5603.94

Analysis

Subheading 5603.94 covers weighing more than 150 g/m2, within heading 5603. The first six digits are shared by every country that uses the Harmonized System, so this part of the code is the same in the US, UK and EU schedules; the 3 US tariff lines below it are national.

Every one of its 3 tariff lines is duty-free at the general rate, so classification within the subheading affects statistics and Chapter 99 measures rather than the base duty.

The US splits it as follows: 5603.94.10 for floor covering underlays (duty-free), 5603.94.30 for laminated fabrics (223) (duty-free) and 5603.94.90 for other: other (duty-free).

By Census's concordance, most of its statistical lines are made by Nonwoven Fabric Mills (313230). Those are the NAICS industries a US producer of these goods would report under.

Goods only reach 5603.94 once they fall within heading 5603 (nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated). Under General Rule 6, subheadings are then compared only with others at the same level, so a product is matched against its siblings, not against lines elsewhere in the chapter.