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HTS tariff line · chapter 69

6909.12.00

Articles having a hardness equivalent to 9 or more on the Mohs scale

Analysis

HTS 6909.12.00 covers articles having a hardness equivalent to 9 or more on the Mohs scale under heading 6909 (ceramic wares for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses; ceramic troughs, tubs and…).

Within this group the rate runs from duty-free to 4.5%. Compared with 6909.19.10 (ferrite core memories), which pays duty-free, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 4 percentage points.

The general duty rate is 4% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 69 (34th percentile of 82 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $400 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.

Goods that qualify under GSP, the Australia FTA, the Bahrain FTA, the Chile FTA, the Colombia TPA, and 12 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 4%. 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 45%, 11.2 times the general rate.

Neighbouring lines

LineDescriptionGeneral rate
6909.11.20Of porcelain or china: machinery partsFree
6909.11.40Of porcelain or china: other4.5%
6909.19.10Ferrite core memoriesFree
6909.19.50Other: other4%
6909.90.00Ceramic wares for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses; ceramic troughs, tubs and similar receptacles of a kind used in agriculture; ceramic pots, jars and similar articles of a kind used for the conveyance or packing of goods: other4%