Analysis
Heading 8508 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule covers vacuum cleaners; parts thereof. It divides into 4 six-digit subheadings and 4 eight-digit tariff lines, with 4 ten-digit statistical suffixes below them.
Every one of its 4 tariff lines is duty-free at the general rate, so classification within the heading affects statistics and Chapter 99 measures rather than the base duty.
The largest subheadings are 8508.11 (unnamed, 1 line), 8508.19 (unnamed, 1 line), 8508.60 (unnamed, 1 line) and 8508.70 (unnamed, 1 line).
Its median rate of duty-free sits at the 29th percentile of the headings in chapter 85.
By Census's concordance, most of its statistical lines are made by Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing (335210). Those are the NAICS industries a US producer of these goods would report under.
The heading text decides whether a product belongs here at all (General Rule of Interpretation 1); the subheadings and lines below it only apply once that is settled. Section and chapter notes can override the heading wording, so read them for borderline goods.
Tariff lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8508.11.00 | Of a power not exceeding 1,500 W and having a dust bag or other receptacle capacity not exceeding 20 l | Free |
| 8508.19.00 | With self-contained electric motor: other | Free |
| 8508.60.00 | Vacuum cleaners; parts thereof: other vacuum cleaners | Free |
| 8508.70.00 | Vacuum cleaners; parts thereof: parts | Free |