Analysis
HTS 2909.50.50 covers other: other under heading 2909 (ethers, ether-alcohols, ether-phenols, ether-alcohol- phenols, alcohol peroxides, ether…).
Goods that qualify under GSP, the Australia FTA, the Bahrain FTA, the Chile FTA, the Colombia TPA, and 13 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 5.5%. 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.
Rates on the nearby lines range from 4.8% to 5.5%. The costliest confusion would be with 2909.50.40 (odoriferous or flavoring compounds) at 4.8%, a difference of 0.7 points on the customs value.
The general duty rate is 5.5% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 29 (55th percentile of 1050 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $550 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
The other lines in the same group are 2909.50.10 (ether-phenols, ether-alcohol-phenols and their halogenated…, 5.5%), 2909.50.20 (guaiacol and its derivatives, 5.5%), 2909.50.40 (odoriferous or flavoring compounds, 4.8%) and 2909.50.45 (products described in additional U.S. note 3 to section VI, 5.5%).
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2909.50.10 | Ether-phenols, ether-alcohol-phenols and their halogenated, sulfonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives: 4-Ethylguaiacol | 5.5% |
| 2909.50.20 | Guaiacol and its derivatives | 5.5% |
| 2909.50.40 | Odoriferous or flavoring compounds | 4.8% |
| 2909.50.45 | Products described in additional U.S. note 3 to section VI | 5.5% |