[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 117 (Friday, June 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32915-32919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15453]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Technical Corrections to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the 
United States

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Technical corrections to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the 
United States.

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SUMMARY: The United States Trade Representative (the USTR) is modifying 
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the united States (HTS) as set forth 
in the annex to this notice, pursuant to authority granted by Congress 
to the President in section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) 
and delegated to the USTR in Presidential Proclamation No. 6969 of 
January 27, 1997 (62 FR 4415). These modifications will correct errors 
resulting from various proclamations, make conforming changes that were 
inadvertently omitted from prior actions, correct typographical errors 
and make technical rectifications to the HTS to ensure that the 
intended tariff treatment is accorded to the products at issue.

ADDRESSES: Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th 
Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20508.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Chattin, Director for Tariff 
Affairs, (202) 395-5097, or William Busis, Associate General Counsel, 
(202) 395-3150.

[[Page 32916]]

Explanation of Technical Corrections

    This notice makes several technical corrections to and 
rectifications of the HTS to remedy omissions, misspellings, or other 
errors included in previously issued proclamations, or to make 
conforming changes in HTS provisions to reflect previously proclaimed 
modifications to the HTS and to otherwise rectify the HTS to ensure 
that the previously proclaimed tariff treatment is accorded. The 
modification made in each provision of the annex is explained in turn.
    The action designated as section A modifies the HTS effective on 1/
1/89 to correct a typographical error.
    The action designated as section B modifies the HTS effective on 6/
7/91 by deleting obsolete provisions proclaimed pursuant to an action 
under section 201 of the Trade Act (on wood shakes and shingles) set 
forth in Proclamation 5498 of June 6, 1986. The date of the termination 
of the temporary duty increases was June 6, 1991.
    The action designated as section C modifies the HTS effective on 1/
1/94 to correct an omission in a Federal Register notice of December 
29, 1997. The notice redesignated subparagraph (d) of U.S. note 3 to 
subchapter II of chapter 98 as subparagraph (e), but it failed to 
modify the article description of subheading 9802.00.60 which refers to 
``U.S. note 3(d)''.
    The action designated as section D modifies the HTS effective on 1/
1/95 (to correct actions originally proclaimed in Proclamation 6763 of 
December 23, 1994 (Uruguay Round Proclamation)) as follows: The action 
in subparagraph (1) deletes the sugar quota quantities set forth in 
additional U.S. note 7(a)(i) of chapter 17, as the quantities do not 
accurately reflect the quotas, which are established and published in 
the Federal Register by USDA and USTR for each fiscal year.
    The action in subparagraph (2) deletes the chemical name ``4,4-
Benzidine-2,2'-disulfonic acid'' from subheading 2921.42.36. The 
current provision is both an erroneous spelling and inappropriate 
tariff classification of that chemical. The correct spelling for the 
chemical is ``4,4'-Benzidine-2,2'-disulfonic acid.'' This chemical is 
already provided for in the appropriate subheading 2921.59.17 with no 
change in duty rate.
    The action in subparagraph (3) corrects the nomenclature of the HTS 
to properly provide for the classification of a chemical ``dl-Hydroxy 
analog of dl-methionine''. The chemical is currently provided for in 
subheading 2930.90.70, which provides duty-free treatment for this 
chemical and other chemical that in the hierarchal system of the HTS 
are defined as not being acids. However, ``dl-Hydroxy * * *'' is an 
acid and should be classified in subheading 2930.90.45. To continue to 
provide for duty-free treatment for this chemical, subheadings 
2930.90.45 and subheading 2930.90.70 are modified to properly classify 
this chemical.
    The action in subparagraph (4) corrects a typographical error.
    The action in section E modifies the HTS effective on 1/1/96 (to 
correct actions originally proclaimed in Proclamation 6857 of December 
11, 1995) as follows: The action in subparagraph (1) corrects a 
typographical error.
    The action in subparagraph (2) corrects an omission of a conforming 
change in the article description of subheading 8540.99.40. The 
proclamation renumbered subheadings 8540.41 through 8540.49 as 8540.71 
through 8540.79, but failed to modify the article description of 
subheading 8540.99.40, which refers to ``subheadings 8540.41 through 
8540.49''.
    The action designated as section F modifies the HTS effective on 7/
15/96 by deleting provisions of an action under section 301 of the 
Trade Act (concerning an EC meat hormone directive) set forth in 
Proclamation 5759 of December 24, 1987. The USTR terminated these 
actions effective July 15, 1996 when the United States initiated 
proceedings in the World Trade Organization (WTO) to pursue the issue.
    The action designated as section G modifies the HTS effective on 
10/31/96 to correct an omission of a conforming change in the language 
of general note 15(e). Proclamation 6948 of October 29, 1996 modified 
the HTS by providing for six additional subheadings 9903.52.21 through 
9903.52.26 following 9903.52.20 but failed to modify general note 
15(e), which refers to ``subheadings 9903.52.00 through 9903.52.20, 
inclusive.''.
    The action designated as section H modifies the HTS effective on 5/
31/97 to provide for Generalized System of Preference (GSP) status for 
Least Developed Beneficiary Developing Countries (LDBDC) in the Rates 
of Duty-1 Special subcolumn for subheading 2930.90.49. Section D(3) of 
this annex, effective January 1, 1995, renumbers subheading 2930.90.45 
as 2930.90.49. Subheading 2930.90.45 was granted GSP LDBDC preferential 
status on May 31, 1997. This section continues the same preferential 
treatment to subheading 2930.90.49.
    The action designated as section I modifies the HTS effective on 7/
1/97 to correct an error in the Rates of Duty-1 Special subcolumn for 
subheading 8507.90.75. Proclamation 7011 of June 30, 1997 modified the 
HTS by subdividing subheading 8504.90.70 into subheadings 8504.90.65 
and 8504.90.75. Subheading 8504.90.75 was indicated incorrectly as 
being eligible for duty-free treatment under the Agreement on Trade in 
Civil Aircraft. Subheading 8504.90 is not covered by that Agreement.
    The action designated as section J modifies the HTS effective on 1/
1/98 to delete obsolete provisions in subchapter VI of chapter 99. 
These provisions provided for temporary duty-free treatment for Mexican 
NAFTA goods for subheadings in chapters 1 through 97 which were subject 
to Mexican NAFTA staging. On 1/1/98 the appropriate subheadings in 
chapter 1 through 97 became free of duty for Mexico under NAFTA.
    The action designated as section K modifies the HTS effective on 8/
1/98 to correct an omission of a conforming change. Proclamation 7113 
of July 1, 1998 deleted subheadings 9906.55.02 and 9906.56.01, which 
made U.S. notes 26 to 27 to subchapter VI of chapter 99 unnecessary.
    The action designated as section L modifies the HTS effective on 
12/3/98 to correct an omission of a conforming change in the Rates of 
Duty-1 Special subcolumn for subheadings 9603.10.50 and 9603.10.60. 
Proclamation 7154 of December 3, 1998 terminated the temporary duties 
on imports of broom corn brooms and restored Normal Trade Relations 
(NTR) and NAFTA treatment, but failed to restore explicitly the duty-
free treatment under CBERA, Andean Trade Preference Act and for the 
LDBDC's under GSP.
    The action designated as section M modifies the HTS effective on 1/
1/99 as follows: The action in subparagraph (1) deletes provisions and 
countries in general note 4(d) which are no longer valid as country 
exclusions under the GSP because the provisions became NTR free on 1/1/
99. All special program preferences for such provisions pursuant to 
general note 3(c)(iv) of the HTS have been deleted.
    The action in subparagraph (2) modifies additional U.S. note 3 to 
chapter 2 to reflect the status of Argentina and Uruguay as being 
eligible to import certain quota amounts of beef.
    The action in subparagraph (3) corrects an omission of a conforming 
change. Proclamation 7011 of June 30, 1997 modified the nomenclature of 
the HTS for certain subheadings, but failed

[[Page 32917]]

to modify additional U.S. note 1 to chapter 84 to reflect the 
modifications.
    The action in subparagraph (4) deletes obsolete provisions in 
subchapter VI of Chapter 99. These provisions provided for temporary 
duty-free treatment for Mexican NAFTA goods for subheadings in chapters 
1 through 97 which were subject to Mexican NAFTA staging. On 
1/1/99 the appropriate subheadings in chapter 1 through 97 became free 
of duty for Mexico under NAFTA.
    The action in subparagraph (5) deletes obsolete provisions in 
subchapter VII of chapter 99. These provisions provided for temporary 
duty-free or reductions of the NTR rate for subheadings in chapters 1 
through 97 which were subject to Uruguay Round staging. On 1/1/99 the 
NTR rate for the appropriate subheadings in chapter 1 through 97 became 
equivalent to the provision in subchapter VII of chapter 99, thereby 
making the provisions in chapter 99 unnecessary.
    The action designated as section N modifies the HTS, effective upon 
publication of this notice, to reclassify and continue to provide duty-
free treatment to certain PC/TV printed circuit boards. Proclamation 
7011 of June 30, 1997 provided duty-free treatment for the subject PC/
TV printed circuit boards (cards). Pursuant to previous rulings, 
Customs has classified the subject PC/TV cards in subheading 8473.30.40 
(now subheading 8473.30.10) as accessories of automatic data processing 
machines. It has since been concluded, however, that the PC/TV cards 
should instead be classified in subheading 8528.12.96. This action will 
continue the duty-free treatment currently provided these products.
Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky,
United States Trade Representative.

Annex--Technical Rectifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule 
of the United States (``HTS'')

    Effective on the dates as listed in this Annex, the HTS is 
modified as provided for in the sections of this Annex.
    Section A. Effective January 1, 1989, the article description of 
heading 7314.00 is modified by deleting ``Stranded wire cables, 
plaited bands'' and inserting ``Stranded wire, cables, plaited 
bands'' in lieu thereof.
    Section B. Effective June 7, 1991, subchapter III to chapter 99 
is modified by deleting subheadings 9903.44.10, 9903.44.24, 
9903.44.28 and 9903.44.32 and the superior text to subheading 
9903.44.10 which reads ``Wood shingles and shakes of western red 
cedar provided for in subheading 4418.50:''.
    Section C. Effective January 1, 1994, the article description of 
subheading 9802.00.60 is modified by deleting ``defined in note 3(d) 
of this subchapter'' and inserting ``defined in note 3(e) of this 
subchapter'' in lieu thereof.
    Section D. Effective January 1, 1995:
    (1) Additional U.S. note 7(a)(i) to chapter 17 of the HTS is 
modified by deleting ``, not less than 1,117,195 metric tons,'' and 
by deleting ``, not less than 22,000 metric tons,''.
    (2) The article description of subheading 2921.42.36 is modified 
by deleting the chemical name ``4,4-Benzidine-2,2'-disulfonic 
acid''.
    (3) The HTS is modified by deleting subheadings 2930.90.45 and 
2930.90.70 and inserting the following as provided in this 
paragraph. These provisions supersede matter now in the HTS. 
Bracketed matter is included to assist in the understanding of 
proclaimed modifications. The subheadings and superior text are set 
forth in columnar format, and material in such columns is inserted 
in the columns of the HTS designed ``Heading/Subheading'', ``Article 
Description'', ``Rates of Duty 1 General'', ``Rates of Duty 1 
Special'', and ``Rates of Duty 2'', respectively.

             [Orange-sulfur compounds:]
               [Other:]
                 [Other:]
                   [Other:]
                     ``Acids:
 2930.90.46            dl-Hydroxy        Free                    ......................................     25%
              analog of dl-methionine.
 2930.90.49            Other...........  4.2%                    Free (CA, E, IL, J, K, MX)                25%''
                     [Other:]
``2930.90.7            Dibutylthiourea.  Free                    ......................................    25%''
           1
 

    (4) The Intermediate Chemicals For Dyes Appendix to the HTS is 
modified by deleting ``Benzeneamine, 2-(triflouromethyl)-'' and 
inserting ``Benezeneamine, 2-(trifluoromethyl)-'' in lieu thereof.
    Section E. Effective January 1, 1996:
    (1). Note 7(A) to chapter 48 of the HTS is modified by deleting 
``Headings 4801, 4802, 4804 to 4808 and 4811'' and inserting 
``Headings 4801, 4802, 4804 to 4808, 4810 and 4811'' in lieu 
thereof.
    (2) The article description of subheading 8540.99.40 is modified 
by deleting ``of subheadings 8540.41 through 8540.49'' and inserting 
``of subheadings 8540.71 through 8540.79'' in lieu thereof.
    Section F. Effective July 15, 1996, subchapter III of chapter 99 
is modified by:
    (1) Deleting ``subheadings 9903.23.10, 9903.23.14, and 
9903.23.18,'' from the language of U.S. note 5; and
    (2) Deleting subheadings 9903.23.00 through 9903.23.35, 
inclusive, including the superior text to subheading 9903.23.00 and 
the superior to subheading 9903.23.17.
    Section G. Effective October 31, 1996, general note 15(e) to the 
HTS is modified by deleting ``9903.52.20'' and inserting 
``9903.52.26'' in lieu thereof.
    Section H. Effective May 31, 1997, the Rates of Duty 1-Special 
subcolumn for subheading 2930.90.49 is modified by inserting the 
symbol ``A+,'', in alphabetical order, in the parentheses following 
the ``Free'' rate of duty in such subcolumn.
    Section I. Effective July 1, 1997, the Rates of Duty 1-Special 
subcolumn for subheading 8504.90.75 is modified by deleting the 
symbol ``C,'' in the parentheses following the ``Free'' rate of duty 
in such subcolumn.
    Section J. Effective January 1, 1998, subchapter VI to chapter 
99 is modified by:
    (1) Deleting the following subheadings:

9906.29.03
9906.29.21
9906.29.22
9906.29.23
9906.29.33
9906.64.01
9906.87.03
9906.87.04

    (2) Deleting the superior text to subheading 9906.87.01 which 
reads ``Provided for in subheading 8704.10.50, 8704.22.50, 
8704.23.00, 8704.32.00 or 8704.90.00:'' and inserting ``Provided for 
in subheading 8704.22.50, 8704.23.00, 8704.32.00 or 8704.90.00:'' in 
lieu thereof.
    (3) Deleting the superior text to subheading 9906.87.03 which 
reads ``Provided for in subheading 8704.21.00 or 8704.31.00:''.
    Section K. Effective August 1, 1998, subchapter VI to chapter 99 
is modified by deleting U.S. notes 26 and 27.
    Section L. Effective December 3, 1998, the Rates of Duty 1-
Special subcolumn for subheadings 9603.10.50 and 9603.10.60 is 
modified by inserting, in alphabetical order, the symbols ``A+'', 
``E'' and ``J'' in the parentheses following the ``Free'' rate of 
duty in such subcolumn.
    Section M. Effective January 1, 1999:
    (1) General note 4(d) to the HTS is modified, by deleting the 
following provisions and the countries set out opposite such 
provisions:

0303.77.00  Argentina
0304.20.50  Argentina
1604.16.10  Argentina
1605.10.20  Thailand
2608.00.00  Peru
2811.19.30  India
2825.90.75  India
2829.90.05  India
2829.90.25  India
2901.10.30  India
2901.29.50  India; South Africa
2902.50.00  India
2906.13.10  India
3302.10.10  Argentina; India
3302.10.20  Argentina; India
3302.90.10  Argentina; India

[[Page 32918]]

3302.90.20  India
3303.00.20  India
3303.00.30  Argentina; India
3304.10.00  India
3304.20.00  Argentina; India
3304.30.00  India
3304.91.00  India
3304.99.50  Argentina; India
3305.10.00  Argentina; India
3305.20.00  India
3305.30.00  India
3305.90.00  Argentina; India
3306.10.00  India
3306.20.00  India
3306.90.00  India
3401.11.10  Argentina; India
3401.11.50  India
3401.19.00  India
3401.20.00  India
3405.10.00  India
3405.20.00  India
3405.30.00  India
3405.40.00  India
3405.90.00  India
3406.00.00  India
3507.90.70  India
3822.00.50  Argentina; India
4015.11.00  Thailand
4016.99.30  Thailand
4016.99.35  Thailand
4107.29.30  Argentina
4107.29.60  Argentina
4303.90.00  Argentina
4409.10.40  Chile
4410.11.00  Argentina
4410.19.00  Argentina
4411.11.00  Argentina; Brazil
4411.19.20  Brazil
4411.21.00  Brazil
4411.29.60  Brazil
4412.13.05  Indonesia
4412.22.50  Indonesia
4421.90.50  Brazil
6406.10.65  Brazil; Dominican Republic
6406.99.60  Argentina
7206.90.00  Trinidad and Tobago
7401.10.00  India
7402.00.00  Chile
7419.99.50  Argentina
8413.91.90  Argentina
8414.30.80  Brazil
8419.90.20  Brazil
8422.30.90  Argentina
8429.11.00  Brazil
8429.20.00  Brazil
8429.30.00  Brazil
8431.49.10  Argentina
8431.49.90  Brazil
8471.49.29  Thailand
8471.60.35  Indonesia
8471.60.45  Thailand
8479.20.00  Argentina
8521.10.60  Thailand
8524.31.00  Argentina
8524.32.00  Argentina
8524.60.00  Argentina
8524.91.00  Argentina
8528.12.04  Indonesia
8802.30.00  Brazil
9006.62.00  Thailand
9018.11.60  Argentina
9018.90.10  Argentina
9018.90.80  Dominican Republic; Pakistan
9025.11.20  India
9401.30.40  Croatia; Slovenia
9401.61.40  Croatia; Slovenia

    Section M. Effective January 1, 1999 (con.):
    (1) General note 4(d) to the HTS is modified, by deleting the 
following provisions and the countries set out opposite such 
provisions (con.):

9401.69.40  Indonesia
9401.69.60  Croatia; Slovenia
9401.90.40  Croatia; Slovenia
9403.20.00  Argentina
9403.50.90  Argentina
9403.60.80  Argentina; Indonesia
9506.61.00  Philippines

    (2) Additional U.S. note 3 to chapter 2 is modified by:
    (a) Deleting the ``*'' symbol following the quantity for 
Argentina and the quantity for Uruguay.
    (b) Deleting the last paragraph in this note beginning with an 
``*'' symbol.
    (3) Additional U.S. note 1 to chapter 84 is modified by:
    (a) Deleting ``subheadings 8479.89.10, 8479.89.65, 8479.97, 
8479.90.40 and 8479.90.95,'' and inserting ``subheadings 8479.89.65 
and 8479.89.97,'' in lieu thereof.
    (b) Deleting ``the following articles and parts:'' and inserting 
``the following articles:'' in lieu thereof.
    (c) Deleting ``thrust reversers; air humidifiers and 
dehumidifies.'' and inserting ``thrust reversers.'' in lieu thereof.
    (4) Subchapter VI to chapter 99 is modified by:
    (a) Deleting the following subheadings:

9906.61.01
9906.61.05
9906.61.09
9906.61.19
9906.61.21
9906.61.22
9906.61.23
9906.61.24
9906.61.25
9906.61.26
9906.61.27
9906.62.02
9906.62.03
9906.62.05
9906.62.07
9906.62.08
9906.62.10
9906.62.12
9906.62.13
9906.62.14
9906.62.15
9906.62.16
9906.62.17
9906.62.18

    (b) Deleting the superior texts to subheading 9906.61.22 which 
read ``Other garments, knitted or crocheted:'' and ``Of cotton 
(provided for in subheading 6114.20.00):''.
    (c) Deleting the superior texts to subheading 9906.61.24 which 
read ``Of man-made fibers:'' and ``Garments other than tops, body 
suits or body shirts (provided for in subheading 6114.30.3):''.
    (d) Deleting the superior texts to subheading 9906.62.07 which 
read ``Women's or girls' singlets and other undershirts, briefs, 
panties, negligees, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar 
articles:'' and ``Of man-made fibers (provided for in subheading 
6208.92):''.
    (e) Deleting the superior texts to subheading 9906.62.12 which 
read ``Women's or girls' track suits and other garments, of cotton 
(provided for in subheading 6211.42.00):'' and ``Coveralls, 
jumpsuits and similar apparel:''.
    (f) Deleting the superior text to subheading 9906.62.14 which 
reads ``Other:''.
    Section M. Effective January 1, 1999 (con.):
    (5) Subchapter VII to chapter 99 is modified by:
    (a) Deleting U.S. note 2;
    (b) Deleting ``or 3811.29'' from the article description for 
heading 9907.38.01; and
    (c) Deleting the following headings:

9907.40.01
9907.56.01
9907.66.01
9907.71.01
9907.73.01
9907.84.01
9907.84.02
9907.84.03
9907.84.04
9907.84.05
9907.84.06
9907.84.07
9907.84.08
9907.84.09
9907.84.10
9907.84.11
9907.84.12
9907.84.13
9907.84.14
9907.84.01
9907.85.02
9907.87.01
9907.87.02
9907.90.01
9907.95.01

    Section N. Effective upon publication of this notice, the HTS is 
modified as provided below, with bracketed matter included to assist 
in understanding. The following supersedes matter now in the HTS. 
Subheading 8528.12.96 is deleted from the HTS and the following new 
provisions are inserted in numerical sequence in lieu thereof:

             [Reception...:]...........
               [Reception...:].........
                 [Color:]..............
                   [Other:]............
                     [Other:]..........
                       [Other:]........

[[Page 32919]]

 
``8528.12.9                Printed       Free                    ......................................      35%
           3  circuit assemblies
              incorporating a tuner,
                           of a kind
              used with data processing
              machines of.
             heading...................
                           8471........
 8528.12.97              Other.........  5%                      Free (A+, B, CA, E, IL, J, MX)            35%''
 

[FR Doc. 99-15453 Filed 6-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-M