5515.12.00

Analysis

HTS 5515.12.00 covers mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments under heading 5515 (other woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibers). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 6 ten-digit suffixes, reported in square metres and kilograms.

Neighbouring lines carry rates from duty-free to 25%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 5515.99.05 (containing 36 percent or more by weight of wool or fine animal hair), at 25%: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 13 percentage points.

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 12%. 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.

The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 81%, 6.8 times the general rate.

The general duty rate is 12% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 55 (58th percentile of 133 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $1,200 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.

The ten-digit suffixes separate poplin or broadcloth, of a width exceeding 254 cm, printcloth and satin weave or twill weave. The duty is the same across them; the suffix matters for statistics, licensing and some quotas, and an entry needs all ten digits.