Analysis
HTS 8542.90.00 covers electronic integrated circuits; parts thereof: parts under heading 8542 (electronic integrated circuits; parts thereof).
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.
There is no general-rate duty on this line, which puts it with roughly 58% of the 624 tariff lines in chapter 85 that are also free. Free here means free of the base duty only: origin-specific Chapter 99 duties such as Section 301 can still be owed.
The other lines in the same group are 8542.31.00 (processors and controllers, whether or not combined with…, duty-free), 8542.32.00 (electronic integrated circuits: memories, duty-free), 8542.33.00 (electronic integrated circuits: amplifiers, duty-free) and 8542.39.00 (electronic integrated circuits: other, duty-free).
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 334413 (Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing), an industry of 822 US establishments employing 116,831 people, the industry a domestic producer of these goods reports under.
All 4 neighbouring lines carry the same duty-free rate, so a borderline choice between them changes the statistics reported, not the duty paid.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8542.31.00 | Processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits | Free |
| 8542.32.00 | Electronic integrated circuits: memories | Free |
| 8542.33.00 | Electronic integrated circuits: amplifiers | Free |
| 8542.39.00 | Electronic integrated circuits: other | Free |