Analysis
HTS 9506.69.20 covers baseballs and softballs under heading 9506 (articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics, athletics, other sports…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 2 ten-digit suffixes, reported in number of items.
Within this group the rate runs from 4.9% to 5.4%. Compared with 9506.69.40 (noninflatable hollow balls not over 19 cm in diameter), which pays 5.4%, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 5.4 percentage points.
For statistics it divides in two: 9506.69.20.40 for baseballs and 9506.69.20.80 for softballs. Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
The normal trade relations rate here is zero, shared by about 60% of the 84 tariff lines in chapter 95, a useful check when a neighbouring dutiable line is a candidate. 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.
Goods from countries without normal trade relations pay the column 2 rate of 30% instead of nothing, so origin decides between free entry and a 30% duty.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 9506.69.40 | Noninflatable hollow balls not over 19 cm in diameter | 5.4% |
| 9506.69.60 | Other: other | 4.9% |