The ITC, an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial agency, updates and publishes the HTS annually, and it posts interim updates throughout the year on its Internet site. Two versions of the document are currently available on the ITC's Internet site at www.usitc.gov/taffairs.

The first version, labeled Interim 2002, will be applicable from January 1, 2002, through January 9, 2002. It reflects changes made to the HTS as a result of the implementation of the United States' new free trade agreement with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as well as other previously proclaimed modifications.

The second version, labeled 14th Edition, will be applicable as of January 10, 2002. It reflects amendments to the HTS that resulted from the World Customs Organization's 1999 adoption of amendments in the nomenclature of the global Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, on which the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule is based; these amendments to the HTS will become effective on January 10, 2002. This version of the HTS will also include all changes to the HTS that have become effective since the printing of the supplement to the 2001 edition, including legislation, proclamations, notices, and statistical modifications.

The second version of the HTS has been forwarded to the Government Printing Office for printing as the 2002 edition of the HTS. Information on ordering printed or CD-ROM copies of the 2002 HTS should be directed to the Government Printing Office (http://bookstore.gpo.gov/subscriptions/subs009.html#001). The printing of these documents will take a number of weeks.

Questions concerning the HTS and pending changes can be directed to the ITC's Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements at 202-205-2592. An e-mail directory of staff in this office is available at www.usitc.gov/taffairs.htm.