The Bureau of Customs/Border Protection (BCBP) recently announced that it will reclassify certain dinnerware sets, meaning that the import tariff may change. The dinnerware in question is imported from China in sets. Each set consists of ceramic stoneware dinner plates, dessert plates, soup bowls & mugs. There are also other items including glassware consisting of 12 oz highball glasses & 12 oz on-the-rocks glasses. Previously the duty rate for the merchandise was classified under item 8215.20.0000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the US Annotated,first made in 1996. BCBP says this was the wrong classification because it was based upon items occurring most frequently in the sets when it should have been based upon value of the most expensive items in the sets. BCBP has not made a redetermination as of yet, but is awaiting a redetermination request. For copies of the BCBP ruling please contact SGCD General Counsel Jim Calderwood at 202-298-8660 or jacalderwood@zsrlaw.com
