Analysis
HTS 7319.90.10 covers sewing, darning or embroidery needles under heading 7319 (sewing needles, knitting needles, bodkins, crochet hooks, embroidery stilettos and…).
Within this group the rate runs from duty-free to 4.5%. Compared with 7319.40.20 (safety pins and other pins: safety pins), which pays 4.5%, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 4.5 percentage points.
The normal trade relations rate here is zero, shared by about 77% of the 250 tariff lines in chapter 73, a useful check when a neighbouring dutiable line is a candidate. 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 7319.40.20 (safety pins and other pins: safety pins, 4.5%), 7319.40.30 (dressmakers' or common pins, 4.1%), 7319.40.50 (safety pins and other pins: other, duty-free) and 7319.90.90 (other: other, 2.9%).
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 339993 (Fastener, Button, Needle, and Pin Manufacturing), an industry of 89 US establishments employing 3,341 people. That concordance is how imports of this line are compared with US output.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7319.40.20 | Safety pins and other pins: safety pins | 4.5% |
| 7319.40.30 | Dressmakers' or common pins | 4.1% |
| 7319.40.50 | Safety pins and other pins: other | Free |
| 7319.90.90 | Other: other | 2.9% |