WTI Cushing Crude Oil from China
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Cushing crude is a light sweet crude with API gravity around 39 degrees, imported via pipelines or tankers for US refining. It qualifies under 2709.00.20.90 as other crude petroleum oils testing 25 degrees API or more from bituminous sources. Primarily used as benchmark for pricing lighter crudes.
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)
9903.03.030%Articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa)(ii) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
Import Tips
• Provide sulfur content and API test reports; WTI's low sulfur (<0.3%) distinguishes it but must meet 25+ API for this code
• Use Form 7501 with barrel measurements; coordinate with pipeline operators for continuous imports under periodic entry
• Avoid common pitfall of declaring as refined products—crude must remain unprocessed to stay in 2709