Analysis
HTS 7305.31.40 covers of iron or nonalloy steel under heading 7305 (other tubes and pipes (for example, welded, riveted or similarly closed), having circular…).
There is no general-rate duty on this line, which puts it with roughly 77% of the 250 tariff lines in chapter 73 that are also free. Duty-free at the general rate does not rule out additional duties under Chapter 99, such as Section 301 or Section 232 measures, which depend on the country of origin.
The other lines in the same group are 7305.31.20 (tapered pipes and tubes of steel principally used as parts…, duty-free) and 7305.31.60 (other: of alloy steel, duty-free).
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 331110 (Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing), an industry of 359 US establishments employing 78,532 people, the industry a domestic producer of these goods reports under.
Goods from countries without normal trade relations pay the column 2 rate of 5.5% instead of nothing, so origin decides between free entry and a 5.5% duty.
All 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 7305.31.20 | Tapered pipes and tubes of steel principally used as parts of illuminating articles | Free |
| 7305.31.60 | Other: of alloy steel | Free |