Analysis
HTS 2836.91.00 covers lithium carbonates under heading 2836 (carbonates; peroxocarbonates (percarbonates); commercial ammonium carbonate containing…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 2 ten-digit suffixes, reported in kilograms.
Rates on the nearby lines range from duty-free to 5.5%. The costliest confusion would be with 2836.50.00 (carbonates; peroxocarbonates (percarbonates); commercial ammonium…) at duty-free, a difference of 3.7 points on the customs value.
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.
For statistics it divides in two: 2836.91.00.10 for u.S.P. grade and 2836.91.00.50 for other. Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 25%, 6.8 times the general rate.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2836.20.00 | Disodium carbonate | 1.2% |
| 2836.30.00 | Sodium hydrogencarbonate (Sodium bicarbonate) | Free |
| 2836.40.10 | Dipotassium carbonate | 1.9% |
| 2836.40.20 | Potassium hydrogencarbonate (Potassium bicarbonate) | 1.3% |
| 2836.50.00 | Carbonates; peroxocarbonates (percarbonates); commercial ammonium carbonate containing ammonium carbamate: calcium carbonate | Free |
| 2836.60.00 | Carbonates; peroxocarbonates (percarbonates); commercial ammonium carbonate containing ammonium carbamate: barium carbonate | 2.3% |
| 2836.92.00 | Strontium carbonate | 4.2% |
| 2836.99.10 | Other: cobalt carbonates | 4.2% |
| 2836.99.20 | Other: bismuth carbonate | 5.5% |
| 2836.99.30 | Commercial ammonium carbonate and other ammonium carbonates | 1.7% |
| 2836.99.40 | Other: lead carbonates | 0.5% |
| 2836.99.50 | Other: other | 3.7% |