8480.30.00

Analysis

HTS 8480.30.00 covers molding boxes for metal foundry; mold bases; molding patterns; molds for metal (other than ingot molds), metal carbides, glass, mineral materials, rubber or… under heading 8480 (molding boxes for metal foundry; mold bases; molding patterns; molds for metal (other…).

Neighbouring lines carry rates from duty-free to 3.8%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 8480.79.10 (molds for shoe machinery), at duty-free: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 2.8 percentage points.

The general duty rate is 2.8% of the customs value, which is above most the rates in chapter 84 (73rd percentile of 823 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $280 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.

The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 50%, 17.9 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 2.8%. 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.