AAEI focuses on Harmonized rule queries. (Harmonized Tariff Schedule, footwear import-export trade)

AAEI focuses on Harmonized rule queries NEW YORK -- A recent American Association of Exporters & Importers (AAEI) conference here focusing on footwear classification under the soon-to-be-implemented Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S., emphasized that many of the questions regarding certain import guidelines are still being ruled upon by U.S. Customs.

"There are still a lot of questions in footwear under the Harmonized System at Customs headquarters," said James Sheridan, national import specialist, U.S. Customs Service, Washington, D.C. "Hopefully, they will be resolved by Jan. 1" when the new system is scheduled to take effect.

The Harmonized System is international in scope with all participating countries following the same basic guidelines. A six-digit number is used to classify goods, resulting in identical items being …