Analysis
HTS 8481.20.00 covers valves for oleohydraulic or pneumatic transmissions under heading 8481 (taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 8 ten-digit suffixes, reported in number of items and kilograms.
Neighbouring lines carry rates from duty-free to 5.6%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 8481.80.30 (hand operated: of iron or steel), at 5.6%: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 3.6 percentage points.
The general duty rate is 2% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 84 (63rd percentile of 823 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $200 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 35%, 17.5 times the general rate.
The ten-digit suffixes separate manual type, solenoid type, flow control type and solenoid type. The duty is the same across them; the suffix matters for statistics, licensing and some quotas, and an entry needs all ten digits.
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%. 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.
Statistical suffixes
| Code | Description | Units | NAICS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8481.20.00.10 | Manual type | No., kg | 332912 |
| 8481.20.00.20 | Solenoid type | No., kg | 332912 |
| 8481.20.00.30 | Other | No., kg | 332912 |
| 8481.20.00.40 | Flow control type | No., kg | 332912 |
| 8481.20.00.50 | Other | No., kg | 332912 |
| 8481.20.00.60 | Solenoid type | No., kg | 332912 |
| 8481.20.00.70 | Other | No., kg | 332912 |
| 8481.20.00.80 | Other | No., kg | 332912 |
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8481.10.00 | Pressure-reducing valves | 2% |
| 8481.30.10 | Check (nonreturn) valves: of copper | 3% |
| 8481.30.20 | Check (nonreturn) valves: of iron or steel | 5% |
| 8481.30.90 | Check (nonreturn) valves: other | 3% |
| 8481.40.00 | Safety or relief valves | 2% |
| 8481.80.10 | Hand operated: of copper | 4% |
| 8481.80.30 | Hand operated: of iron or steel | 5.6% |
| 8481.80.50 | Of other materials | 3% |
| 8481.80.90 | Other appliances: other | 2% |
| 8481.90.10 | Of hand operated and check appliances: of copper | 3% |
| 8481.90.30 | Of hand operated and check appliances: of iron or steel | 5% |
| 8481.90.50 | Of other materials | 3% |
| 8481.90.90 | Parts: other | Free |