WCO – Recent Classification Decisions

Readers may be interested in recent classification decisions posted on the WCO’s (World Customs Organization) website.

Also available on the WCO website are accepted amendments to the Harmonized System (HS) Nomenclature that will enter into force on 1 January 2017.  Since environmental and social issues of global concern are the major feature of the HS 2017 amendments, the majority of changes have been broached by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).

The WCO has indicated that: While January 2017 may seem far off, the WCO Secretariat is working on the development of requisite correlation tables between the old and new editions of the HS, and on updating the HS publications, such as the Explanatory Notes, the Classification Opinions, the Alphabetical Index and the HS online database. Customs administrations also have a huge task to ensure timely implementation of the HS 2017 Edition, as required by the HS Convention. They are therefore encouraged to begin the process of implementing the HS 2017 in their national Customs tariff or statistical nomenclatures.

The CSCB will advise members should we hear anything from CBSA regarding the 2017 HS changes.