Analysis
HTS 9013.20.00 covers lasers, other than laser diodes under heading 9013 (lasers, other than laser diodes; other optical appliances and instruments, not specified…).
Neighbouring lines carry rates from duty-free to 16%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 9013.90.20 (of telescopic sights for rifles), at 16%: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 16 percentage points.
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.
Goods classified here enter the United States duty-free at the general (normal trade relations) rate, as do about 73% of the 296 tariff lines in chapter 90. Duty-free at the general rate does not rule out additional duties under Chapter 99, such as Section 301 or Section 232 measures, which depend on the country of origin.
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 335999 (All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing), an industry of 828 US establishments employing 40,468 people. That is the industry code a US manufacturer of the same product would normally use.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 9013.10.10 | Not designed for use with infrared light | 14.9% |
| 9013.10.30 | Telescopic sights for rifles: other | 1.4% |
| 9013.10.45 | Telescopes designed to form parts of machines, appliances, instruments or apparatus of this chapter of section XVI | Free |
| 9013.10.50 | Other: other | 5.3% |
| 9013.80.20 | Hand magnifiers, magnifying glasses, loupes, thread counters and similar apparatus | 6.6% |
| 9013.80.40 | Door viewers (door eyes) | 5.8% |
| 9013.80.91 | Other devices, appliances and instruments: other | 4.5% |
| 9013.90.20 | Of telescopic sights for rifles | 16% |
| 9013.90.70 | Other: other parts and accessories, other than for telescopic sights for fitting to arms or for periscopes | Free |
| 9013.90.80 | Other: other | 4.5% |