Peter W.. Rowe, wrote:
On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 02:32:02 -0700, in "Jim Bello" wrote:


does anyone know where to find information on what items imported into the
U.S. require an import tax? I have found a couple of sites that offer guides
for a price, but there is usually a government site that has the info for
free. I have an opportunity to purchase unset carved agate cameos directly

from the carving school in Germany and I need to determin if import taxes

will increase my expenses.




you could start with http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/tic/tariff/import_duties.htm

That was just the first hit from google when searching for :
"U.S. Customs" + import duties

No doubt, a little more work from that search, or following the directions given
on the site I mention, should get you what you need. it's quite possible that for
exact details, you'll have to use an actual telephone...

HTH

Peter Rowe

Actually, where he wants to be, is the Web site for the Dataweb of the
United States International Trade Commission! (http://dataweb.usitc.gov/)

Once there, click on "Tariff Information Center" on the left, to read an
introduction first. You'll end up at the "Tariff Information Center".
http://www.usitc.gov/tata/index.htm

Read it!

Now, again on the left, click on "Official Harmonized Tariff Schedule"
(HTS). This will get you to http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/index.htm

Read this page! An excerpt from that page:

"The HTSA provides the applicable tariff rates and statistical
categories for all merchandise imported into the United States; it is
based on the international Harmonized System, the global system of
nomenclature that is used to describe most world trade in goods.

Although the USITC publishes and maintains the HTSA in its various
forms, Customs and Border Protection is the only agency that can provide
legally binding advice or rulings on classification of imports. Contact
your nearest Customs office with questions about how potential imports
should be classified. For a binding ruling on classification, contact
the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection."

On this page click on "2005 HTSA - full edition [pdf]" (Center of the
page). This is a large .pdf document, 2584 pages, and will take a
minute of two to download, if you have a fast broadband connection to
the Net. Make sure you have the latest Adobe Reader 7.0 Now do a
search for "cameo". You'll find two entries;

One on page 2078 you'll then find heading 9601:

"Worked ivory, bone, tortoise-shell, horn, antlers, coral,
mother-of-pearl and other animal carving material, and articles of these
materials (including articles obtained by molding)"

Subheading 9601.90

"Other"

Subheading 9601.90.40

"Coral, cut but not set, and cameos, suitable for use in jewelry"

Here you will see, that your rate of duty is 2.1%

The second entry is in the index on page 2501, which refers to the
heading above.

--
Abrasha
http://www.abrasha.com