Cryoport : 2022 Updates to the Harmonized System (HS) and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)

Every five years the World Customs Organization (WCO) conducts a general review of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System or HS- refer to Appendix A). The WCO is an international body made up of representatives from 183 customs administrations around the world. These reviews are designed to keep the HS current with new technology, visibility into product streams and emerging global issues.

HS 2022 will become effective on January 1, 2022, in its accepted seventh edition. This new edition has a total of 351 sets of modifications covering a wide range of products; these changes introduce significant improvements to the Harmonized System. Which in turn will be used to update tariff systems with those participating countries around the world.

Changes made in HS 2022 include new classifications for the following (this is not an all-inclusive list):

• 3D printers
• Cell cultures and cell therapy
• Chemicals and materials specifically controlled under international conventions
• Dual-use goods that can be diverted for unauthorized uses such as detonators
• Electronic waste (e-waste)
• Flat panel display modules
• Fully electric heavy-duty vehicles
• Nicotine-based vaping products intended for inhalation without combustion
• Placebos and clinical trial kits for health and medical research
• Rapid diagnostic kits for health and medical research
• Smartphones
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs); commonly referred to as drones

Notably, more clarity has been added for cell cultures and cell therapy, vaccines, placebos and clinical trial kits, along with rapid diagnostic kits for health and medical research. By providing more specific language/terminology and specifications, the modifications to the tariff schedule will allow importers to distinctly classify their products.

Example of newly added subheadings as proposed from HS 2022 updates for the US Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) that directly affect our cell cultures and therapy: (Please refer to https://www.usitc.gov/publications/other/pub5171.pdf for complete list of modifications.).

HS 2022 changes should be reviewed, allowing for part databases and commercial invoice information to be updated to reflect these new additions. The use of outdated HS/HTS classifications can lead to unnecessary delays with moving your shipment through Customs. Subsequently, our Cryoportal system will be updated with the HTS numbers used by our clients.

Further references for review:

WCO - Announcement of HS 2022 Effective January 1, 2022: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/instrument-and-tools/hs-nomenclature-2022- edition/amendments-effective-from-1-january-2022.aspx

US International Trade Commission- Recommended Modifications in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, 2021 pdf: https://www.usitc.gov/publications/other/pub5171.pdf

Contact for questions or further guidance:
Donna Thresher, Director Global Regulatory and Trade Compliance PH: 615-436-6677
Email: [e-mail]

Appendix A
The tariff classification number is how a commodity/product contained within an internationally traded shipment is identified to customs and governmental organizations. Tariff classification numbers can be categorized as follows:

• HS Codes - Harmonized System (HS) is a 6-digit international standard for classifying globally traded products. Used by customs authorities around the world to assess duty and tax rates. Administered by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
• HTS Codes- Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a 10-digit (in most cases; special classifications may only be to 8-digit) import classification system specific to the United States; hierarchical structure for describing all goods in trade for duty, quota, and statistical