Section XVI · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts; sound and TV apparatus

8538.90

Other:

How this code is built
85

Chapter

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts; sound and TV apparatus

38

Heading

The product family within the chapter

90

Subheading

The specific good, identical worldwide

The first six digits are the same in every country that uses the Harmonized System. The United States adds two more for the tariff rate and, often, two more for statistics — which is why the rates below are listed against 8- and 10-digit numbers rather than against this code.

How the schedule reaches this code

  1. 85Electrical machinery and equipment and parts; sound and TV apparatus
  2. 8538Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or 8537:
  3. Other:

Published US duty rates

Duty is set at the 8- or 10-digit line, not at this 6-digit subheading, so more than one rate can sit under this code.

  • 8538.90.10.00Of an article of heading 8537 for one of the articles described in additional U.S. note 11 to chapter 85No.
    General
    Free
    Special (FTA)
    —

    No preferential rate published.

    Column 2
    35%

    Countries without normal trade relations.

  • 8538.90.30.00OtherNo.
    General
    3.5%
    Special (FTA)
    Free (A*,AU,B,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,JP,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG)

    Only if the goods qualify under one of these programs.

    Column 2
    35%

    Countries without normal trade relations.

  • 8538.90.40.00Other, 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 temperatureNo.
    General
    3.5%
    Special (FTA)
    Free (A*,AU,B,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG)

    Only if the goods qualify under one of these programs.

    Column 2
    35%

    Countries without normal trade relations.

  • 8538.90.60.00Molded partskg
    General
    3.5%
    Special (FTA)
    Free (A*,AU,B,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,JP,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG)

    Only if the goods qualify under one of these programs.

    Column 2
    35%

    Countries without normal trade relations.

  • 8538.90.81Other
    General
    3.5%
    Special (FTA)
    Free (A*,AU,B,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,JP,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG)

    Only if the goods qualify under one of these programs.

    Column 2
    35%

    Countries without normal trade relations.

Schedule footnotes

  • See 9903.88.03.
  • See 9903.88.01.

A reference to Chapter 99 means an additional action — a Section 232 or 301 measure, an exclusion, or a quota — applies on top of the rate above.

This is the listed rate. Antidumping and countervailing duty orders, Chapter 99 actions and preference qualification all change what is actually collected, and classification is a judgement about your goods. Verify with your licensed customs broker before you file.

Other subheadings in heading 8538

Source: U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) — 2026 HTS Revision 12, released 2026-07-21, published at hts.usitc.gov. A U.S. Government work in the public domain.