Can the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUSA) be used instead of Schedule B for EEI reporting of most commodities?

The U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUSA) serves as a key reference in classifying goods for tariff and trade purposes. However, it is specifically designed for customs duties and not for Electronic Export Information (EEI) reporting under the Foreign Trade Regulations. Schedule B is the primary classification system required for EEI reporting. It aligns with the HTSUSA but has distinct codes tailored for export statistics.

While HTSUSA provides the necessary information about the tariff classifications that can apply to many exported goods, it is not a substitute for Schedule B when filing EEI. Therefore, the statement about the usage of HTSUSA in place of Schedule B is not accurate in a general context, meaning that options suggesting an absolute or frequent equivalence do not reflect the regulatory requirements.

However, Schedule B classifications are indeed based on the HTSUSA; thus, one could say there are instances where they overlap for specific commodities, but it is not universally advisable to substitute one for the other for EEI reporting purposes. Recognizing when each can be used appropriately is crucial for compliance.