Analysis
HTS 7318.15.60 covers having shanks or threads with a diameter of less than 6 mm under heading 7318 (screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, screw hooks, rivets, cotters, cotter pins, washers…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 4 ten-digit suffixes, reported in kilograms.
Within this group the rate runs from duty-free to 8.5%. Compared with 7318.15.50 (other screws and bolts, whether or not with their nuts or washers…), which pays duty-free, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 6.2 percentage points.
The general duty rate is 6.2% of the customs value, which is among the highest the rates in chapter 73 (96th percentile of 250 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $620 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 6.2%. 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.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 45%, 7.3 times the general rate.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7318.15.20 | Bolts and bolts and their nuts or washers entered or exported in the same shipment | Free |
| 7318.15.40 | Machine screws 9.5 mm or more in length and 3.2 mm or more in diameter (not including cap screws) | Free |
| 7318.15.50 | Other screws and bolts, whether or not with their nuts or washers: studs | Free |
| 7318.15.80 | Having shanks or threads with a diameter of 6 mm or more | 8.5% |