Analysis
HTS 5906.99.20 covers over 70 percent by weight of rubber or plastics under heading 5906 (rubberized textile fabrics, other than those of heading 5902).
Within this group the rate runs from duty-free to 3.3%. Compared with 5906.99.30 (other: other), which pays 3.3%, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 3.3 percentage points.
The normal trade relations rate here is zero, shared by about 37% of the 59 tariff lines in chapter 59, a useful check when a neighbouring dutiable line is a candidate. Chapter 99 measures such as Section 301 or 232 can still apply on top, depending on where the goods come from.
Goods from countries without normal trade relations pay the column 2 rate of 25% instead of nothing, so origin decides between free entry and a 25% duty.
The other lines in the same group are 5906.99.10 (other: of cotton, 2.7%), 5906.99.25 (of man-made fibers: other (229), duty-free) and 5906.99.30 (other: other, 3.3%).
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 313320 (Fabric Coating Mills), an industry of 147 US establishments employing 6,992 people. That concordance is how imports of this line are compared with US output.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 5906.99.10 | Other: of cotton | 2.7% |
| 5906.99.25 | Of man-made fibers: other (229) | Free |
| 5906.99.30 | Other: other | 3.3% |