Custom Code Harmonization for Mercury-added Products

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The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, generally referred to as "Harmonized System" (HS) was developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and is used by customs authorities around the world as the basis for their customs tariffs and for the collection of international trade statistics. The HS is also used by governments, international organizations, and the private sector for other purposes such as internal taxation, trade policy, monitoring controlled goods, compiling transport statistics, and economic research and analysis. A number of governments are considering using these codes to better understand the domestic production and use, as well as import and export of mercury-added products, to prioritize mercury reduction activities, to assist in the implementation of the Minamata Convention Article 4 obligations to phase out the manufacture, import, and export of mercuryadded products listed in Annex A, and to facilitate Article 21 reporting requirements.