HS 030551 Dried fish, other than edible fish offal, whether or not salted but not smoked

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What products does HS 030551 cover?

This subheading covers dried fish, excluding edible fish offal, that have undergone a drying process but have not been smoked. According to the World Customs Organization's Harmonized System Nomenclature, this category includes fish that have been preserved by dehydration, whether or not salt has been added as a preservative. For example, dried cod or dried anchovies that are not smoked would fall under this classification, as confirmed by definitions found in official tariff schedules like the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and the EU's TARIC database.

What falls outside HS 030551?

The following products are excluded from HS 030551: fish that have been smoked, even if they are also dried and not salted; fish offal, regardless of whether it is edible or dried; and fish that are preserved by methods other than drying, such as canning or freezing. For instance, smoked herring, dried fish roe, or canned sardines would be classified under different headings or subheadings, as they do not meet the specific criteria of being dried but not smoked.

What are common classification mistakes for HS 030551?

A common error is misclassifying smoked dried fish under this subheading. According to General Interpretative Rule 1 of the Harmonized System, classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. If fish is both dried and smoked, it should be classified under HS 030569 (Other salted or dried fish, smoked). Importers may also mistakenly include fish that have undergone minimal drying but are primarily preserved by other means, such as salting alone without significant dehydration.

How should importers classify products under HS 030551?

The correct procedure for classifying products under HS 030551 involves a thorough examination of the product's processing. Importers and customs brokers must verify that the fish has been dried and that no smoking process has been applied. If salt has been used, it must be for preservation during the drying process, not as the sole preservation method. Consulting product specifications, processing details, and cross-referencing with official tariff databases like the UK Trade Tariff are crucial steps to ensure accurate classification.

How is the duty calculated for products under HS 030551?

A shipment of 100 kilograms of dried anchovies, declared at a customs value of $500 USD, would attract a US duty of $50.00. This is calculated using the Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rate of 10% ad valorem, applied to the customs value. The calculation is $500 USD (customs value) × 0.10 (10% MFN rate) = $50.00. This rate is published in the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

Which trade agreements reduce duties for HS 030551?

Several free trade agreements may reduce the applicable duty rate for HS 030551, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Under USMCA, originating dried fish from Canada or Mexico can enter the United States duty-free. To claim this preference, a self-certified origin statement is typically required. Additionally, preferential rates may be available for certain developing countries under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), often requiring a GSP Form A.

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