5508

Analysis

Heading 5508 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule covers sewing thread of man-made staple fibers, whether or not put up for retail sale. It divides into 2 six-digit subheadings and 2 eight-digit tariff lines, with 2 ten-digit statistical suffixes below them.

None of its 2 lines is duty-free at the general rate. Rates run from 11% to 11.4% with a median of 11.2%, so the line you choose sets the duty.

The largest subheadings are 5508.10 (unnamed, 1 line) and 5508.20 (unnamed, 1 line).

By Census's concordance, most of its statistical lines are made by Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills (313110). Those are the NAICS industries a US producer of these goods would report under.

Its median rate of 11.2% sits at the 48th percentile of the headings in chapter 55.

The heading text decides whether a product belongs here at all (General Rule of Interpretation 1); the subheadings and lines below it only apply once that is settled. Section and chapter notes can override the heading wording, so read them for borderline goods.