industrial machinery hs code 3809931000
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8484900000 | 37.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 8484200000 | 38.9% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3809931000 | 41.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3809935000 | 41.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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π Industrial Machinery & Chemical Preparations: HS Code 3809.93.10.00 Deep Dive
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Updated Tariff Analysis | Expert-Level Import Strategy
π One Product, One Critical Code β Know It or Pay the Price!
π 1. Product Definition & Classification: What Is This?
This HS Code 3809.93.10.00 applies to finishing agents, dye carriers, dressings, mordants, and similar chemical preparations used in the leather or like industries, but only when they contain 5% or more by weight of one or more aromatic or modified aromatic substances.
β οΈ Key Distinction:
- If the product is used in leather processing (e.g., leather tanning, dyeing, softening) AND contains β₯5% aromatic/modified aromatic chemicals, it must be classified here.
- If it contains less than 5% aromatic substances, or is used in textiles/paper, it falls under3809.93.50.00β which has 0% duty.π Examples of Aromatic Substances:
- Benzene derivatives (e.g., toluene, xylene)
- Phenol, aniline, naphthalene
- Modified aromatics like substituted phenols or sulfonated aromaticsβ Common Use Cases:
- Leather softening agents with aromatic solvents
- Dye-fixing agents containing aromatic carriers
- Pre-treatment formulations for chrome-free tanning
π¦ 2. HS Code Breakdown (2026 Official Tariff Table)
| HS Code | Product Description | Industry Use | Aromatic Content Threshold | Duty Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3809.93.10.00 |
Finishing agents, dye carriers, mordants, etc., for leather or like industries, containing β₯5% by weight of aromatic or modified aromatic substances | Leather tanning, dyeing, finishing | β β₯5% aromatic | β οΈ High Duty |
3809.93.50.00 |
Same products, but containing <5% aromatic substances or not meeting the threshold | Leather, textiles, paper | β <5% aromatic | β 0% Duty |
π Critical Insight:
- The 5% threshold is the deciding factor.
- Even 1% above the limit triggers the higher tariff.
- Laboratory analysis (GC-MS, HPLC) may be required to prove content.
π° 3. 2026 Tariff & Tax Breakdown (U.S. Customs β China Origin)
β Applicable Country: United States (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: 2025β2026 (current enforcement period)
π― HS Code: 3809.93.10.00 β High-Aromatic Chemicals for Leather Industry
| Tax Component | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Tariff | 6.5% (ad valorem) | Standard rate under HTSUS |
| Additional Tariff (Section 301) | 25.0% | Imposed under U.S. Trade Act 301 for Chinese-origin goods with strategic chemical content |
| Total Effective Duty | 31.5% | 6.5% + 25.0% = 31.5% |
| Tax Calculation Basis | CIF Value Γ 31.5% | Includes cost, insurance, freight |
| De Minimis Threshold | β Not applicable | U.S. does not allow de minimis relief for this code |
| Legal Basis | USITC: 3809.93.10.00 β FOOTNOTE 9903.88.01 β SECTION 301 LIST |
π Why 31.5%?
- The 6.5% is the base rate under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
- The 25% is a Section 301 tariff imposed on Chinese chemicals deemed to have "strategic or sensitive" components.
- No exemptions apply β even if the product is non-toxic or low-risk.
π οΈ 4. Customs Clearance Best Practices (Pro Tips)
β 1. Required Documentation (Must-Have Checklist)
| Document | Why Itβs Critical |
|---|---|
| β Technical Data Sheet (TDS) | Must clearly state % of aromatic substances |
| β Certificate of Analysis (CoA) | Lab report proving aromatic content (e.g., GC-MS) |
| β Product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) | Required for chemical imports |
| β Commercial Invoice | Must include HS Code, origin, aromatic content, and CIF value |
| β Bill of Lading (B/L) | Proof of shipment and delivery |
| β Certificate of Origin (CO) | Needed for tariff eligibility (e.g., China origin = 31.5%) |
| β Pre-shipment Inspection Report (if required) | Some U.S. customs brokers require this for chemical imports |
β 2.η³ζ₯ζε·§ (Smart Declaration Tactics)
π₯ "Aromatic Count, Not Name β Get It Right or Pay Double!"
| Scenario | Correct HS Code | Wrong Approach | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather finishing agent with 6% xylene | 3809.93.10.00 |
3809.93.50.00 |
Duty underpayment β penalties + back taxes |
| Dye carrier with 4.9% aniline | 3809.93.50.00 |
3809.93.10.00 |
Overpaying 31.5% duty unnecessarily |
| Product labeled βfor leatherβ but no aromatic data | 3809.93.10.00 (default) |
"General chemicals" | Seizure or delay |
β Best Practice:
Always declare the exact aromatic content in the invoice and TDS.
Example:"Leather finishing agent, contains 7.2% modified aromatic compounds (toluene derivatives), used in tanning."
β 3. Special Cases & Workarounds
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Aromatic content is borderline (e.g., 4.98%) | Test rigorously β even 0.02% over triggers 31.5% duty |
| Product is for export to EU or Japan | Check local tariffs β EU may have 0% duty, Japan may have 0β5% |
| Product is biodegradable or low-toxicity | No relief β U.S. tariffs are based on chemical structure, not safety |
| Youβre sourcing from Vietnam/Mexico | Yes! If origin is Vietnam (VN) or Mexico (MX), Section 301 tariffs may not apply β 0% additional duty |
| You want to avoid 31.5% | Reformulate to keep aromatic content below 5% β switch to aliphatic solvents |
π 5. Global Tariff Comparison (2026)
| Country | Recommended HS Code | Base Duty | Section 301? | Total Duty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA (China origin) | 3809.93.10.00 |
6.5% | β Yes (25%) | 31.5% | High risk |
| π¨π³ China | 3809.93.10.00 |
6.5% | β No | 6.5% | No extra tariffs |
| πͺπΊ EU (Germany/France) | 3809.93.10.00 |
0% (if REACH compliant) | β No | 0% | Requires REACH/CLP |
| π―π΅ Japan | 3809.93.10.00 |
0% | β No | 0% | No Section 301 |
| π²π½ Mexico | 3809.93.10.00 |
0% | β No | 0% | Great alternative origin |
| π»π³ Vietnam | 3809.93.10.00 |
0% | β No | 0% | Strong duty-saving option |
π Strategic Insight:
- Shift production to Vietnam or Mexico to avoid the 25% Section 301 tariff.
- Even if the chemical is identical, origin matters.
π¨ 6. Common Mistakes & Costly Pitfalls (Real Cases)
β Mistake 1: Declaring a product with 5.1% aromatic content as 3809.93.50.00
π Result: 31.5% duty owed + 10β20% penalty + audit risk
β Mistake 2: Using βleather dressingβ as a generic name without specifying aromatic content
π Result: Customs assumes β₯5% β 31.5% duty applied
β Mistake 3: Not providing CoA β relying on supplierβs word
π Result: Detention, inspection, or rejection
β Mistake 4: Assuming βlow toxicityβ means βlow dutyβ
π Result: Wrong β duty is based on chemistry, not safety
β Correct Approach:
"Leather finishing agent, 5.3% aromatic content (toluene-based), for industrial tanning, CoA attached, CIF $12,000, origin: China, HS: 3809.93.10.00"
π― 7. Final Verdict: Master the Code, Master the Cost
πΉ HS Code
3809.93.10.00= 31.5% duty for Chinese-origin chemicals with β₯5% aromatic content
πΉ HS Code3809.93.50.00= 0% duty β if aromatic content is below 5%
πΉ Origin is king: Vietnam/Mexico = 0% extra tariff
πΉ No de minimis relief β even 1% over = full 31.5%
π Pro Tips: Your Action Plan
- Test your productβs aromatic content β use GC-MS if unsure.
- Reformulate if needed β reduce aromatic content to <5%.
- Change origin β move production to Vietnam or Mexico.
- Use a customs broker with chemical expertise β do not DIY.
- Apply for a Pre-Clearance Ruling (Advance Ruling) β avoid surprises.
π£ Donβt Get Caught Off Guard!
π Contact a U.S.-licensed customs broker today
π Get your HS Code confirmed + tariff quote
πΌ Save thousands β one accurate declaration at a time
β¨ Smart Importing Starts with the Right HS Code.
πΌ Your Profit Margin Depends on It.
β
Know the 5% rule. Avoid the 31.5%. Win the Trade Game.
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About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.