3(c)(i) noting goods eligible for USMCA and indicate special rate of duty for subheadings throughout the tariff schedule.
• “S” is most often used as the SPI, but “S+” is used for products treated differently between Mexico and Canada, such as agricultural tariff rate quota goods, agricultural staging goods, and textile tariff preference level (TPL) goods.
• Additionally, a new General Note 11 was added detailing USMCA rules of origin.

Section 301 Exclusions

• The Section 301 List 3 product exclusion for some motorboats (subheading 8903.92.0065), announced on June 19, is also found in the tariff schedule.

Statistical Reporting Changes

• Changes to 10-digit statistical suffixes were made for various goods, including food, medical, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other products:
  • dried tart cherries, jasmine and basmati rice, and non-organic wine;
  • diagnostic reagents, viral transport media, mobile clinic and radiological vehicles, infrared thermometers;
  • face masks, paper and textile PPE ;
  • disinfectant wipes, crystal glassware, refillable stainless steel kegs, adjustable folding mattress foundation with legs, and collector’s coins.

Other changes include adding Taiwan as a country with organic certifications, correcting the GSP treatment for Thailand, and correcting rules of origin for South Korea, Colombia, and Panama free trade agreements.

Trans-Border will continue to monitor this developing situation and provide updates as needed. If you have any questions, please reach out to at info@tbgfs.com or (800) 493-9444.