The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has updated the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to include a new statistical suffix and article description for certain lithium ion batteries. The full version of Chapter 85 is available on the ITC’s website and we have attached excerpts for the 8506 and 8507 headings, which apply to the primary and rechargeable cell and battery headings, subheadings, and article descriptions.
The HTSUS sets out the tariff rates and statistical categories for all merchandise imported into the United States. The HTSUS is based on the international Harmonized System, which is the global system of nomenclature applied to most world trade in goods.
The description in statistical note 2 states the battery must consist of one or more lithium ion battery modules, battery management circuitry, and other components to enable the storage or discharge of energy, and a minimum energy capacity of one kilowatt-hour. In addition, the statistical suffix for the “Other” listing of Lithium ion batteries has been changed from 20 to 90 (i.e., 8507.60.0020 to 8507.60.0090).
The entry for Lithium ion batteries as shown on the right includes a new article description “Battery energy storage systems within a housing as described in statistical note 2 to this chapter.”
PRBA members are strongly encouraged to carefully review the battery provisions in 8506 and 8507 of the HTSUS for any other changes that may impact their cell and battery imports into the U.S.
For more information, contact Maureen Thorson at 202.719.7272 or [email protected].