The HS is the international product naming system that is used to categorize and monitor global trade in goods. The U.S. HTS and the classification systems of 155 other countries are based on the HS, and they are modified to reflect any changes to the HS. The USITC is responsible for maintaining the U.S. HTS.
In this investigation, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will develop proposed modifications to the HTS to reflect the WCO’s amendments to the HS and to reflect a WCO classification opinion regarding blanched peanuts.
The USITC expects to issue preliminary draft modifications to the HTS for public comment in March 2020. Following the public comment period, the USITC will finalize the necessary modifications to the HTS and submit a report to the President in October 2020.