Analysis
HTS 3402.39.90 covers other: other under heading 3402 (organic surface-active agents (other than soap); surface-active preparations, washing…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 3 ten-digit suffixes, reported in kilograms.
Neighbouring lines carry rates from duty-free to 6.5%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 3402.50.51 (preparations put up for retail sale: other), at duty-free: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 3.7 percentage points.
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 general duty rate is 3.7% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 34 (55th percentile of 41 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3402.31.10 | Aromatic or modified aromatic | 6.5% |
| 3402.31.90 | Linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acids and their salts: other | 3.7% |
| 3402.39.10 | Aromatic or modified aromatic | 4% |
| 3402.41.10 | Aromatic or modified aromatic | 4% |
| 3402.41.90 | Cationic: other | 4% |
| 3402.42.10 | Aromatic or modified aromatic | 4% |
| 3402.42.20 | Fatty substances of animal, vegetable or microbial origin | 4% |
| 3402.42.90 | Other: other | 3.7% |
| 3402.49.10 | Aromatic or modified aromatic | 4% |
| 3402.49.90 | Other: other | 3.7% |
| 3402.50.11 | Containing any aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agent | 4% |
| 3402.50.51 | Preparations put up for retail sale: other | Free |
| 3402.90.10 | Synthetic detergents | 3.8% |
| 3402.90.30 | Containing any aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agent | 4% |
| 3402.90.50 | Other: other | 3.7% |