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The WCO Symposium on E-Commerce and Customs Valuation Highlights Key Challenges

By , , and 2 Mins Read

On 15 February 2023, the World Customs Organization (“WCO”) hosted a Symposium on E-Commerce and Customs Valuation. Several key challenges were identified: the fragmentation in the system due to data overload from low level shipments; the consequent shortfalls within data systems and processing; and compliance and enforcement challenges. The sessions provided a high level overview from the WCO and World Trade Organization (“WTO”) of the current scope of challenges and questions to consider, and…

Customs Valuation – New Update from the WCO on Royalties and Licence Fees

By and 1 Min Read

During the latest session of the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation (“TCCV”), the TCCV adopted Advisory Opinion 4.19, a new instrument on royalties and licence fees under Article 8.1(c) of the Customs Valuation Agreement (“CVA”). The new Opinion advises on how a single royalty paid for the right to use or incorporate a patented imported input in the production of a finished product in the country of importation and how the use of a trademark…

Over 56,400 cultural goods seized and 67 arrests made in action involving 31 countries

By 2 Mins Read

On 11 May 2021, the World Customs Organization announced that the 2020 edition of Operation Pandora targeting the illicit trafficking of cultural goods has been the most successful to date with over 56,400 cultural goods seized. These goods include archaeological objects, furniture, coins, paintings, musical instruments and sculptures. Excerpts from the announcement follow: Running from 1 June to 31 October 2020, Operation Pandora V saw the involvement of Customs and other law enforcement authorities from…

US – USITC recommends that the President make certain modifications to the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule Nomenclature

By 2 Mins Read

On May 12, 2021, the US International Trade Commission (USITC) announced that it had issued a report recommending that the President 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 USITC’s report, Recommended Modifications in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, 2021, Inv. No. 1205-13, USITC Publication 5171, March 2021, is available on the USITC web site. The announcement said:…

CBP publishes dates and draft agenda for 67th Session of the WCO HSC

By 1 Min Read

In the March 10, 2021 Customs Bulletin and Decisions, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published the dates and draft agenda for the 67th session of the Harmonized System Committee (HSC) of the World Customs Organization. Due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the next session of the HSC, the 67th, will be held virtually April 12 – 30, 2021. See the Customs Bulletin and Decisions for the Agenda. [Note: In accordance with…

US ITC posts recommended modifications to the HTS

By 2 Mins Read

On November 17, 2020, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed recommendations and solicitation of public comments on Investigation No. 1205-13, Recommended Modifications in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, 2020, which the ITC instituted on October 1, 2019. The ITC’s proposed recommendations relating to Investigation No. 1205-13 have been posted on the ITC Web site. Interested Federal agencies and the public are invited to submit written comments on…

US/WCO – CBP publishes dates and draft agenda of the 66th session of the WCO Harmonized System Committee

By 2 Mins Read

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published the dates and draft agenda for the 66th session of the WCO Harmonized System Committee (HSC) in the October 7, 2020, Customs Bulletin and Decisions. The HSC’s responsibilities include issuing classification decisions on the interpretation of the Harmonized System. Those decisions may take the form of published tariff classification opinions concerning the classification of an article under the Harmonized System or amendments to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized…

WCO/WHO prepare revised classification reference for Covid-19 supplies

By 2 Mins Read

On 9 April 2020, the WCO announced that to respond to the unprecedented demand in medical supplies amid the current global COVID-19 pandemic around the world, and in order to help countries speed up the cross-border movement of these critical products, the WCO and the World Health Organization (WHO) joined hands to strengthen their cooperation by establishing a coordinated approach in their response to the pandemic. As a result of this joint effort of the…

US – USITC begins process to modify the HTS to reflect changes to the HS

By 2 Mins Read

On October 2, 2019, the US International Trade Commission (USITC) announced that it has instituted an investigation that will lead to recommendations to the President on necessary modifications to the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to implement recent amendments to the global Harmonized System (HS). By statute, the USITC is required to recommend to the President modifications to the HTS to conform the HTS to amendments made to the HS. The USITC is instituting this…