Analysis
HTS 8504.10.00 covers ballasts for discharge lamps or tubes under heading 8504 (electrical transformers, static converters (for example, rectifiers) and inductors; parts…).
Within this group the rate runs from duty-free to 6.6%. Compared with 8504.31.40 (having a power handling capacity less than 1 kVA), which pays 6.6%, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 3.6 percentage points.
The general duty rate is 3% of the customs value, which is above most the rates in chapter 85 (78th percentile of 624 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $300 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
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 3%. 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.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 35%, 11.7 times the general rate.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8504.21.00 | Having a power handling capacity not exceeding 650 kVA | Free |
| 8504.22.00 | Having a power handling capacity exceeding 650 kVA but not exceeding 10,000 kVA | Free |
| 8504.23.00 | Having a power handling capacity exceeding 10,000 kVA | 1.6% |
| 8504.31.20 | Having a power handling capacity not exceeding 1 kVA: unrated | Free |
| 8504.31.40 | Having a power handling capacity less than 1 kVA | 6.6% |
| 8504.31.60 | Having a power handling capacity of 1 kVA | 1.6% |
| 8504.32.00 | Having a power handling capacity exceeding 1 kVA but not exceeding 16 kVA | 2.4% |
| 8504.33.00 | Having a power handling capacity exceeding 16 kVA but not exceeding 500 kVA | 1.6% |
| 8504.34.00 | Having a power handling capacity exceeding 500 kVA | 1.6% |
| 8504.40.40 | Speed drive controllers for electric motors | Free |
| 8504.40.60 | Suitable for physical incorporation into automatic data processing machines or units thereof of heading 8471 | Free |
| 8504.40.70 | Power supplies for automatic data processing machines or units thereof of heading 8471; power supplies for goods of subheading 8443.31 or 8443.32; power supplies for monitors of subheading 8528.42 or 8528.52 or projectors of subheading 8528.62: other | Free |
| 8504.40.85 | For telecommunication apparatus | Free |
| 8504.40.95 | Static converters: other | Free |
| 8504.50.40 | For power supplies for automatic data processing machines or units thereof of heading 8471; power supplies for goods of subheading 8443.31 or 8443.32; power supplies for monitors of subheading 8528.42 or 8528.52 or projectors of subheading 8528.62; for telecommunication apparatus | Free |
| 8504.50.80 | Other inductors: other | Free |
| 8504.90.20 | Printed circuit assemblies | Free |
| 8504.90.41 | Of power supplies for automatic data processing machines or units thereof of heading 8471; of power supplies for goods of subheading 8443.31 or 8443.32; of power supplies for monitors of subheading 8528.42 or 8528.52 or projectors of subheading 8528.62: other | Free |
| 8504.90.65 | Of the goods of subheading 8504.40 or 8504.50 for telecommunication apparatus | Free |
| 8504.90.75 | Printed circuit assemblies: other | Free |
| 8504.90.96 | Other: other | Free |