Analysis
HTS 2616.90.00 covers precious metal ores and concentrates: other under heading 2616 (precious metal ores and concentrates). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 5 ten-digit suffixes, reported in Cu kg.
The general rate is 1.7¢/kg on lead content, 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¢/kg on lead content. 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.
The other line in the same group is 2616.10.00 (silver ores and concentrates, 0.8¢/kg on lead content).
The ten-digit suffixes separate copper content, lead content, zinc content, gold content and other precious metal content. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2616.10.00 | Silver ores and concentrates | 0.8¢/kg on lead content |