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:: USITC DataWeb: Frequently Asked Questions
Last Update: April 22, 2009
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How often is the DataWeb updated?
The DataWeb is updated approximately two weeks after the
end of each month, although the schedule is not guaranteed. A schedule of
planned updates is available at
http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/data_updates.htm
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When is the DataWeb available?
The DataWeb is available to the public virtually 24
hours a day from anywhere in the world.
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How much does it cost to register to use the DataWeb?
Public access to the DataWeb is provided as a public service at no charge.
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When I try to register as a new DataWeb user,
I get an error message and the registration fails. What is wrong?
You may not use spaces or special characters, such as ',%, #, $, &, etc. in your
username or password. Alphanumeric characters and underscores are acceptable.
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Where can I get help with HTS classifications?
The HTS Online Reference Tool (http://hts.usitc.gov)
allows a user to search the HTS by word, word combinations, or HTS number.
The Customs and Border Protection Bureau offers the
following assistance: Ports directory at
http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/
This link provides a list of Customs offices at
ports of entry by state with phone numbers, addresses, and hours of
operation. Customs Rulings Online Search System at
http://rulings.cbp.gov/
CROSS is a searchable database of rulings which
may include your commodity.
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How do I find tariff information for a
commodity?
The HTS Online Reference Tool HTS.USITC.GOV
You can search the HTS by word, word combinations, or HTS number.
Tariff information is available from the DataWeb. On the
right, click on "Tariff Data". This will take you to the
"Tariff Information Center" page. At the top, click on
USITC Tariff
Database—Interactive This will take you
to a page where you can enter the United States Harmonized Tariff Schedule
(HTS) number for the product of interest, or to find the number by
entering the name of the product. After entering the number or the name of
the product, a page with a detail button will appear. Click on the button
to display the tariff information.
The full legal text of the United States
Harmonized Tariff Schedules Annotated by chapter may be found at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm
Historic tariff information can be accessed by
clicking on the "Tariff DataBase Tables for Browsing and Downloading" link
near the bottom of the "Tariff Information Center" page or by going
directly to this url: (
http://reportweb.usitc.gov/tariff/tariff_form_.jsp)
You can request help with HTS numbers by
clicking the "HTS Help!" link (
http://www.usitc.gov/tata/contact/index.asp)
on the "Tariff Information Center" page.
If you need additional help in classifying a
product and finding the HTS number, please contact the Customs and Border
Protection Bureau of the Department of Homeland Security office nearest
you for help. A list of office locations is available at this URL:
http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/
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How do I find the duty for a
commodity?
For assistance with duties and proper classification of
a product, please contact the Customs and Border Protection Bureau of the
Department of Homeland Security office nearest you for help. A list of
office locations is available at this URL:
http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/
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Where can I find ad valorum equivalent
(AVE) duties for U.S. imports?
The value of U.S. imports for consumption, duties
collected, and the ratio of duties to values for the years 1891 - 2005 are
available at this URL: http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/AVE.PDF
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Where can I find definitions for
trade terms like domestic imports, total imports, domestic exports,
etc.?
Definitions for the data fields are available from the Dataweb. Please log into the site,
select either “Quick Query” or “Advanced Search” on the “Main Menu” page, and
proceed to the “Query Design Page”. In the upper left corner of the query design
page is a box for data selection. There is a button labeled "View Data Field Descriptions".
Click on this button to display field names and their definitions.
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What does NESOI mean?
The abbreviation "NESOI" means not elsewhere specified
or included.
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What is the difference between first and
second units of quantity?
Units of quantity shown are published in terms of the
units specified in the HTSUSA for each HTS classification. Typically, if
there are two units of quantity, the first is used for tariff purposes
(for example, $0.36 per dozen). The second unit of quantity might be used
for quota or other purposes.
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How do I find the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule (HTS) number for a commodity?
The HTS Online Reference Tool (http://hts.usitc.gov) allows a user to search the HTS by word, word combinations, or HTS number.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers for the United
States are available from the DataWeb. Click on the Tariff Data link. This
will take you to the "Tariff Information Center" page. At the top, click
on USITC Tariff
Database—Interactive. This will take
you to a page where you can enter the United States Harmonized Tariff
Schedule (HTS) number for the product of interest, or to find the number
by entering the name of the product. In addition, you can request help
with HTS numbers by clicking the "HTS Help!" link on the "Tariff
Information Center" page.
CDs of the HTS are available for purchase from
Government Printing Office at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/
If you need additional help finding an HTS
number and proper classification of a product, please contact the Customs
and Border Protection Bureau of the Department of Homeland Security Office
nearest you for help. A list of office locations is available at this
URL:
http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/
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How do I download information
from the DataWeb into a spreadsheet?
On the “Sort Order Page”, click on the check box under “Download Report Directly to Excel” to have your results appear in an Excel file.
After you successfully complete a query, a report page
will be displayed on your screen. Instructions for downloading the
report into a spreadsheet are shown at the bottom of the screen. Please
scroll down to see the instructions. You can also “highlight” your table,
then copy and paste it into a spreadsheet program.
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Is it possible to obtain
import and export quantities as well as values from the
DataWeb?
On the “Main Menu” under “Advanced Search”, select HTS numbers.
On the “Query Design Page”, the “District of Entry” option allows a
user to create a list of districts to report on. The Customs Districts
are described in Statistical Annex C of the HTS.
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Is it possible to obtain
Customs, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) values from the
DataWeb?
Yes. On the main menu page of the DataWeb, under
quick query or advanced search, click on "HTS Items." Proceed to the query
design page. Under data selection, you can select a variety of options,
one of which is CIF value. To calculate the charges for insurance and
freight, subtract the Customs value (the top selection) from the CIF
value.
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How can I find importers for a
commodity?
Information about individual importers is not available
from the DataWeb.
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Where can I find information about U.S.
Trade with Puerto Rico and U.S. Possessions?
Total quantity and value of commodities shipped between
the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. possessions is available at
http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/ftdpr895.html
Data on shipments are shown by all methods of
transportation combined, with separate data showing the amount of trade
transported by vessel and by air.
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My query times out. How can I
solve this problem?
There are several reasons why a query may time
out. Potential problems and solutions are listed below:
1. The amount of information you are trying to retrieve is very
large. If this is the problem, it may be necessary to purchase a CD
of trade data from the Census Bureau. You can order online
from:
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/reference/products/catalog/orderform.html.
Alternatively, try breaking the query into smaller pieces that retrieves
smaller amounts of data. For example, query one SITC number at a
time, or specify fewer countries in your query.
2. Although the amount of information you
are trying to retrieve is small, a large amount of data has to be searched
to find the answer. If this is the problem, try breaking the query
into smaller pieces so less data are searched. If you need help
optimizing a query, please request assistance at this url:
http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/dataweb_help/dw_help.asp.
3. Peak public traffic on the DataWeb
occurs between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Eastern U.S. time and computer resources
are most stressed during that period. Try running the query after
7:00 pm Eastern U.S. time, or before 9:00 a.m. Eastern U.S. time.
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In using the DataWeb, is there a
way to have the imports reported on a district of entry
basis?
On the Main Menu of the Dataweb near the upper right
corner as you face the screen is an option for Advanced Search, HTS
numbers. Select this option. On the Query Design Page that will appear
when you hit the proceed button, there is a district search option in the
lower left corner of the screen. The Customs Districts are described
in Statistical Annex C of the HTS.
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When trying to use the trade balance
option, none of my commodity lists are available on the drop down menu. In
fact the only list available to me is "all commodities." On the other
hand, all of my country lists are shown and are selectable and will run
with the "all commodities" selection. What is wrong?
The DataWeb only calculates trade balances at the
6-digit level and higher because United States HTS import and HTS export
numbers differ at the 8 and 10-digit level. For this reason,
HTS 8 or 10 digit lists do not show up on the trade balances portion
of the DataWeb.
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How do I create a commodity
list?
1. On the "Query Design Page", click on "Create
New List".
2. On the page that appears, click on "List
Type" (e.g.HTS 10)
3. Enter a list name, e.g. my_list, in the
empty text box
4. Click on "Make New List"
5. Highlight the chapter of interest
6. Click on "Show Items"
7. Highlight your HTS numbers (see note about
control/shift on the web page)
8. Click on "Copy Number"
9. click on "Query Design Page"
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How can I find which countries have
normal trade relations with the United States?
NTR (Normal Trade Relations) was formerly known as MFN
(Most-favored Nation) treatment. In the DataWeb the list of countries NOT
eligible for MFN (NTR) are in a country list called "Non-NTR (Non-MFN)".
To find this list, log into the DataWeb, and proceed to the Query Design
Page. About halfway down the page is an option titled "Select all
countries or a pre-defined list". Go to this option and select "USITC CTRY
GRP: Non-NTR (Non-MFN)", then click on the button at the bottom of the
option box labeled "View a USITC Country Grp List". This will display the
list of countries NOT eligible for MFN. All other countries are eligible
for NTR.
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Where can I get statistical info about
tonnage of freight for a district of entry?
Please visit the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics site at the following URL:
http://www.transtats.bts.gov/.
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Where can I find antidumping and
countervailing duty deposit rates?
The Customs and Border Protection Bureau of the
Department of Homeland Security posts information about deposit rate at http://addcvd.cbp.gov/index.asp/.
Alternatively, deposit rates are available from the Import Administration at the International Trade Administration
(202-482-1780). Please request the assistance of the analyst who handles
the commodity of interest.
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Interactive Tariff and Trade DataWeb
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