8408.20.20

Analysis

HTS 8408.20.20 covers to be installed in vehicles of subheading 8701.21, 8701.22, 8701.23, 8701.24 or 8701.29, or heading 8702, 8703 or 8704 under heading 8408 (compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines)).

Neighbouring lines carry rates from duty-free to 2.5%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 8408.20.10 (to be installed in tractors suitable for agricultural use), at duty-free: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 2.5 percentage points.

The general duty rate is 2.5% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 84 (68th percentile of 823 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $250 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.

The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 35%, 14.0 times the general rate.

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 2.5%. 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.