Analysis
HTS 3812.20.50 covers compound plasticizers for rubber or plastics: other under heading 3812 (prepared rubber accelerators; compound plasticizers for rubber or plastics, not elsewhere…).
Neighbouring lines carry rates from duty-free to 6.5%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 3812.39.70 (bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate), at duty-free: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 5 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 5%. 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 5% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 38 (60th percentile of 179 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $500 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 25%, 5.0 times the general rate.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3812.10.10 | Containing any aromatic or modified aromatic rubber accelerator | 6.5% |
| 3812.10.50 | Prepared rubber accelerators: other | 5% |
| 3812.20.10 | Containing any aromatic or modified aromatic plasticizer | 6.5% |
| 3812.31.00 | Mixtures of oligomers of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (TMQ) | 6.5% |
| 3812.39.20 | Mixtures of N,N'-diaryl-p-phenylenediamines | 6.5% |
| 3812.39.30 | Master batches of poly[nitrilomethanetetraaryl- nitrilo[2,4,6- tris(1-methylethyl)-1,3- phenylene]]-2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenyl]-ω- [[[[2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenyl]amino]- methylene]amino]carbodiimide or 2,4-diisocyanate-1,3,5-tris(1-methylethyl)- benzene homopolymer with polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or thermoplastic polyurethanes;Master batches of 3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5- (tert-butyl)-4-hydroxybenzenepropanoic acid, C7-C9 branched or linear alkyl esters; andMaster batches of α-[3-[3-(2H-benzotriazol-2- yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-1- oxopropyl-ω-[3-[3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5- (1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-1-oxo- propyl] poly(oxyethylene) | Free |
| 3812.39.60 | Containing any aromatic or modified aromatic antioxidant or other stabilizer: other | 6.5% |
| 3812.39.70 | Bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate | Free |
| 3812.39.90 | Other: other | 5% |