Understanding the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a key resource for understanding international trade, particularly for imports into the United States. As the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) website describes, the "Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States sets out the tariff rates and statistical categories for all merchandise imported into the U.S. The HTS is based on the international Harmonized System, the global system of nomenclature applied to most world trade in goods."

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. 37th Edition 2025 is currently available from the U.S. Government Bookstore and is the primary source for exporters.

Key Functions of the HTS:

• Classification:
  • The HTS assigns a unique 10-digit code to each product based on its characteristics.
  • This code determines the applicable duty rate and any special requirements for the import process.
• Duty Rates:
  • The HTS specifies the tariff rate (tax) that must be paid on imported goods.
  • These rates vary depending on the product category, country of origin, and applicable trade agreements.
• Statistics:
  • The HTS helps track import data by classifying goods into specific categories.
  • This information is crucial for analyzing trade patterns and economic trends.

Understanding the HTS is essential for businesses importing goods into the U.S. It helps them determine their products' classification, calculate potential import duties, and ensure smooth passage through customs.

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

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• Click here to purchase Harmonized Tariff Schedules of the Annotated for Statistical Reporting Purposes 37th Edition 2025

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About the author: Blogger contributor Trudy Hawkins is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO's Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at 4:50 pm and is filed under Business, U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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