Analysis
HTS 9025.80.35 covers hygrometers and psychrometers, non-recording under heading 9025 (hydrometers and similar floating instruments, thermometers, pyrometers, barometers…).
The general duty rate is 1.4% of the customs value, which is above most the rates in chapter 90 (77th percentile of 296 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $140 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
Neighbouring lines carry rates from 1% to 2.9%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 9025.80.20 (hydrometers and similar floating instruments, whether or not…), at 2.9%: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 1.5 percentage points.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 45%, 32.1 times the general rate.
Goods that qualify under GSP, the Australia FTA, the Bahrain FTA, the civil aircraft agreement, the Chile FTA, and 13 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 1.4%. 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.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 9025.80.10 | Other instruments: electrical | 1.7% |
| 9025.80.15 | Barometers, not combined with other instruments | 1% |
| 9025.80.20 | Hydrometers and similar floating instruments, whether or not incorporating a thermometer, non-recording | 2.9% |
| 9025.80.40 | Thermographs, barographs, hygrographs and other recording instruments | 1% |
| 9025.80.50 | Other: other | 1.6% |