Analysis
HTS 8546.20.00 covers electrical insulators of any material: of ceramics under heading 8546 (electrical insulators of any material). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 3 ten-digit suffixes, reported in number of items.
Rates on the nearby lines range from duty-free to 2.9%. The costliest confusion would be with 8546.90.00 (electrical insulators of any material: other) at duty-free, a difference of 3 points on the customs value.
The general duty rate is 3% of the customs value, which is above most the rates in chapter 85 (78th percentile of 624 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $300 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 60%, 20.0 times the general rate.
Goods that qualify under GSP, the Australia FTA, the Automotive Products Trade Act, the Bahrain FTA, the Chile FTA, and 14 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 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.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8546.10.00 | Electrical insulators of any material: of glass | 2.9% |
| 8546.90.00 | Electrical insulators of any material: other | Free |