Analysis
HTS 8203.10.90 covers over 17 cm in length under heading 8203 (files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears…).
There is no general-rate duty on this line, which puts it with roughly 41% of the 95 tariff lines in chapter 82 that are also free. Free here means free of the base duty only: origin-specific Chapter 99 duties such as Section 301 can still be owed.
The other lines in the same group are 8203.10.30 (not over 11 cm in length, duty-free) and 8203.10.60 (over 11 cm but not over 17 cm in length, duty-free).
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 332216 (Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing), an industry of 775 US establishments employing 25,058 people, the industry a domestic producer of these goods reports under.
All 2 neighbouring lines carry the same duty-free rate, so a borderline choice between them changes the statistics reported, not the duty paid.
The general rate of Free has not changed in any edition of the schedule since Jan 2023.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8203.10.30 | Not over 11 cm in length | Free |
| 8203.10.60 | Over 11 cm but not over 17 cm in length | Free |