Why This Matters
When you return your precision aircraft weighing system, scale pad, or load cell console to JAWS in Riviera Beach, Florida for annual calibration, certification, or technical repair, specific U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) protocols must be followed. Skipping a step here doesn't just slow things down — it can trigger automated customs holds or unnecessary import duty on equipment that should re-enter the country free of charge.
As the original equipment manufacturer, we've prepared this advisory so your shipment qualifies for duty-free entry under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), Chapter 98, which covers goods of US origin returning to the country for calibration, inspection, or repair without having been advanced in value while abroad.
Before You Ship
This guide applies to equipment returning to the United States for calibration, certification, or repair only — not for resale or permanent transfer. If you're unsure which category your shipment falls under, contact our compliance team before cargo dispatch using the form below.
Tariff Classifications & Declarations
Your documentation needs to identify both the standard Harmonized System (HS) code for the equipment itself and the relevant Chapter 98 temporary-import exemption code that applies to the type of service being performed.
A. Base Equipment HS Codes
| HS Code | Applies To |
|---|---|
8423.89.0000 | Heavy-duty under-axle platforms, high-capacity top-of-jack load cell kits, and heavy transport systems — individually or combined, exceeding 5,000 kg (11,023 lb) capacity. |
8423.82.0000 | Individual portable scale pads or light-duty jack-point kits, capacities between 30 kg and 5,000 kg. |
B. Chapter 98 Duty Exemptions
To avoid duty on the full asset value, your invoice must cite the relevant HTSUS provision for the service being performed:
| Provision | Applies When | Required Invoice Declaration |
|---|---|---|
9801.00.10American Goods Returned |
US-manufactured equipment returning temporarily for standard calibration, inspection, or software alignment — no structural changes. | "U.S. manufactured aircraft weighing equipment returned temporarily for calibration and certification under HTSUS 9801.00.10. To be re-exported to country of origin upon completion. No change in condition." |
9802.00.50Articles Repaired or Altered |
Equipment returning for hardware repairs, structural work, or component upgrades. Duty is assessed only on the value of repairs/parts (if not under warranty), not the full asset value. | "U.S. goods returned for repair and technical service under HTSUS 9802.00.50. Value for customs purposes only: [Insert Original Value]. Dutiable value limited to cost of repairs." |
Critical Customs Requirement
The commercial invoice and air waybill (AWB) must display both the Chapter 98 provision and the base HS code together. Example, for a heavy under-axle system returned for physical repair:
HTSUS Linkage: 9802.00.50 / 8423.89.0000
Confirm Before You File
Statistical suffixes (the final two digits of a 10-digit HTSUS code) and exact capacity breakpoints can vary by shipment specifics. Confirm the full 10-digit reporting number with your customs broker for each shipment rather than relying on a single template — misclassification carries real penalty exposure under 19 U.S.C. §1592.
Mandatory Customs Documentation Checklist
Your logistics provider or freight forwarder must attach and file the following three documents alongside the standard international Air Waybill (AWB).
-
CBP Form 3311 — Declaration for Free Entry of American Goods Returned
This official CBP document is required for approval of duty-free re-entry. The foreign shipper must complete:
- Name of Manufacturer: Jackson Aircraft Weighing Systems (JAWS)
- City and State of Manufacture: Riviera Beach, Florida, USA
- Reason for Return: "U.S. manufactured industrial equipment returned to OEM for calibration and repair services."
- Declaration: Signed by the foreign exporter or clearing agent, certifying the goods have not been advanced in value outside the scope of repairs.
-
Foreign Shipper's Declaration for Repairs / Alterations (19 CFR 10.8)
A signed statement on your company letterhead, in substantially this form:
"I, [Name of Declarant], declare that the articles herein specified are the articles which, in the condition in which they were exported from the United States, were received by us on [Date of Receipt], from Jackson Aircraft Weighing Systems; that they were received by us solely for use as aircraft weighing equipment; and that they are being returned to the United States for calibration, certification, or repair without any advancement in value or improvement in condition except as arises from such work." -
Commercial Invoice for Customs Purposes
Generate a non-commercial pro-forma invoice that explicitly states:
- Unit value reflecting fair market asset value, with a clear note: "Value for Customs Purposes Only. Transaction is for temporary service/repair/calibration only. No sale occurs."
- Our CAGE code, 1YXM4, and physical facility address as the delivery destination.
Shipping Logistics & Package Labeling
To prevent cargo handlers from misidentifying your shipment as a standard commercial import, apply the following physical labeling and courier instructions.
- Physical box markings: Attach a clear, waterproof label on at least two sides of each crate or container stating: "ATTENTION US CUSTOMS: TEMPORARY IMPORT / AMERICAN GOODS RETURNED FOR REPAIR & CALIBRATION BY OEM. FILE UNDER HTSUS 9801.00.10 OR 9802.00.50."
- Courier instructions (FedEx, DHL, UPS, or freight): Select "Delivery Duties Paid" (DDP) for processing fees, and instruct the courier broker to file a Formal Entry using the attached CBP Form 3311 rather than routing through a standard express automated clearance lane.
Need It Reviewed First?
For direct technical or logistics assistance preparing your documentation, contact the JAWS compliance team before cargo dispatch — call 561-281-6179 (9 AM – 5 PM EST) or use the request form below.
Request Compliance Assistance
Submit your shipment details and our Aviation Regulatory Compliance & Logistics Division will review your documentation before you ship, to help avoid customs delays, unnecessary duty, or processing holds.
Inbound Shipment / Customs Review Request
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I return my aircraft scale to the US for calibration without paying import duty?
US-manufactured aircraft weighing equipment returned temporarily for calibration, inspection, or alignment without structural changes can generally qualify for duty-free re-entry under HTSUS 9801.00.10 (American Goods Returned), provided it isn't advanced in value or improved in condition while abroad. This requires CBP Form 3311, a foreign shipper's declaration, and a compliant commercial invoice listing JAWS as the US manufacturer in Riviera Beach, Florida.
What customs form is required to return aircraft equipment to the US duty-free?
CBP Form 3311, the Declaration for Free Entry of Returned American Products, is the standard form for aircraft and aircraft equipment returned by or for the account of the owner or operator, under 19 CFR 10.1. File it alongside the air waybill and commercial invoice.
What's the difference between HTSUS 9801.00.10 and 9802.00.50?
9801.00.10 (American Goods Returned) applies when equipment returns unchanged — for calibration, inspection, or software alignment — and can qualify for full duty-free entry. 9802.00.50 (Articles Repaired or Altered) applies when hardware repairs or structural work are performed; duty is then assessed only on the value of the repair or parts, not the full equipment value.
Does JAWS calibrate competitor-brand aircraft scales?
Yes. We provide NIST-traceable calibration and repair for our own product lines as well as competitor aircraft weighing equipment, scale pads, and load cell systems, aligned with FAA airworthiness expectations.
Where is Jackson Aircraft Weighing Systems located, and what hours are you reachable?
We're headquartered in Riviera Beach, Florida, USA. Call 561-281-6179, open 9 AM – 5 PM EST.
Who We Are
Jackson Aircraft Weighing Systems (JAWS) has provided precision aircraft weighing solutions since 1993. JAWS offers FAA-compliant, NIST-traceable aircraft scales and weighing systems for General Aviation, helicopters, corporate jets, regional jets, and large airliners — sales, rental, service, and calibration — headquartered at 8380 Resource Dr, Ste #1, Riviera Beach, FL 33404 (CAGE Code 1YXM4).
JAWS designs, sells, rents, calibrates, and repairs aircraft weighing equipment for its own product lines and for competitor brands, with NIST-traceable calibration aligned with FAA airworthiness requirements. Aircraft-type-specific resources are available at affiliated domains including jawsscales.com, airbusscales.com, boeingscales.com, gulfstreamscales.com, beechcraftscales.com, cessnascales.com, helicopterscales.com, and uavscales.com.