Analysis
HTS 5208.12.80 covers of number 69 or higher number under heading 5208 (woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 percent or more by weight of cotton, weighing not…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 2 ten-digit suffixes, reported in square metres and kilograms.
Goods that qualify under the Australia FTA, the Bahrain FTA, the Chile FTA, the Colombia TPA, the Israel FTA, and 9 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 10.5%. 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.
Rates on the nearby lines range from 7% to 9%. The costliest confusion would be with 5208.12.40 (of number 42 or lower number) at 7%, a difference of 3.5 points on the customs value.
The general duty rate is 10.5% of the customs value, which is above most the rates in chapter 52 (79th percentile of 222 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $1,050 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
For statistics it divides in two: 5208.12.80.20 for poplin or broadcloth (314) and 5208.12.80.90 for cheesecloth; lawns, voiles or batistes (226). Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 32.5%, 3.1 times the general rate.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 5208.12.40 | Of number 42 or lower number | 7% |
| 5208.12.60 | Of numbers 43 to 68 | 9% |