Analysis
HTS 2839.11.00 covers sodium metasilicates under heading 2839 (silicates; commercial alkali metal silicates).
Neighbouring lines carry rates from 1.1% to 3.1%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 2839.90.50 (other: other), at 3.1%: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 2 percentage points.
The general duty rate is 1.1% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 28 (32nd percentile of 274 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $110 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
The other lines in the same group are 2839.19.00 (of sodium: other, 1.1%), 2839.90.10 (other: of potassium, 3.1%) and 2839.90.50 (other: other, 3.1%).
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 1.1%. 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.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2839.19.00 | Of sodium: other | 1.1% |
| 2839.90.10 | Other: of potassium | 3.1% |
| 2839.90.50 | Other: other | 3.1% |