Analysis
HTS 7307.23.00 covers butt welding fittings under heading 7307 (tube or pipe fittings (for example, couplings, elbows, sleeves), of iron or steel). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 2 ten-digit suffixes, reported in kilograms.
Within this group the rate runs from duty-free to 6.2%. Compared with 7307.92.30 (sleeves (couplings)), which pays duty-free, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 5 percentage points.
The general duty rate is 5% of the customs value, which is among the highest the rates in chapter 73 (90th percentile of 250 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $500 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
Goods that qualify under GSP, the Australia FTA, the Automotive Products Trade Act, the Bahrain FTA, the Chile FTA, and 13 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 5%. 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%, 9.0 times the general rate.
For statistics it divides in two: 7307.23.00.30 for not machined, not tooled and not otherwise processed after… and 7307.23.00.90 for other. Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7307.11.00 | Of nonmalleable cast iron | 4.8% |
| 7307.19.30 | Other: ductile fittings | 5.6% |
| 7307.19.90 | Other: other | 6.2% |
| 7307.21.10 | Not machined, not tooled and not otherwise processed after forging | 3.3% |
| 7307.21.50 | Flanges: other | 5.6% |
| 7307.22.10 | Sleeves (couplings) | Free |
| 7307.22.50 | Threaded elbows, bends and sleeves: other | 6.2% |
| 7307.29.00 | Other, of stainless steel: other | 5% |
| 7307.91.10 | Of iron or nonalloy steel | 3.3% |
| 7307.91.30 | Of alloy steel (except stainless steel) | 3.2% |
| 7307.91.50 | Flanges: other | 5.5% |
| 7307.92.30 | Sleeves (couplings) | Free |
| 7307.92.90 | Threaded elbows, bends and sleeves: other | 6.2% |
| 7307.93.30 | Of iron or nonalloy steel | 6.2% |
| 7307.93.60 | Of alloy steel (except stainless steel) | 5.5% |
| 7307.93.90 | With an inside diameter of 360 mm or more | 4.3% |
| 7307.99.10 | Of iron or nonalloy steel | 3.7% |
| 7307.99.30 | Of alloy steel (except stainless steel) | 3.2% |
| 7307.99.50 | Other: other | 4.3% |