Analysis
HTS 2101.11.21 covers instant coffee, not flavored under heading 2101 (extracts, essences and concentrates, of coffee, tea or maté and preparations with a basis…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 4 ten-digit suffixes, reported in kilograms.
Rates on the nearby lines range from duty-free to 10%. The costliest confusion would be with 2101.20.54 (described in additional U.S. note 8 to chapter 17 and entered…) at 10%, a difference of 10 points on the customs value.
There is no general-rate duty on this line, which puts it with roughly 16% of the 51 tariff lines in chapter 21 that are also free. Chapter 99 measures such as Section 301 or 232 can still apply on top, depending on where the goods come from.
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 311920 (Coffee and Tea Manufacturing), an industry of 1,155 US establishments employing 23,998 people, the industry a domestic producer of these goods reports under.
The ten-digit suffixes separate packaged for retail sale and packaged for retail sale. The duty is the same across them; the suffix matters for statistics, licensing and some quotas, and an entry needs all ten digits.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2101.11.29 | Extracts, essences and concentrates: other | Free |
| 2101.12.32 | Described in general note 15 of the tariff schedule and entered pursuant to its provisions | 10% |
| 2101.12.34 | Described in additional U.S. note 9 to chapter 17 and entered pursuant to its provisions | 10% |
| 2101.12.38 | Blended syrups described in additional U.S. note 4 to chapter 17: other | 30.5¢/kg + 8.5% |
| 2101.12.44 | Described in additional U.S. note 7 to chapter 17 and entered pursuant to its provisions | 10% |
| 2101.12.48 | Articles containing over 65 percent by dry weight of sugar described in additional U.S. note 2 to chapter 17: other | 30.5¢/kg + 8.5% |
| 2101.12.54 | Described in additional U.S. note 8 to chapter 17 and entered pursuant to its provisions | 10% |
| 2101.12.58 | Articles containing over 10 percent by dry weight of sugar described in additional U.S. note 3 to chapter 17: other | 30.5¢/kg + 8.5% |
| 2101.12.90 | Other: other | 8.5% |
| 2101.20.20 | Extracts, essences and concentrates | Free |
| 2101.20.32 | Described in general note 15 of the tariff schedule and entered pursuant to its provisions | 10% |
| 2101.20.34 | Described in additional U.S. note 9 to chapter 17 and entered pursuant to its provisions | 10% |
| 2101.20.38 | Blended syrups described in additional U.S. note 4 to chapter 17: other | 30.5¢/kg + 8.5% |
| 2101.20.44 | Described in additional U.S. note 7 to chapter 17 and entered pursuant to its provisions | 10% |
| 2101.20.48 | Articles containing over 65 percent by dry weight of sugar described in additional U.S. note 2 to chapter 17: other | 30.5¢/kg + 8.5% |
| 2101.20.54 | Described in additional U.S. note 8 to chapter 17 and entered pursuant to its provisions | 10% |
| 2101.20.58 | Articles containing over 10 percent by dry weight of sugar described in additional U.S. note 3 to chapter 17: other | 30.5¢/kg + 8.5% |
| 2101.20.90 | Other: other | 8.5% |
| 2101.30.00 | Roasted chicory and other roasted coffee substitutes and extracts, essences and concentrates thereof | 2.1¢/kg |