Discontinuation of Netherlands Antilles as a Trade Entity
The Netherlands Antilles was dissolved as a political entity on October 10, 2010, and split into Curaçao and Sint Maarten as autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the remaining islands (Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius) becoming special municipalities of the Netherlands. Trade data and agreements specific to the Netherlands Antilles are no longer applicable.
October 10, 2010
Impact: Trade statistics and tariffs previously categorized under Netherlands Antilles for HS Code 8521 (sound recording and reproducing systems) are now reported under Curaçao, Sint Maarten, or the Netherlands, affecting historical data comparisons and trade agreements between the United States and the former entity.
Historical Trade Data for Sound Systems with Netherlands Antilles
Post-dissolution reports indicate that prior to 2010, the United States had minimal but consistent trade with the Netherlands Antilles in sound recording and reproducing systems (HS Code 8521), primarily involving small-scale imports of audio equipment.
January 15, 2011
Impact: With the dissolution, trade tracking for HS Code 8521 has shifted to individual successor entities, leading to fragmented data and potential disruptions in established trade patterns with the U.S.
Archival Trade Analysis Released by U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau released archived trade data showing that imports and exports of sound recording systems (HS Code 8521) between the U.S. and the Netherlands Antilles were negligible in the years leading up to the dissolution, with most transactions routed through larger Dutch ports post-2010.
March 20, 2012
Impact: The shift in trade routing post-dissolution has minimized direct trade impacts for this HS Code, though businesses previously dealing with the Netherlands Antilles may face logistical adjustments.
