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Proc 8771ProclamationObama · D Quiet signal

Proclamation 8771

To Modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States and for Other Purposes

This proclamation modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) to conform to amendments to the international Harmonized System Convention, incorporating by reference technical changes from USITC Publication 4276. It also ensures continuation of previously proclaimed staged duty reductions under free trade agreements with Singapore, Chile, Australia, Morocco, CAFTA-DR countries, Bahrain, Oman, and Peru by making conforming modifications to affected tariff categories.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 413

Impact dates

  1. HTS modifications take effect (30 days after Federal Register publication)

Key directives

  • Modify HTS as set forth in Annex I of USITC Publication 4276, incorporated by reference
  • Continue staged duty reductions for Singapore originating goods per Annex II subsections F1 and F2
  • Continue staged duty reductions for Chile originating goods per Annex II subsections C1 and C2
  • Continue staged duty reductions for Australia originating goods per Annex II subsections A1-A4
  • Continue staged duty reductions for Morocco originating goods per Annex II sections G1-G4
  • Continue staged duty reductions for CAFTA-DR originating goods per Annex II sections D and I
  • Continue staged duty reductions for Bahrain originating goods per Annex II subsections B1 and B2
  • Continue staged duty reductions for Oman originating goods per Annex II subsections E1 and E2
  • Continue staged duty reductions for Peru originating goods per Annex II section H
  • Authorize USTR to fulfill consultation obligations under FTA implementing acts

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation signed December 29, 2011

Near term (90d)

  • HTS modifications take effect 30 days after Federal Register publication (filed January 3, 2012, so approximately early February 2012)
  • Staged duty reductions continue on scheduled dates specified in Annex II of Publication 4276

Long term

  • Ongoing conformity of U.S. tariff schedule with international Harmonized System
  • Continued implementation of multiple bilateral and regional free trade agreement duty reduction schedules

Risks & tensions

  • Technical complexity of tariff modifications may create short-term compliance challenges for customs filers
  • Incorporation by reference of USITC Publication 4276 means full text of changes not in proclamation itself, requiring cross-reference
  • Multiple overlapping FTA duty schedules with different implementation dates create administrative complexity
  • Supersession clause (section 11) may create uncertainty about specific prior provisions affected
Proclamation 8771: To Modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States and for Other Purposes · Executive Orders