Traditional Inuit Soapstone Carving of a Seal from China
Hand-sculpted from soapstone by Inuit artists in Nunavut, depicting a seal central to Arctic hunting traditions. Classified in HTS 9705.10.00.20 as an ethnographic piece of indigenous craftsmanship for collectors, per statistical note criteria.
Duty Rate — China → United States
7.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.88.157.5%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.39, 9903.88.42, 9903.88.44, 9903.88.47, 9903.88.49, 9903.88.51, 9903.88.53, 9903.88.55, 9903.88.57, 9903.88.65, 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(r) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(s)
9903.05.860%Universal product exemption (U.S. note 52(b))
Import Tips
• Include artist biography and community certification to substantiate ethnographic value during customs review
• Avoid mass-produced replicas; inspectors check for handcrafting marks to confirm collector status
• Prepare for cultural property export permits from Canada; pitfall is missing origin declarations