Analysis
HTS 3801.20.00 covers colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite under heading 3801 (artificial graphite; colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite; preparations based on graphite…).
This line's footnotes point to one additional provision in Chapter 99: 9903.90.08 (measures on products of Russia). Chapter 99 duties are added on top of the general rate for goods of the countries they name, and they change more often than the rest of the schedule, so check the current CBP guidance before you rely on a total.
Rates on the nearby lines range from duty-free to 4.9%. The costliest confusion would be with 3801.90.00 (artificial graphite; colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite…) at 4.9%, a difference of 4.9 points on the customs value.
There is no general-rate duty on this line, which puts it with roughly 25% of the 179 tariff lines in chapter 38 that are also free. 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%), 3801.10.50 (artificial graphite: other, 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%).
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% |
| 3801.10.50 | Artificial graphite: other | 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% |
Chapter 99 provisions in the footnotes
- 9903.90.08 measures on products of Russia
Articles the product of the Russian Federation, as provided for in U.S. note 30(a) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 30(b) to this subchapter