Analysis
HTS 8301.50.00 covers clasps and frames with clasps, incorporating locks under heading 8301 (padlocks and locks (key, combination or electrically operated), of base metal; clasps and…).
Rates on the nearby lines range from 2.3% to 6.1%. The costliest confusion would be with 8301.10.60 (not over 3.8 cm in width) at 6.1%, a difference of 3 points on the customs value.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 45%, 14.5 times the general rate.
Goods that qualify under GSP, the Australia FTA, the Bahrain FTA, the Chile FTA, the Colombia TPA, and 12 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 3.1%. 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 general duty rate is 3.1% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 83 (42nd percentile of 58 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $310 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8301.10.20 | Not over 3.8 cm in width | 2.3% |
| 8301.10.40 | Over 3.8 cm but not over 6.4 cm in width | 3.8% |
| 8301.10.50 | Over 6.4 cm in width | 3.6% |
| 8301.10.60 | Not over 3.8 cm in width | 6.1% |
| 8301.10.80 | Over 3.8 cm but not over 6.4 cm in width | 4.8% |
| 8301.10.90 | Over 6.4 cm in width | 4.2% |
| 8301.20.00 | Locks of a kind used on motor vehicles | 5.7% |
| 8301.30.00 | Locks of a kind used for furniture | 5.7% |
| 8301.40.30 | Other locks: luggage locks | 3.1% |
| 8301.40.60 | Other locks: other | 5.7% |
| 8301.60.00 | Padlocks and locks (key, combination or electrically operated), of base metal; clasps and frames with clasps, incorporating locks, of base metal; keys and parts of any of the foregoing articles, of base metal: parts | 2.8% |
| 8301.70.00 | Keys presented separately | 4.5% |