TradePost Archives > August 10, 2009 > this article

WCO recommended tariff schedule changes slated to take effect Jan. 1, 2012

July 24, 2009
World Trade\Interactive

The World Customs Organization has posted to its Web site a list of recommended amendments to the Harmonized System nomenclature that are scheduled to enter into force Jan. 1, 2012. Affected goods include certain animals and animal products, foods and agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, spices, etc.), chemical substances, wood products, textile products, machinery, furniture and video game consoles (see attached for the full list). These recommendations were adopted by the WCO Council in June and member countries now have six months to register any objections.

The WCO notes that environmental and social issues are a major feature of the 221 recommended amendments, particularly the use of the HS as the standard for classifying and coding goods of specific importance to food security. In the same vein, certain amendments would create additional subheadings for the identification of chemicals and pesticides controlled under the Rotterdam Convention and ozone-depleting substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol.

Other amendments resulted from changes in international trade patterns. These include deleting more than 40 subheadings due to their low volume of trade, separately identifying certain products in either existing or new headings, and reflecting advances in technology where possible.

See document for more information