4001

Analysis

Heading 4001 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule covers natural rubber, balata, gutta-percha, guayule, chicle and similar natural gums, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip. It divides into 5 six-digit subheadings and 5 eight-digit tariff lines, with 16 ten-digit statistical suffixes below them.

Every one of its 5 tariff lines is duty-free at the general rate, so classification within the heading affects statistics and Chapter 99 measures rather than the base duty.

Its median rate of duty-free sits at the 19th percentile of the headings in chapter 40.

The largest subheadings are 4001.10 (unnamed, 1 line), 4001.21 (unnamed, 1 line), 4001.22 (unnamed, 1 line) and 4001.29 (unnamed, 1 line).

By Census's concordance, most of its statistical lines are made by Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (113210). Those are the NAICS industries a US producer of these goods would report under.

The heading text decides whether a product belongs here at all (General Rule of Interpretation 1); the subheadings and lines below it only apply once that is settled. Section and chapter notes can override the heading wording, so read them for borderline goods.