Creosote Oil from China
Creosote oil is a dark, oily liquid obtained from the distillation of coal tar, primarily used for wood preservation in railroad ties and utility poles. It falls under HTS 2707.99.90 as it is derived from high temperature coal tar distillation and contains aromatic constituents exceeding nonaromatic ones. This classification applies to industrial-grade creosote not meeting specific subheadings like benzol or naphtha.
Duty Rate — China → United States
25%
Rate breakdown
9903.88.0325%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)
9903.05.860%Universal product exemption (U.S. note 52(b))
Import Tips
• Verify aromatic content exceeds nonaromatic per lab analysis to confirm HTS 2707 classification
• Obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and ensure compliance with EPA regulations for hazardous wood preservatives
• Avoid misclassification as petroleum oils (HTS 27.10) by providing coal tar distillation certificates