Analysis
HTS 5210.31.80 covers of number 69 or higher number under heading 5210 (woven fabrics of cotton, containing less than 85 percent by weight of cotton, mixed…). 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 15.5%. 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.
Within this group the rate runs from 10% to 12.2%. Compared with 5210.31.40 (of number 42 or lower number), which pays 10%, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 5.5 percentage points.
The general duty rate is 15.5% of the customs value, which is among the highest the rates in chapter 52 (96th percentile of 222 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $1,550 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 43.5%, 2.8 times the general rate.
For statistics it divides in two: 5210.31.80.20 for poplin or broadcloth (314) and 5210.31.80.90 for cheesecloth; lawns, voiles or batistes (226). Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 5210.31.40 | Of number 42 or lower number | 10% |
| 5210.31.60 | Of numbers 43 to 68 | 12.2% |