HTS heading 8538 · Chapter 85
HTS 8538: Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the…
HTS heading 8538 covers parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or 8537. It has 6 tariff lines with a duty rate; the general (MFN) rates are 3.5% (4 lines), Free (2 lines).
Imports may also owe Chapter 99 tariffs (Section 232, 301 or 201) depending on origin and date, plus the Merchandise Processing Fee and, by sea, the Harbor Maintenance Fee.
Rates from the 2026 HTS Revision 22, effective October 30, 2026. Source: U.S. International Trade Commission.
Tariff lines and duty rates
| HTS code | Description | General | Special | Column 2 | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8538.10.00.00 | Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases for the goods of heading 8537, not equipped with their apparatus[No.] | Free | 35% | Estimate → | |
| 8538.90 | Other: | ||||
| Printed circuit assemblies: | |||||
| 8538.90.10.00 | Of an article of heading 8537 for one of the articles described in additional U.S. note 11 to chapter 85[No.] | Free | 35% | Estimate → | |
| 8538.90.30.00 | Other[No.] | 3.5% | Free (A*,AU,B,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,JP,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) | 35% | Estimate → |
| 8538.90.40.00 | Other, for the articles of subheading 8535.90.40, 8536.30.40 or 8536.50.40, of ceramic or metallic materials, electrically or mechanically reactive to changes in temperature[No.] | 3.5% | Free (A*,AU,B,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) | 35% | Estimate → |
| Other: | |||||
| 8538.90.60.00 | Molded parts[kg] | 3.5% | Free (A*,AU,B,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,JP,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) | 35% | Estimate → |
| 8538.90.81 | Other | 3.5% | Free (A*,AU,B,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,JP,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) | 35% | |
| 8538.90.81.20 | Of automatic circuit breakers[No.] | Estimate → | |||
| Other: | |||||
| 8538.90.81.40 | Metal contacts[kg] | Estimate → | |||
| 8538.90.81.60 | Other parts of switchgear, switchboards, panel boards and distribution boards[No.] | Estimate → | |||
| 8538.90.81.80 | Other[No.] | Estimate → |
10 lines shown. Statistical suffixes (the last two digits) inherit the rate of the 8-digit subheading above them.
Example: base duty and fees on $10000
For HTS 8538.90.30.00 at the general rate of 3.5%, shipped by ocean, before any Chapter 99 tariffs:
| Base duty (3.5%) | $350.00 |
| Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%, min $34.58) | $34.64 |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%) | $12.50 |
| Duty and fees | $397.14 |
Origin-specific tariffs can multiply this. Run this example from China or from Mexico to see every line.
Special program codes in this heading
- A, A*, A+
- Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
- AU
- U.S.–Australia FTA
- B
- Automotive Products Trade Act
- BH
- U.S.–Bahrain FTA
- CL
- U.S.–Chile FTA
- CO
- U.S.–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
- D
- African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
- E, E*
- Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act
- IL
- U.S.–Israel FTA
- JO
- U.S.–Jordan FTA
- JP
- U.S.–Japan Trade Agreement
- KR
- U.S.–Korea FTA (KORUS)
- MA
- U.S.–Morocco FTA
- OM
- U.S.–Oman FTA
- P, P+
- CAFTA-DR
- PA
- U.S.–Panama Trade Promotion Agreement
- PE
- U.S.–Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
- S, S+
- USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement)
- SG
- U.S.–Singapore FTA
A special rate applies only when the goods qualify under that program's rules of origin and the claim is made at entry.