9101.99.80 - Having over 17 jewels in the movement
Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Unit of Quantity | N/A |
| General Rate of Duty (Column 1 - General) | Free |
| Special Rate of Duty (Column 1 - Special) | N/A |
| Column 2 Rate of Duty | $11.50 each + 45% on the case |
| Quota Quantity | N/A |
| Additional Duties | N/A |
Overview
This HTS classification, 9101.99.80, specifically pertains to wristwatches, pocket watches, and other watches that have a case made of precious metal or metal clad with precious metal, and crucially, feature a movement containing over 17 jewels. These watches are considered high-end timepieces due to the inclusion of a significant number of synthetic jewels within their mechanical movement, which are essential for reducing friction and increasing the accuracy and durability of the watch's internal mechanism.
The defining characteristic that distinguishes this category from its siblings lies in the precise number of jewels present in the movement. Unlike 9101.99.20, which covers watches with no jewels or up to 7 jewels, and the intermediate category for watches with over 7 but not over 17 jewels, 9101.99.80 is reserved for those timepieces that exceed the 17-jewel threshold. This quantitative measure of jewels is a key technical specification used in the precise classification of these sophisticated watches.
As this is a leaf node in the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories under 9101.99.80. Therefore, classification under this code is final based on the presence of a precious metal or clad precious metal case and a movement containing more than 17 jewels. Importers and exporters should ensure that the exact jewel count of the movement is accurately documented when classifying watches falling under this specific HTS code.