USITC Seeks Public Comments on Proposals to Update the Harmonized Tariff Schedule

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) wants to hear from interested federal agencies and the public about proposed updates to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).

The Commission has posted its proposed updates to the HTS on the USITC website. Interested federal agencies and the public are invited to submit written comments on the proposed updates by May 18, 2026. All written submissions, except confidential business information, will be available to the public.

Last year, members of the World Customs Organization agreed on about 300 sets of amendments to the Harmonized System (HS), the global system that categorizes products imported and exported around the world. Countries then began their individual processes to incorporate these changes into their own domestic product category systems. The United States and other countries have until January 1, 2028, to implement the changes.

The USITC is the federal agency charged with maintaining and updating the United States' product category system, the HTS. Last August, the USITC instituted an investigation that will lead to recommendations to the President to update the HTS to implement the HS amendments.

HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS: All comments must be submitted through the Commission's Electronic Document Information System. Questions regarding electronic filing should be directed to the Office of the Secretary, Docket Services Division, or consult the Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures and the Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8).

More information about the USITC investigation and procedures to file comments are available in the Commission's Federal Register notice soliciting public comments on the preliminary report, dated April 17, 2026, and on the USITC website.