Analysis
HTS 4501.90.40 covers crushed, granulated or ground cork under heading 4501 (natural cork, raw or simply prepared; waste cork; crushed, granulated or ground cork).
The normal trade relations rate here is zero, shared by about 95% of the 19 tariff lines in chapter 45, a useful check when a neighbouring dutiable line is a candidate. Duty-free at the general rate does not rule out additional duties under Chapter 99, such as Section 301 or Section 232 measures, which depend on the country of origin.
The other lines in the same group are 4501.10.00 (natural cork, raw or simply prepared, duty-free) and 4501.90.20 (other: waste cork, duty-free).
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 321999 (All Other Miscellaneous Wood Product Manufacturing), an industry of 2,327 US establishments employing 31,381 people. That concordance is how imports of this line are compared with US output.
All 2 neighbouring lines carry the same duty-free rate, so a borderline choice between them changes the statistics reported, not the duty paid.
The general rate of Free has not changed in any edition of the schedule since Jan 2023.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4501.10.00 | Natural cork, raw or simply prepared | Free |
| 4501.90.20 | Other: waste cork | Free |