Analysis
Subheading 3402.50 covers preparations put up for retail sale, within heading 3402. The first six digits are shared by every country that uses the Harmonized System, so this part of the code is the same in the US, UK and EU schedules; the 2 US tariff lines below it are national.
1 of its 2 lines with a percentage rate are duty-free at the general rate (50%) and 1 are dutiable, from duty-free up to 4%. The median line pays 2%.
The US splits it as follows: 3402.50.11 for containing any aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agent (4%) and 3402.50.51 for preparations put up for retail sale: other (duty-free).
By Census's concordance, most of its statistical lines are made by Surface Active Agent Manufacturing (325613). Those are the NAICS industries a US producer of these goods would report under.
Goods only reach 3402.50 once they fall within heading 3402 (organic surface-active agents (other than soap); surface-active preparations, washing…). Under General Rule 6, subheadings are then compared only with others at the same level, so a product is matched against its siblings, not against lines elsewhere in the chapter.
Tariff lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3402.50.11 | Containing any aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agent | 4% |
| 3402.50.51 | Preparations put up for retail sale: other | Free |