Email: arthur@aomeara.com
Section and Chapter Notes: Where the Real Classification Rules Live Most importers know what an HTS code looks like. Fewer know what it means. And almost no one reads the part that tells you how it should be interpreted in the first place. Welcome to the Section and Chapter Notes. These aren’t filler pages or […]
The Most Ignored (and Important) Pages in the HTSUS Read More »
General Notes in the HTSUS: What They Are and Why They Matter Most importers flip straight to the tariff code. A few get as far as the chapter notes. But almost nobody starts in the General Notes of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), where the real money-saving opportunities live. Tucked neatly
FTA Summaries, Preference Programs, and the Fine Print That Saves You Money Read More »
The Notes Nobody Reads (But Everyone Should) If you’re relying on a keyword search or a code look-up tool to classify your imports, you’re playing a risky game. HTS classification isn’t just about matching a description, it’s about following a legal framework built on layers of fine print that most people never bother to read.
Why HTS Classification Requires More Than Just a Code Search Read More »
Duty rates aren’t set in stone. They’re set in law. Like most legal frameworks, they come with nuance, exceptions, and opportunities. Understanding how those rates are calculated (and how they can be lowered) is less about beating the system and more about understanding it better than the next importer. If your duty rates seem higher
How to Determine If Your Product Qualifies for Lower Tariffs Read More »
Customs brokers play an essential role in international trade. They process entries, deal with forms most people never want to read, and help keep your goods moving. But as any seasoned importer will tell you: not all brokers are created equal – and not all of them get your HTS classification right. While it’s tempting
Five Signs Your Customs Broker Is Getting Your HTS Codes Wrong Read More »
If you’re an importer in 2025, you know that tariffs don’t just live in headlines. They live in your landed costs, your margin reports, and your CFO’s nightmares. The tariff rollercoaster is ramping up. With rising geopolitical tensions, renewed Section 301 and 232 actions, and a steady undercurrent of protectionist trade policy, we’re firmly in
How to Navigate HTS Classification During a Tariff War Read More »
Navigating the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) can feel like trying to decode a foreign language – but it’s an essential skill for anyone involved in international trade. As the official system for classifying imported goods and determining duty rates, the HTSUS plays a critical role in ensuring compliance, calculating tariffs, and
Most Commonly Asked Questions About the HTSUS Read More »
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has announced plans to increase tariffs on tungsten and silicon products, with the intent of applying more pressure on Chinese imports. These changes target three subheadings related to tungsten, where tariffs will rise to 25%, and two subheadings for wafers and polysilicon, where tariffs will jump to 50%. These
Higher Tariffs on Tungsten and Silicon Products: What You Need to Know Read More »
The “de minimis” rule, part of Section 321 of the Tariff Act, allows duty-free importation of goods valued under $800 per day, per individual shipment. While this rule was designed to streamline low-value imports, there is evidence suggesting it’s now being exploited by overseas retailers, like Temu and Shein, to flood the US market with
How Overseas Retailers Are Exploiting American Trade Laws Read More »
Today we are going to talk about the USMCA and how we can rebrand it—we want to make it fancier, prettier, shinier, more marketable. What can we do to change the name? The name is ugly, it’s horrible: the “us—MUK—uh.” It sounds like dirt you drag your enemies through; it should like a bad form of journalism.
A New Name for the USMCA Read More »