Analysis
HTS 7217.20.15 covers plated or coated with zinc: flat wire under heading 7217 (wire of iron or nonalloy steel).
There is no general-rate duty on this line, which puts it with roughly 92% of the 262 tariff lines in chapter 72 that are also free. 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 26% instead of nothing, so origin decides between free entry and a 26% duty.
The other lines in the same group are 7217.20.30 (with a diameter of 1.5 mm or more and containing by weight…, duty-free), 7217.20.45 (round wire: other, duty-free), 7217.20.60 (containing by weight less than 0.25 percent of carbon, duty-free) and 7217.20.75 (other: other, duty-free).
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 331222 (Steel Wire Drawing), an industry of 198 US establishments employing 14,260 people, the industry a domestic producer of these goods reports under.
All 4 neighbouring lines carry the same duty-free rate, so a borderline choice between them changes the statistics reported, not the duty paid.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7217.20.30 | With a diameter of 1.5 mm or more and containing by weight less than 0.25 percent of carbon | Free |
| 7217.20.45 | Round wire: other | Free |
| 7217.20.60 | Containing by weight less than 0.25 percent of carbon | Free |
| 7217.20.75 | Other: other | Free |