Analysis
HTS 8544.49.30 covers other: of copper under heading 8544 (insulated (including enameled or anodized) wire, cable (including coaxial cable) and…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 2 ten-digit suffixes, reported in kilograms.
Within this group the rate runs from duty-free to 3.9%. Compared with 8544.49.10 (of a kind used for telecommunications), which pays duty-free, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 5.3 percentage points.
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 40%, 7.5 times the general rate.
For statistics it divides in two: 8544.49.30.40 for for a voltage exceeding 600 V and 8544.49.30.80 for other. Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8544.49.10 | Of a kind used for telecommunications | Free |
| 8544.49.20 | For a voltage not exceeding 80 V: other | 3.5% |
| 8544.49.90 | Other: other | 3.9% |