Analysis
HTS 8501.10.60 covers of 18.65 W or more but not exceeding 37.5 W under heading 8501 (electric motors and generators (excluding generating sets)). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 4 ten-digit suffixes, reported in number of items.
Rates on the nearby lines range from 4.4% to 6.7%. The costliest confusion would be with 8501.10.20 (synchronous, valued not over $4 each) at 6.7%, a difference of 3.9 points on the customs value.
The general duty rate is 2.8% of the customs value, which is above most the rates in chapter 85 (77th percentile of 624 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 35%, 12.5 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 2.8%. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 8501.10.20 | Synchronous, valued not over $4 each | 6.7% |
| 8501.10.40 | Of under 18.65 W: other | 4.4% |