9803.00.50
Substantial containers and holders, if products of the United States (including shooks and staves of United States production when returned as boxes or barrels containing merchandise), or if of foreign production and previously imported and duty (if any) thereon paid, or if of a class specified by the Secretary of the Treasury as instruments of international traffic, repair components for containers of foreign production which are instruments of international traffic, and accessories and equipment for such containers, whether the accessories and equipment are imported with a container to be reexported separately or with another container, or imported separately to be reexported with a container
Classification path
- Substantial containers and holders, if products of the United States (including shooks and staves of United States production when returned as boxes or barrels containing merchandise), or if of foreign production and previously imported and duty (if any) thereon paid, or if of a class specified by the Secretary of the Treasury as instruments of international traffic, repair components for containers of foreign production which are instruments of international traffic, and accessories and equipment for such containers, whether the accessories and equipment are imported with a container to be reexported separately or with another container, or imported separately to be reexported with a container
Rates of duty
- General (MFN)
- Free
- Column 2Cuba, North Korea, Russia, Belarus
- Free
- Unit of quantity
- n/a
About heading 9803
Substantial containers and holders, if products of the United States (including shooks and staves of United States production when returned as boxes or barrels containing merchandise), or if of foreign production and previously imported and duty (if any) thereon paid, or if of a class specified by the Secretary of the Treasury as instruments of international traffic, repair components for containers of foreign production which are instruments of international traffic, and accessories and equipment for such containers, whether the accessories and equipment are imported with a container to be reexported separately or with another container, or imported separately to be reexported with a container
Heading 9803 covers substantial containers and holders, plus repair components and accessories or equipment for containers, when the origin, prior-import, instrument-of-international-traffic, or reexport conditions are met. It has one declarable line, 9803.00.50, with a general (MFN) rate of Free.
Full guide to heading 9803Products in this heading
- Reusable steel cargo containers returned to the U.S. or previously imported with duty paid
- Wooden boxes made from U.S. shooks and returned holding merchandise
- Barrels made from U.S. staves and returned holding merchandise
- Container repair components for foreign containers that are instruments of international traffic
- Container fittings imported as accessories or equipment for containers
- Refrigeration units imported with a container for reexport
- Container twist locks imported separately for reexport with a container
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for a reusable steel shipping container returned to the U.S.?
Qualifying reusable steel containers are classified in 9803.00.50; the general (MFN) rate is Free.
What is the duty on container repair components imported for reexport?
Qualifying repair components for foreign containers that are instruments of international traffic use 9803.00.50; the general (MFN) rate is Free.
How do I classify container accessories imported separately to be reexported with a container?
Container accessories imported separately for reexport with a container are classified in 9803.00.50; the general (MFN) rate is Free.
Source: USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule, retrieved October 22, 2026.