HS 160249 Other, including mixtures

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What products does HS 160249 cover?

This subheading covers other prepared or preserved meats, meat offal, or blood of swine, not elsewhere specified or included within heading 1602. According to the World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System Nomenclature, this category encompasses a wide array of swine products that do not fit into more specific subheadings, including mixtures of various swine meat preparations. The USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and the EU's TARIC database provide further detail, often specifying that these are typically cooked, cured, or otherwise processed swine products intended for consumption.

What falls outside HS 160249?

The following products are excluded from HS 160249: preparations of swine meat that are specifically classified elsewhere, such as hams, shoulders, and their pieces, with bone in (HS 1602.41), or other prepared or preserved swine meat and offal, not minced or pureed (HS 1602.49.0000 for the US, which is a more specific breakdown). Products that are not primarily swine meat, even if they contain small amounts, or those that are raw or simply salted without further processing, would also fall outside this subheading. For instance, whole cooked hams are typically classified under HS 1602.41.

What are common classification mistakes for HS 160249?

A common error is misclassifying mixtures of swine meat with other meats or ingredients. According to General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 3(b), mixtures are often classified by the component that gives them their essential character. Importers may incorrectly assign products containing a dominant proportion of swine meat but also significant amounts of other meats to HS 160249 when they should be classified under a heading for the predominant meat type or a specific mixture heading if one exists. Another mistake is failing to recognize that certain processed swine products, like sausages, may have their own specific subheadings.

How should importers classify products under HS 160249?

The correct procedure for classifying products under HS 160249 involves a thorough examination of the product's composition and processing. Importers and customs brokers must consult the official tariff schedule of the importing country, such as the USITC HTS or the EU TARIC, and review the explanatory notes of the WCO HS. Key considerations include identifying the primary ingredient (swine meat), the extent of processing (cooked, cured, mixed), and whether the product fits more precisely into a more specific subheading within HS 1602 or another chapter. Documentation detailing ingredients and manufacturing processes is crucial.

How is the duty calculated for products under HS 160249?

A shipment of 1,000 kilograms of "Other Prepared Swine Meat" (HS 160249) declared at a customs value of $5,000 USD would attract a US duty of $1,000.00. This is calculated using the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule's Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rate of 20% ad valorem, applied to the declared customs value ($5,000 USD × 0.20 = $1,000.00). It is important to note that specific subheadings within 160249 may have different rates, and some products might be subject to additional duties or quotas.

Which trade agreements reduce duties for HS 160249?

Several free trade agreements may reduce the applicable duty rate for HS 160249, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Under USMCA, originating products from Canada and Mexico can enter the United States duty-free. To claim this preferential rate, a valid Certificate of Origin or a self-certified origin statement meeting USMCA requirements is typically needed. While not directly applicable to this specific subheading in all cases, other agreements like the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) might offer reduced rates for certain developing countries, requiring a GSP Form A.

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