Caterpillar 538 Grapple Skidder from Japan
A rubber-tired skidder with grapple arms for dragging felled trees from harvest sites to loading areas in forestry operations. Classified under HTS 8436.80.00.20 as forestry machinery due to its specialized grappling mechanism for log skidding. It features winch systems for steep terrain extraction.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
12.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.4912.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — Japan (col1 rate < 12.5 percent): MFN < 12.5% → total duty capped at 12.5%
Import Tips
• Include operator safety certifications and grapple load ratings in import paperwork to demonstrate forestry-specific design
• Label as 'forestry skidder' on commercial invoice; mislabeling as agricultural tractor leads to audits