USA tariffs that apply to import of ethnographic items.

A. G. Maisey · Today, 02:52 AM

Several collectors of ethnographic items, including collectors of ethnographic weaponry have contacted me and enquired if I had any knowledge or understanding of how the recent alterations to tariffs on goods entering the USA might affect the importation of ethnographic items into the USA.

It seems that there is a belief that these items could be subject to the imposition of tariffs. This belief has caused some collectors to cease the purchase of ethnographic items from countries other than the USA itself.

I have put together some information on this matter and I believe that this belief, ie, that ethnographic items imported into the USA are to be subjected to tariffs, is incorrect.

My findings are as below.

1) The tariff applied to all goods imported into the USA is determined in accordance with the classification of the goods under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS):-

https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/A...language=en_US

2) The HTS Code that applies to ethnographic items is HTS Code 9705.10.00.20:-

https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=9705.10.00.20

3) The current version of the United States Harmonized Tariff Schedule is subject to 2025 Revision 24 (as at 28 Sept. 2025):-

https://hts.usitc.gov/

4) Under the provisions of Revision 24 (- 3) above, ethnographic items that have been correctly classified are not subject to the imposition of any tax, duty nor tariff:-

https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=9705

5) See also Statistical note 1:-

https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=9705.10.00.20

6) The ruling that applies to 9705.10.00.20 is in the form of a letter that relates to the importation of an African wooden statue, and is set forth here:-

https://rulings.cbp.gov/ruling/N346428

My conclusion is that based upon the information provided by the United States International Trade Commission there is not currently (28 Sept. 2025) any tax, duty nor tariff payable on correctly classified ethnographic items, including weaponry, that are imported into the USA.

The above summary has not been subjected to independent checking and as such should be reviewed and verified prior to acceptance. It would be appreciated if any errors and/or inadequacies in my conclusion were to be advised.

A.Maisey

Today, 02:52 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,063	USA tariffs that apply to import of ethnographic items. Several collectors of ethnographic items, including collectors of ethnographic weaponry have contacted me and enquired if I had any knowledge or understanding of how the recent alterations to tariffs on goods entering the USA might affect the importation of ethnographic items into the USA. It seems that there is a belief that these items could be subject to the imposition of tariffs. This belief has caused some collectors to cease the purchase of ethnographic items from countries other than the USA itself. I have put together some information on this matter and I believe that this belief, ie, that ethnographic items imported into the USA are to be subjected to tariffs, is incorrect. My findings are as below. 1) The tariff applied to all goods imported into the USA is determined in accordance with the classification of the goods under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS):- https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/A...language=en_US 2) The HTS Code that applies to ethnographic items is HTS Code 9705.10.00.20:- https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=9705.10.00.20 3) The current version of the United States Harmonized Tariff Schedule is subject to 2025 Revision 24 (as at 28 Sept. 2025):- https://hts.usitc.gov/ 4) Under the provisions of Revision 24 (- 3) above, ethnographic items that have been correctly classified are not subject to the imposition of any tax, duty nor tariff:- https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=9705 5) See also Statistical note 1:- https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=9705.10.00.20 6) The ruling that applies to 9705.10.00.20 is in the form of a letter that relates to the importation of an African wooden statue, and is set forth here:- https://rulings.cbp.gov/ruling/N346428 My conclusion is that based upon the information provided by the United States International Trade Commission there is not currently (28 Sept. 2025) any tax, duty nor tariff payable on correctly classified ethnographic items, including weaponry, that are imported into the USA. The above summary has not been subjected to independent checking and as such should be reviewed and verified prior to acceptance. It would be appreciated if any errors and/or inadequacies in my conclusion were to be advised. A.Maisey Last edited by A. G. Maisey; Today at 04:29 AM.