Analysis
HTS 8483.60.40 covers clutches and universal joints under heading 8483 (transmission shafts (including camshafts and crankshafts) and cranks; bearing housings…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 2 ten-digit suffixes, reported in number of items.
Neighbouring lines carry rates from duty-free to 5.7%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 8483.50.40 (gray-iron awning or tackle pulleys, not over 6.4 cm in wheel diameter), at 5.7%: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 2.9 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 45%, 16.1 times the general rate.
For statistics it divides in two: 8483.60.40.40 for clutches and 8483.60.40.80 for universal joints. Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
Goods that qualify under GSP, the Australia FTA, the Automotive Products Trade Act, the Bahrain FTA, the civil aircraft agreement, and 14 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.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8483.10.10 | Designed for use solely or principally with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engines or rotary engines | 2.5% |
| 8483.10.30 | Camshafts and crankshafts: other | 2.5% |
| 8483.10.50 | Transmission shafts (including camshafts and crankshafts) and cranks: other transmission shafts and cranks | Free |
| 8483.20.40 | Flange, take-up, cartridge and hanger units | 4.5% |
| 8483.20.80 | Housed bearings, incorporating ball or roller bearings: other | 4.5% |
| 8483.30.40 | Flange, take-up, cartridge and hanger units | 4.5% |
| 8483.30.80 | Bearing housings; plain shaft bearings: other | 4.5% |
| 8483.40.10 | Gears and gearing, other than toothed wheels, chain sprockets and other transmission elements entered separately; ball or roller screws; gear boxes and other speed changers, including torque converters: torque converters | Free |
| 8483.40.30 | Imported for use with machines for making cellulosic pulp, paper or paperboard | Free |
| 8483.40.50 | Fixed ratio speed changers, multiple and variable ratio speed changers each ratio of which is selected by manual manipulation: other | 2.5% |
| 8483.40.70 | Gear boxes and other speed changers: other speed changers | 25¢ each + 3.9% |
| 8483.40.80 | Ball or roller screws | 3.8% |
| 8483.40.90 | Gears and gearing, other than toothed wheels, chain sprockets and other transmission elements entered separately | 2.5% |
| 8483.50.40 | Gray-iron awning or tackle pulleys, not over 6.4 cm in wheel diameter | 5.7% |
| 8483.50.60 | Other: flywheels | 2.8% |
| 8483.50.90 | Other: other | 2.8% |
| 8483.60.80 | Clutches and shaft couplings (including universal joints): other | 2.8% |
| 8483.90.10 | Chain sprockets and parts thereof | 2.8% |
| 8483.90.20 | Parts of flange, take-up, cartridge and hanger units | 4.5% |
| 8483.90.30 | Parts of bearing housings and plain shaft bearings: other | 4.5% |
| 8483.90.50 | Parts of gearing, gear boxes and other speed changers | 2.5% |
| 8483.90.70 | Parts of articles of subheading 8483.20 | 5.5% |
| 8483.90.80 | Other: other | 2.8% |