Very nice machine there!

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a 10 digit code used to classify traded goods based on materials used in production, intended use, and name when importing and exporting through US customs. It is divided into sections, and dictates if there is tariff on the particular product. There is some flexibility on how an HTS code can be interpreted. Normally the person/vendor shipping the product is the one that specifies the code to be used.

8419.81.9080 is what I had my seller use for my Faema Mercurio. I will explain what this number means. An HTS code is divided into four primary sections, described below.

Chapter: In this example, 84 is the chapter. Chapter 84 is in regards to nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

Heading: In this example, 8419 is the heading. The heading dictates the specific category within any particular chapter. Heading 8419 is in regards to machinery, plant or laboratory equipment, whether or not electrically heated (excluding furnaces, ovens and other equipment of heading 8514), for the treatment of materials by a process involving a change of temperature such as heating, cooking, roasting, distilling, rectifying, sterilizing, pasteurizing, steaming, drying, evaporating, vaporizing, condensing or cooling, other than machinery or plant of a kind used for domestic purposes; instantaneous or storage water heaters, nonelectric; parts thereof:

Subheading: 8419.81 is the subheading. The last two digits of the international Harmonized Code are more specific, defining subcategories of products. 8419.81 is any mentioned equipment from above whose purpose is for making hot drinks or for cooking or heating food

Extra digits: 8419.81.9080 is the suffix (or extra digits) for further specification. 8419.81.9080 refers to this equipment as 'Other.'

This is where interpretation can be used in your favor, as there is also a code specific to coffee machines, 8516.71.00. Coffee parts would also fall under this category in the suffix 8516.71.0060 (other) based on my past experience of ordering from Ascaso. 8516.71.00 charges a 3.7% tariff while 8419.81.9080 has no tariff. I was able to successfully argue that because my Faema Mercurio can technically produce other beverages besides coffee via the hot water wand, my machine technically can be classified as an apparatus that makes hot drinks designed for a commercial environment. Thus I saved a non-insignificant sum of money when purchasing the Mercurio by having the 3.7% tariff waived.

I would guess Bosco uses 8516.71.00 when creating the shipping invoice for customs since I have seen others pay a tariff fee during shipment.

This was the resource I used when looking up the HTS and the other website allows you to search specific codes.
https://www.shippingsolutions.com/blog/ ... f-schedule
https://hts.usitc.gov/?query=8516.71.00