Bunker C Heavy Fuel Oil from China
Bunker C is a heavy residual fuel oil with high viscosity exceeding 125 Saybolt Universal seconds at 37.8°C, derived from petroleum refining residues. It falls under HTS 2710.20.0520 as a distillate and residual fuel oil testing under 25 degrees A.P.I., containing biodiesel blends where petroleum oils exceed 70% by weight. Primarily used for marine propulsion in large ships.
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
• Verify Saybolt viscosity certification and API gravity via independent lab tests to confirm classification; ensure biodiesel content documentation meets 'basic constituents' threshold
• Common pitfall: misclassifying as lighter distillates if pre-heated samples alter viscosity readings