To streamline the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) and the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (TFTEA), the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. Census Bureau have collaborated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in changing HTSUS units of quantity (UOQ), previously marked as “X”, meaning no reporting quantity is required, to specific measurements. This CBP article provides helpful resources to guide shippers through the transition.
Transitioning Measurement Requirements
Effective January 1, 2020, the Schedule B, HTS, and HTS Codes That Are Not Valid for AES tables have been updated to accommodate code changes scheduled for the new year. HTSUS report quantities will now require defined quantities including kilograms (“kg”), numbers (“No.”) among others.
When Do I Need to Switch Over?
It is important to note that the Automated Export System (AES) was programed only to accept shipments featuring outdated codes until the end of January, so all shipments going forward must be compliant. “Fatal errors” will result from reporting outdated codes. It is important to note that “X – No Unit Required” for commodity classification codes is no longer an acceptable Unit of Measure in the AES system effective immediately.
Clients can expect to be contacted regarding quantity verifications so that their import and export filings may remain compliant. If you have any questions about new HTSUS units of quantities or how your shipments will be impacted by this change, contact your Mohawk Global customer service representative.