8531.20.00

Analysis

HTS 8531.20.00 covers indicator panels incorporating liquid crystal devices (LCD's) or light emitting diodes (LED) under heading 8531 (electric sound or visual signaling apparatus (for example, bells, sirens, indicator…). 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 1.3%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 8531.80.15 (doorbells, chimes, buzzers and similar apparatus), at 1.3%: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 1.3 percentage points.

For statistics it divides in two: 8531.20.00.20 for incorporating LCD's and 8531.20.00.40 for other. Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.

Goods from countries without normal trade relations pay the column 2 rate of 35% instead of nothing, so origin decides between free entry and a 35% duty.

Goods classified here enter the United States duty-free at the general (normal trade relations) rate, as do about 58% of the 624 tariff lines in chapter 85. Free here means free of the base duty only: origin-specific Chapter 99 duties such as Section 301 can still be owed.