Analysis
HTS 3920.51.50 covers of poly(methyl methacrylate): other under heading 3920 (other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics, noncellular and not reinforced…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 2 ten-digit suffixes, reported in kilograms.
Neighbouring lines carry rates from duty-free to 6.5%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 3920.59.40 (transparent sheeting containing 30 percent or more by weight of lead), at duty-free: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 6.5 percentage points.
The general duty rate is 6.5% of the customs value, which is above most the rates in chapter 39 (86th percentile of 236 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $650 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 6.5%. 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 column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 48.2%, 7.4 times the general rate.
For statistics it divides in two: 3920.51.50.50 for sheets, not flexible, containing flame retardant and 3920.51.50.90 for other. Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3920.10.00 | Of polymers of ethylene | 4.2% |
| 3920.20.00 | Of polymers of propylene | 4.2% |
| 3920.30.00 | Of polymers of styrene | 5.8% |
| 3920.43.10 | Made in imitation of patent leather | 3.1% |
| 3920.43.50 | Containing by weight not less than 6 percent of plasticizers: other | 4.2% |
| 3920.49.00 | Of polymers of vinyl chloride: other | 5.8% |
| 3920.51.10 | Of poly(methyl methacrylate): flexible | 6% |
| 3920.59.10 | Other: flexible | 6% |
| 3920.59.40 | Transparent sheeting containing 30 percent or more by weight of lead | Free |
| 3920.59.80 | Other: other | 6.5% |
| 3920.61.00 | Of polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyallyl esters or other polyesters: of polycarbonates | 5.8% |
| 3920.62.00 | Of poly(ethylene terephthalate) | 4.2% |
| 3920.63.10 | Of unsaturated polyesters: flexible | 4.2% |
| 3920.63.20 | Of unsaturated polyesters: other | 5.8% |
| 3920.69.00 | Of other polyesters | 4.2% |
| 3920.71.00 | Of regenerated cellulose | 6.2% |
| 3920.73.00 | Of cellulose acetate | 2.9% |
| 3920.79.05 | Of vulcanized fiber | 3.1% |
| 3920.79.10 | Film, strip and sheets, not over 0.076 mm in thickness | 6.2% |
| 3920.79.50 | Other: other | 3.7% |
| 3920.91.00 | Of poly(vinyl butyral) | 4.2% |
| 3920.92.00 | Of other plastics: of polyamides | 4.2% |
| 3920.93.00 | Of other plastics: of amino-resins | 5.8% |
| 3920.94.00 | Of phenolic resins | 5.8% |
| 3920.99.10 | Over 0.152 mm in thickness, and not in rolls | 6% |
| 3920.99.20 | Film, strip and sheets, all the foregoing which are flexible: other | 4.2% |
| 3920.99.50 | Of other plastics: other | 5.8% |