Analysis
HTS 5208.59.60 covers of numbers 43 to 68 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 9.7%. 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.
Rates on the nearby lines range from 6% to 11.4%. The costliest confusion would be with 5208.59.40 (of number 42 or lower number) at 6%, a difference of 3.7 points on the customs value.
The general duty rate is 9.7% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 52 (66th percentile of 222 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $970 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
For statistics it divides in two: 5208.59.60.20 for oxford cloth (227) and 5208.59.60.90 for other (220). Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 27.7%, 2.9 times the general rate.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 5208.59.10 | 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill (317) | 8.8% |
| 5208.59.20 | Satin weave or twill weave, other than 3-thread or 4-thread twill or cross twill | 10.3% |
| 5208.59.40 | Of number 42 or lower number | 6% |
| 5208.59.80 | Of number 69 or higher number | 11.4% |