Analysis
HTS 8544.20.00 covers coaxial cable and other coaxial electric conductors under heading 8544 (insulated (including enameled or anodized) wire, cable (including coaxial cable) and…).
Rates on the nearby lines range from duty-free to 5.3%. The costliest confusion would be with 8544.70.00 (optical fiber cables) at duty-free, a difference of 5.3 points on the customs value.
The general duty rate is 5.3% of the customs value, which is among the highest the rates in chapter 85 (97th percentile of 624 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $530 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 Chile FTA, and 13 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 5.3%. 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%, 6.6 times the general rate.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8544.11.00 | Winding wire: of copper | 3.5% |
| 8544.19.00 | Winding wire: other | 3.9% |
| 8544.30.00 | Ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships | 5% |
| 8544.42.10 | Fitted with modular telephone connectors | Free |
| 8544.42.20 | Of a kind used for telecommunications | Free |
| 8544.42.90 | Other: other | 2.6% |
| 8544.49.10 | Of a kind used for telecommunications | Free |
| 8544.49.20 | For a voltage not exceeding 80 V: other | 3.5% |
| 8544.49.30 | Other: of copper | 5.3% |
| 8544.49.90 | Other: other | 3.9% |
| 8544.60.20 | Fitted with connectors | 3.7% |
| 8544.60.40 | Other: of copper | 3.5% |
| 8544.60.60 | Other: other | 3.2% |
| 8544.70.00 | Optical fiber cables | Free |