Analysis
HTS 7018.90.10 covers glass eyes, except prosthetic articles under heading 7018 (glass beads, imitation pearls, imitation precious or semiprecious stones and similar…).
Within this group the rate runs from duty-free to 6.6%. Compared with 7018.90.50 (other: other), which pays 6.6%, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 3.4 percentage points.
The general duty rate is 3.2% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 70 (33rd percentile of 192 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $320 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 70%, 21.9 times the general rate.
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 3.2%. 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.
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 339930 (Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing), an industry of 485 US establishments employing 5,442 people. That concordance is how imports of this line are compared with US output.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7018.10.10 | Imitation pearls and imitation pearl beads of all shapes and colors, drilled or not drilled, but not strung (except temporarily) and not set | 4% |
| 7018.10.20 | Imitation precious or semiprecious stones (except imitation beads thereof) | Free |
| 7018.10.50 | Glass beads, imitation pearls, imitation precious or semiprecious stones and similar glass smallwares: other | Free |
| 7018.20.00 | Glass microspheres not exceeding 1 mm in diameter | 5% |
| 7018.90.50 | Other: other | 6.6% |