Analysis
HTS 9613.80.20 covers other: electrical under heading 9613 (cigarette lighters and other lighters, whether or not mechanical or electrical, and parts…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 2 ten-digit suffixes, reported in number of items.
Within this group the rate runs from 3.6% to 9%. Compared with 9613.80.80 (valued over $5 per dozen pieces), which pays 9%, a misclassification either way moves the duty by 5.1 percentage points.
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 3.9%. 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.
For statistics it divides in two: 9613.80.20.10 for multipurpose lighters, including those used to light… and 9613.80.20.90 for other. Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 35%, 9.0 times the general rate.
The general duty rate is 3.9% of the customs value, which is in the middle of the rates in chapter 96 (48th percentile of 104 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $390 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 9613.80.10 | Other lighters: table lighters | 4.8% |
| 9613.80.40 | Of precious metal (except silver), of precious or semiprecious stones or of such metal and such stones | 3.6% |
| 9613.80.60 | Valued not over $5 per dozen pieces | 8% |
| 9613.80.80 | Valued over $5 per dozen pieces | 9% |