Below you will find the link to the WCO-published HS amendments to enable an early start for all IT service providers, importers and compliance practitioners out there. 5 years seems a very short time since the last major revision in 2007. The volume of amendments within, for instance, Chapter 3, for the separate identification of certain species of fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, is noticeable. The modifications aim at improving the quality and precision of trade data in these commodities.

New subheadings have been created for the separate identification of certain edible vegetables, roots and tubers, fruit and nuts, as well as cereals. HS 2012 also features new subheadings for specific chemicals 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 the low volume of trade in specific products, separately identifying certain commodities in either existing or new headings, and reflecting advances in technology where possible. Finally, a number of amendments aim to clarify texts to ensure uniform application of the HS Nomenclature.

Refer to the following link: http://www.wcoomd.org/files/1.%20Public%20files/PDFandDocuments/HarmonizedSystem/HS%20Overview/NG0163B1.pdf

Want to find out more on what HS 2012 means, then join Jeff Bensing with Mercor Consulting and Angela Chamberlain with Integration Point, for a one-hour webcast to discuss:

* What HS chapters are impacted by the WCO changes
* How could this affect an organization’s importing and exporting processes
* What an organization can do now to prepare for the 2012 HS changes
* Best practices to consider for an overall improved classification strategy

This webcast will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. EST. Don’t miss the chance to know the latest changes to he HS to make them work for you! For more information and to register, go to:

https://integrationpoint.webex.com/integrationpoint/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=661096485&SourceID=li