Articles for the use of any agency of the United States Government
8 declarable lines
Heading 9808 covers articles imported for the use of a U.S. Government agency and provides free general (MFN) duty rates. The heading is split by the kind of article and the agency certification, including official publications and films, emergency war material, strategic stockpile materials, source materials, plants and seeds, barter materials, and NASA goods. All listed 9808 subheadings have a general (MFN) rate of Free.
Products in this heading
- Official U.S. government publications on microfilm or microfiche
- Recorded video tapes for U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act programs
- Emergency war material certified by a U.S. procuring agency
- Strategic and critical materials procured under the Stock Piling Act
- Source materials needed for common defense and security
- Plants and seeds for planting imported for a U.S. government agency
- NASA launch articles and ground support equipment for an international NASA program
How to choose the right subheading
- Confirm the import is for the use of a U.S. Government agency rather than personal, commercial or foreign government use.
- Identify whether the authorized procuring agency certifies the material to the Commissioner of Customs, as with emergency war material, strategic and critical materials, source materials or barter strategic materials.
- Check whether the goods are for NASA use or for implementation of a NASA international program, including launch articles and ground support equipment.
- Classify media by type and program, such as official government publications and films or recordings for the U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act program.
- Use the planting provision for plants, seeds and other material for planting.
Often confused with
- Heading 9809Public documents issued by a foreign government or international organization
Heading 9809 covers foreign government or international organization public documents, not U.S. government agency articles.
- Heading 9810Articles imported for a religious institution
Heading 9810 is limited to articles for an institution established solely for religious purposes.
- Heading 9812Articles imported for exhibition by an agricultural, arts, educational or scientific institution
Heading 9812 covers exhibition articles, not U.S. government agency use.
- Heading 9801U.S. products returned after export without change
Heading 9801 covers returned U.S. products, not articles for a U.S. government agency.
- Heading 9804Personal and household effects of an arriving person
Heading 9804 covers personal importations by or for an arriving person.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for official U.S. government publications on microfilm?
Use 9808.00.10.00 for official government publications in microfilm, microfiche or similar film media. The general (MFN) rate is Free.
What is the duty on NASA equipment imported for an international NASA program?
Goods covered by 9808.00.80.00 include articles certified for NASA use or NASA international program implementation, such as launch articles and ground support equipment. The general (MFN) rate is Free.
How do I classify emergency war material purchased abroad by a U.S. government agency?
Use 9808.00.30.00 when the authorized procuring agencies certify the material to the Commissioner of Customs as emergency war material. The general (MFN) rate is Free.
Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.
All lines in heading 9808
- 9808.00.10.00Engravings, etchings, photographic prints, whether bound or unbound, recorded video tapes and exposed photographic films (including motion-picture films) whether or not developed; official government publications in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film mediaFree
- 9808.00.20.00Sound recordings and recorded video tapes for use by it in the program authorized by the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1431-1479)Free
- 9808.00.30.00Materials certified to the Commissioner of Customs by the authorized procuring agencies to be emergency war material purchased abroadFree
- 9808.00.40.00Materials certified by it to the Commissioner of Customs to be strategic and critical materials procured under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98-98h)Free
- 9808.00.50.00Materials certified by it to the Commissioner of Customs to be source materials the entry of which is necessary in the interest of the common defense and securityFree
- 9808.00.60.00Plants, seeds and all other material for plantingFree
- 9808.00.70.00Materials certified by it to the Commissioner of Customs to be strategic materials acquired by that agency as a result of barter or exchange of agricultural commodities or productsFree
- 9808.00.80.00Goods certified by it to the Commissioner of Customs to be imported for the use of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or for the implementation of an international program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, including articles to be launched into space and parts thereof, ground support equipment and uniquely associated equipment for use in connection with an international program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, including launch services agreementsFree