Analysis
HTS 4202.22.70 covers containing 85 percent or more by weight of silk or silk waste under heading 4202 (trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle…).
Within this group the rate runs from 5.7% to 17.6%. Compared with 4202.22.89 (other: other), which pays 17.6%, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 10.6 percentage points.
Goods that qualify under the Australia FTA, the Bahrain FTA, the Chile FTA, the Colombia TPA, AGOA, and 12 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 7%. 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 65%, 9.3 times the general rate.
The general duty rate is 7% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 42 (53rd percentile of 88 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $700 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4202.22.15 | With outer surface of sheeting of plastics | 16% |
| 4202.22.35 | Wholly or in part of braid: of abaca | 8.4% |
| 4202.22.40 | Wholly or in part of braid: other | 7.4% |
| 4202.22.45 | Of vegetable fibers and not of pile or tufted construction: of cotton (369) | 6.3% |
| 4202.22.60 | Of vegetable fibers and not of pile or tufted construction: other (871) | 5.7% |
| 4202.22.81 | Of man-made fibers (670) | 17.6% |
| 4202.22.89 | Other: other | 17.6% |