***Cross-Reference Between the Harmonized System and TSUSA Schedule*** Description: In 1989, the United States changed its system for collecting disaggregate import (and export) data. Prior to that year, the import data were collected according to the Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA), whereas beginning in 1989 the data were collected according to the Harmonized System of commodity classification. The application of the Harmonized System to U.S. imports is called the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). The file HS_TSUSA.ASC contains a cross-reference between the TSUSA codes for 1987, and the HTS codes proposed at that time. Since the actual conversion from the TSUSA codes for U.S. imports and the HTS codes occurred in 1989, so this file can be used to obtain the linkage between a 1987 or 1988 TSUSA code, and the corresponding HTS code in 1989. (HTS codes that were introduced in years later than 1989 would not be reflected in this cross-reference). Record Layout: The fields for HS_TSUSA.ASC are: Columns 1-9 - HTS code (9-digit) Columns 10-16 - TSUSA code (7-digit) The records are sorted by HTS code. Missing Values: The first record of HS_TSUSA.ASC has a missing value (blank) for the HTS code, with a TSUSA value of 3201900. There are no other missing values. Special Considerations: This source for this cross-reference, USITC (1988), contains the following explanatory notes: "The cross-references are designed to assist the international trade community in translating a known classification in the TSUSA into a likely classification under the HTS. The use is strongly cautioned against relying on the cross-reference in order to determine legally appropriate tariff classifications under the HTS... All TSUSA numbers have been aligned with at least one HTS subheading. Similarly, all HTS subheadings have been referenced to at least one TSUSA number or headnote. Nevertheless, these cross-references do not include all possible TSUSA/HTS combinations." Most importantly, within the cross-reference each TSUSA code can correspond to more than one HTS code, and vice-versa. Thus, this cross-reference DOES NOT give a unique correspondence between the TSUSA and HTS. It usefulness will depend on the particular commodities than each researcher is interested in. The USITC (1988) publication also provides the following information concerning "special situations": 1. Intangibles Certain HTS subheadings (for example, 2716.00, 8901.10 and 8904.00) have no equivalent TSUSA number since they describe goods listed in general footnote 5 to the Tariff Schedules of the United States that are identified as "intangibles." Intangibles are articles not subject to the provisions of the Tariff Schedule of the U.S. In these cases, the code GHDNT5G is used in place of a TSUSA number. 2. Certain woven fabrics There are an enormous number of 7-digit TSUSA numbers between 320.01 through 331.98, many of which have very little trade. In order to reduce the complexity of the cross-reference, TSUSA numbers at the 5-digit level are instead used for these commodities. Even at the five digit level, the number of commodities is reduced by consolidating the fourth and fifth digits. For example, TSUSA items 320.01 through 320.09 are shown in the cross-reference under item 320.09. In general, the fourth and fifth digits of the TSUSA items have been replaced as follows: Range of actual fourth Fourth and fifth digits and fifth digits as shown in the cross-reference 01-09 ......................... 09 10-19 ......................... 19 20-29 ......................... 29 30-39 ......................... 39 40-49 ......................... 49 50-59 ......................... 59 60-69 ......................... 69 70-79 ......................... 79 80-88 ......................... 89 92-98 ......................... 99 With these fourth and fifth digits, the sixth and seventh digits for the TSUSA numbers in the cross-reference are set at zero. The treatment of TSUSA item 338.50 in the cross-reference is similar to that of items 320.01 through 331.98, and the same adjustments apply. 3. Watches and clocks The tariff classification applicable to watches, clocks with watch movements, and watch movements under the TSUSA were too convoluted to apply the general principles for linking TSUSA and HTS. As a result, for these items certain numbers reported in the 7-digit TSUSA columns are not actually TSUSA numbers, but are instead Census trade reporting numbers. At the same time, some 7-digit TSUSA numbers covering these articles are not included in the listings. These exceptions are as follows: (a) All 7-digit numbers shown the in the TSUSA column beginning with 715 or 716. These numbers, which cover watches and clocks with watch movements, are the numbers used by Census in publishing import trade statistics, rather than the TSUSA numbers used on Customs entry forms. (b) TSUSA numbers beginning with 716.37, 716.38, 716.39, 716.40, 716.45 and 719. Of these numbers, which cover watch movements, only those for which import trade was reported in the period 1983-86 are listed. Size: HS_TSUSA.ASC contains 27,248 records. Source: United States International Trade Commission (1988) "Continuity of Import and Export Trade Statistics After Implementation of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System: Report to the President on Investigation no. 332-250 under Section 332 of the Tariff Act of 1930." USITC Publication 2051, January 1988, Washington, D.C. The data in HS_TSUSA.ASC was scanned from Annex II of this publication. Bruce Blonigen, Department of Economics, University of Oregon, arranged to have this scanning performed at the U.S. International Trade Commission.