Analysis
Subheading 1605.53 covers mussels, within heading 1605. The first six digits are shared by every country that uses the Harmonized System, so this part of the code is the same in the US, UK and EU schedules; the 2 US tariff lines below it are national.
Every one of its 2 tariff lines is duty-free at the general rate, so classification within the subheading affects statistics and Chapter 99 measures rather than the base duty.
The US splits it as follows: 1605.53.05 for products containing fish meat; prepared meals (duty-free) and 1605.53.60 for mussels: other (duty-free).
By Census's concordance, most of its statistical lines are made by Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (311710). Those are the NAICS industries a US producer of these goods would report under.
Goods only reach 1605.53 once they fall within heading 1605 (crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved). Under General Rule 6, subheadings are then compared only with others at the same level, so a product is matched against its siblings, not against lines elsewhere in the chapter.
Tariff lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1605.53.05 | Products containing fish meat; prepared meals | Free |
| 1605.53.60 | Mussels: other | Free |