Analysis
HTS 3801.10.50 covers artificial graphite: other under heading 3801 (artificial graphite; colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite; preparations based on graphite…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 2 ten-digit suffixes, reported in kilograms.
Within this group the rate runs from duty-free to 4.9%. Compared with 3801.90.00 (artificial graphite; colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite…), which pays 4.9%, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 4.9 percentage points.
For statistics it divides in two: 3801.10.50.10 for surface-modified spherical graphite and 3801.10.50.90 for other. Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
The normal trade relations rate here is zero, shared by about 25% of the 179 tariff lines in chapter 38, a useful check when a neighbouring dutiable line is a candidate. Free here means free of the base duty only: origin-specific Chapter 99 duties such as Section 301 can still be owed.
The other lines in the same group are 3801.10.10 (plates, rods, powder and other forms, wholly or partly…, 3.7%), 3801.20.00 (colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite, duty-free), 3801.30.00 (carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and similar pastes for…, 4.9%) and 3801.90.00 (artificial graphite; colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite…, 4.9%).
Statistical suffixes
| Code | Description | Units | NAICS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3801.10.50.10 | Surface-modified spherical graphite | kg | |
| 3801.10.50.90 | Other | kg |
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3801.10.10 | Plates, rods, powder and other forms, wholly or partly manufactured, for manufacturing into brushes for electric generators, motors or other machines or appliances | 3.7% |
| 3801.20.00 | Colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite | Free |
| 3801.30.00 | Carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and similar pastes for furnace linings | 4.9% |
| 3801.90.00 | Artificial graphite; colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite; preparations based on graphite or other carbon in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semimanufactures: other | 4.9% |