Tariff on Fishing Tackles entering US
Ty HasegawaAt the time of writing of this article (beginning of April 2025,) there is news about the US government’s tariff, especially “Reciprocal Tariff.”
While the details of reciprocal tariff is yet to be cleared, I would like to review the current situation of tariff, around fishing tackles entering the US. I have an impression that the raising of custom tax is covering everything, and presumably many people have the same view.
In this article, the details of the custom tax (on the border of the US) situation around fishing tackles are reviewed. It specifically mentions the latest change of tax. Looking at the latest application of additional tax done in March gives us the idea of the scope that the current US government may have.
Standard tax rates by HS codes
The list below summarizes the standard custom tax applied for the goods entering into the US. It has the key items of fishing tackles with HS code or HIS code.
The details are shown in the official site of HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule.) and the below list is based on the 2025 Revision 6.
Link to the HTS; https://hts.usitc.gov/
| HS code | Item category | Standard % | Special preferential % |
| 9507.10.00 | Fishing rod | 6.0% | n.a. |
| 9507.20.40 | Snelled hooks | 4.0% | 0% |
| 9507.20.80 | Others, hooks | 4.8% | 0% incl. JPN |
| 9507.30.20 | Fishing reels, lower than USD2.70 | 9.2% | 0% |
| 9507.30.40 | Fishing reels, over USD2.70 but not over USD8.45 | 24 Cents each | 0% |
| 9507.30.60 | Fishing reels, over USD8.45 | 3.9% | 0% incl. JPN |
| 9507.30.80 | Fishing reel parts and accessories | 5.4% | 0% |
| 9507.90.20 | Fishing line | 3.9% | 0% incl. JPN |
| 9507.90.40 | Fishing casts and leaders | 5.6% | 0% |
| 9507.90.60 | Landing nets | 5.0% | n.a. |
| 9507.90.70 | Artificial baits and flies | 9.0% | 0%, for JPN 4.5% |
| 9507.90.80 | Other fishing tackles | 9.0% | 0% |
List of fishing tackles and each custom tax %, entering the US, from this PDF data.
For those who are not used to these trade terms, please let me explain some words.
HS code is the coding system on which the tax rate calculation is done. Every product entering a country is labeled under this code. And the tax rate is calculated based on the category. For example, when you import a fishing rod into the US, then you have to pay the 6% amount of the value of the total amount you are importing.
The Special preferential stands for the preferential tax rate. For some countries of origin, an importing country can give the tax free or reduced tax rate. It is called the preferential tax rate. This applicable country is different by each item of HS code. And what you need to keep in your mind is that the shown country is the country of production. For example, you are importing Japanese brand lures from Japan but these lures are produced in China. Then these goods are treated as Chinese products in taxation.
The new tax increase on made-in-China products
From March 2025, the US government started a special increase of tax rate on Chinese products. The details are shown in this link: https://hts.usitc.gov/reststop/file?release=currentRelease&filename=China%20Tariffs
According to this information, these HS codes listed below are in the scope of additional tax. This additional tax is defined in the Heading 9903.88.15; Subchapter 3, Chapter 99, Additional Duties under Section 301.
| HS code | Item category | Standard % | Additional Tax of 7.5% |
| 9507.10.00 | Fishing rod | 6.0% | No |
| 9507.20.40 | Snelled hooks | 4.0% | Yes |
| 9507.20.80 | Others, hooks | 4.8% | Yes |
| 9507.30.20 | Fishing reels, lower than USD2.70 | 9.2% | No |
| 9507.30.40 | Fishing reels, over USD2.70 but not over USD8.45 | 24 Cents each | No |
| 9507.30.60 | Fishing reels, over USD8.45 | 3.9% | Yes |
| 9507.30.80 | Fishing reel parts and accessories | 5.4% | Yes |
| 9507.90.20 | Fishing line | 3.9% | Yes |
| 9507.90.40 | Fishing casts and leaders | 5.6% | Yes |
| 9507.90.60 | Landing nets | 5.0% | No |
| 9507.90.70 | Artificial baits and flies | 9.0% | Yes |
| 9507.90.80 | Other fishing tackles | 9.0% | No |
List summarized based on the information given here.
Some of HS code items are under the additional tax rate.
Please let us pay attention to there are some items that are out of this additional 7.5%. Namely, they are fishing rods, lower cost reels, landing nets, and non listed fishing tackles.
The lesson we learn from this is that there are some details which are out of additional tax increase on the Chinese products. Along with it, there are definitely items which require a higher tax ratio. It is not really good news for the lure fisherman in the US, because the artificial baits, lures, are under the coverage of tax increase, for the lures made in China.
Additionally, what is important is that there are more to come. It is quite likely that this scope of tax increase will be kept in the future additional tax. Here, we keep our eyes on it.
Speaking of Japanese brands, of course, there are products made in Japan. Some of the brands have their own production facility in Japan. These brands may be able to take advantage in the US market. In the future article, I will feature the brands who have production facilities in Japan to give you insights for your business consideration.
