8540.11.10

Analysis

HTS 8540.11.10 covers non-high definition, non-projection, having a video display diagonal exceeding 35.56 cm under heading 8540 (thermionic, cold cathode or photocathode tubes (for example, vacuum or vapor or gas…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 5 ten-digit suffixes, reported in number of items.

Neighbouring lines carry rates from 7.5% to 15%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 8540.11.44 (having a video display diagonal not exceeding 34.29 cm), at 7.5%: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 7.5 percentage points.

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 15%. 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 general duty rate is 15% of the customs value, which is among the highest the rates in chapter 85 (100th percentile of 624 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $1,500 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.

The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 60%, 4.0 times the general rate.