Analysis
HTS 3402.41.90 covers cationic: other under heading 3402 (organic surface-active agents (other than soap); surface-active preparations, washing…).
Within this group the rate runs from duty-free to 6.5%. Compared with 3402.50.51 (preparations put up for retail sale: other), which pays duty-free, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 4 percentage points.
The general duty rate is 4% of the customs value, which is above most the rates in chapter 34 (74th percentile of 41 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $400 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 4%. 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.
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 325613 (Surface Active Agent Manufacturing), an industry of 106 US establishments employing 6,174 people. That concordance is how imports of this line are compared with US output.
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% |
| 3402.39.90 | Other: other | 3.7% |
| 3402.41.10 | Aromatic or modified aromatic | 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% |