HTS heading 8549 · Chapter 85
HTS 8549: Electrical and electronic waste and scrap
HTS heading 8549 covers electrical and electronic waste and scrap. It has 13 tariff lines with a duty rate; the general (MFN) rates are Free (13 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators; spent primary cells, spent primary batteries and spent electric accumulators: | |||||
| 8549.11 | Waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators; spent lead-acid accumulators: | ||||
| 8549.11.10 | For recovery of lead | Free | 11.5% | ||
| 8549.11.10.40 | Lead-acid storage batteries, of a kind used for starting engines[No., kg] | Estimate → | |||
| 8549.11.10.80 | Other[No., kg] | Estimate → | |||
| 8549.11.90.00 | Other[kg] | Free | Free | Estimate → | |
| 8549.12 | Other, containing lead, cadmium or mercury: | ||||
| 8549.12.40.00 | For recovery of lead[No., kg] | Free | 11.5% | Estimate → | |
| 8549.12.80.00 | Other[kg] | Free | Free | Estimate → | |
| 8549.13.00.00 | Sorted by chemical type and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury[kg] | Free | Free | Estimate → | |
| 8549.14.00.00 | Unsorted and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury[kg] | Free | Free | Estimate → | |
| 8549.19.00.00 | Other[kg] | Free | Free | Estimate → | |
| Of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal: | |||||
| 8549.21.00.00 | Containing primary cells, primary batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode-ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical or electronic components containing cadmium, mercury, lead or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)[kg] | Free | Free | Estimate → | |
| 8549.29.00.00 | Other[kg] | Free | Free | Estimate → | |
| Other electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards: | |||||
| 8549.31.00.00 | Containing primary cells, primary batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode-ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical or electronic components containing cadmium, mercury, lead or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)[kg] | Free | Free | Estimate → | |
| 8549.39.00.00 | Other[kg] | Free | Free | Estimate → | |
| Other: | |||||
| 8549.91.00.00 | Containing primary cells, primary batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode-ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical or electronic components containing cadmium, mercury, lead or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)[kg] | Free | Free | Estimate → | |
| 8549.99.00.00 | Other[kg] | Free | Free | Estimate → |
15 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 8549.11.10 at the general rate of Free, shipped by ocean, before any Chapter 99 tariffs:
| Base duty (Free) | $0.00 |
| Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%, min $34.58) | $34.64 |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%) | $12.50 |
| Duty and fees | $47.14 |
Origin-specific tariffs can multiply this. Run this example from China or from Mexico to see every line.
Frequently asked questions
What is the duty rate for HTS 8549?
Heading 8549 has 13 rate lines. The general (MFN) duty rates are Free (13 lines). Products of free trade agreement partners may enter at the special rate, and Column 2 rates apply to countries without normal trade relations. Chapter 99 tariffs can be added on top: calculate the full amount.
Do Section 301, 232 or 201 tariffs apply to HTS 8549?
It depends on the 8- or 10-digit subheading, the country of origin, the entry date and, for Section 232, the metal content. These additional duties are listed in Chapter 99 of the HTS. The free duty calculator checks each program for a given code, origin and date and shows which apply and why.
What fees are added to an import under HTS 8549?
Formal entries pay the Merchandise Processing Fee of 0.3464% of value (minimum $34.58, maximum $670.86 in FY2027). Ocean shipments also pay the Harbor Maintenance Fee of 0.125% of value. See the import duty calculator for how they combine.