Analysis
HTS 2009.31.20 covers lime: other under heading 2009 (fruit or nut juices (including grape must and coconut water) and vegetable juices…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 2 ten-digit suffixes, reported in litres.
The general rate is 1.7¢/liter, a specific or compound duty rather than a simple percentage, so the effective burden depends on the unit value of the goods: cheap goods pay proportionally more than expensive ones. Importers usually convert it to an ad valorem equivalent to compare it with other lines.
Goods that qualify under GSP, the Australia FTA, the Bahrain FTA, the Chile FTA, the Colombia TPA, and 12 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 1.7¢/liter. It is also eligible under GSP, the developing-country programme, which Congress has to renew; check whether GSP is in force on the entry date.
For statistics it divides in two: 2009.31.20.20 for not concentrated and 2009.31.20.40 for concentrated. Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
The other lines in the same group are 2009.31.10 (unfit for beverage purposes, 1.8¢/kg), 2009.31.40 (other: not concentrated, 3.4¢/liter) and 2009.31.60 (other: concentrated, 7.9¢/liter).
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2009.31.10 | Unfit for beverage purposes | 1.8¢/kg |
| 2009.31.40 | Other: not concentrated | 3.4¢/liter |
| 2009.31.60 | Other: concentrated | 7.9¢/liter |