Analysis
HTS 2825.20.00 covers lithium oxide and hydroxide under heading 2825 (hydrazine and hydroxylamine and their inorganic salts; other inorganic bases; other metal…).
Within this group the rate runs from duty-free to 5.5%. Compared with 2825.90.75 (other: cadmium oxide), which pays duty-free, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 3.7 percentage points.
The general duty rate is 3.7% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 28 (67th percentile of 274 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $370 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
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 3.7%. 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 column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 25%, 6.8 times the general rate.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2825.10.00 | Hydrazine and hydroxylamine and their inorganic salts | 3.7% |
| 2825.30.00 | Vanadium oxides and hydroxides | 5.5% |
| 2825.40.00 | Nickel oxides and hydroxides | Free |
| 2825.50.10 | Copper oxides and hydroxides: cupric oxide | 4.3% |
| 2825.50.20 | Copper oxides and hydroxides: cuprous oxide | 5% |
| 2825.50.30 | Copper oxides and hydroxides: copper hydroxides | 3.9% |
| 2825.60.00 | Germanium oxides and zirconium dioxide | 3.7% |
| 2825.70.00 | Molybdenum oxides and hydroxides | 3.2% |
| 2825.80.00 | Hydrazine and hydroxylamine and their inorganic salts; other inorganic bases; other metal oxides, hydroxides and peroxides: antimony oxides | Free |
| 2825.90.10 | Beryllium oxide and hydroxide | 3.7% |
| 2825.90.15 | Other: niobium oxide | 3.7% |
| 2825.90.20 | Other: tin oxides | 4.2% |
| 2825.90.30 | Other: tungsten oxides | 5.5% |
| 2825.90.75 | Other: cadmium oxide | Free |
| 2825.90.90 | Other: other | 3.7% |