Analysis
HTS 8308.90.30 covers beads and spangles of base metal under heading 8308 (clasps, frames with clasps, buckles, buckle-clasps, hooks, eyes, eyelets and the like, of…).
Rates on the nearby lines range from 2.7% to 3.9%. The costliest confusion would be with 8308.90.60 (buckles and buckle clasps, and parts thereof) at 3.9%, a difference of 3.9 points on the customs value.
Goods from countries without normal trade relations pay the column 2 rate of 40% instead of nothing, so origin decides between free entry and a 40% duty.
There is no general-rate duty on this line, which puts it with roughly 26% of the 58 tariff lines in chapter 83 that are also free. 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 8308.90.60 (buckles and buckle clasps, and parts thereof, 3.9%) and 8308.90.90 (other, including parts: other, 2.7%).
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 339999 (All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing), an industry of 3,012 US establishments employing 40,510 people, the industry a domestic producer of these goods reports under.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8308.90.60 | Buckles and buckle clasps, and parts thereof | 3.9% |
| 8308.90.90 | Other, including parts: other | 2.7% |