Analysis
HTS 5209.11.00 covers unbleached: plain weave under heading 5209 (woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 percent or more by weight of cotton, weighing more…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 5 ten-digit suffixes, reported in square metres and kilograms.
Rates on the nearby lines range from 3% to 8.4%. The costliest confusion would be with 5209.51.30 (certified hand-loomed fabrics) at 3%, a difference of 3.5 points on the customs value.
The general duty rate is 6.5% of the customs value, which is at the low end of the rates in chapter 52 (19th percentile of 222 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $650 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
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 6.5%. 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.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 5209.12.00 | 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill | 6.5% |
| 5209.19.00 | Unbleached: other fabrics | 6.5% |
| 5209.21.00 | Bleached: plain weave | 7.7% |
| 5209.22.00 | 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill | 7.7% |
| 5209.29.00 | Bleached: other fabrics | 7.7% |
| 5209.31.30 | Certified hand-loomed fabrics | 3% |
| 5209.31.60 | Plain weave: other | 8.4% |
| 5209.32.00 | 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill | 8.4% |
| 5209.39.00 | Dyed: other fabrics | 8.4% |
| 5209.41.30 | Certified hand-loomed fabrics | 3% |
| 5209.41.60 | Plain weave: other | 7.5% |
| 5209.42.00 | Of yarns of different colors: denim | 8.4% |
| 5209.43.00 | Of yarns of different colors: other fabrics of 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill | 8.4% |
| 5209.49.00 | Of yarns of different colors: other fabrics | 8.4% |
| 5209.51.30 | Certified hand-loomed fabrics | 3% |
| 5209.51.60 | Plain weave: other | 8.4% |
| 5209.52.00 | 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill | 8.4% |
| 5209.59.00 | Printed: other fabrics | 8.4% |