Smartphones & mobile cellular telephones Import Duty Rate — HTS 8517.13.0000
Smartphones & mobile cellular telephones
Customs Duty Summary
Under Chapter 85 classification, smartphones & mobile cellular telephones (HTS 8517.13.0000) enters at a 0% Column 1 General MFN rate. Chinese-origin shipments currently benefit from exclusion or suspension status (Exempt / List 4B (Suspended)), maintaining the 0.0% baseline tariff.
Tariff & Duty Rate Breakdown
Official USITC duty components applicable to HTS 8517.13.0000
No.
Free under MFN Column 1
Chapter 85
⚠️ Customs Notice: Illustrative reference — verify exact classification against USITC.gov before filing. Always verify binding rulings and final classification codes with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or a licensed customs broker prior to commercial entry filing.
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Electronics & Hardware
Computers, smartphones, wearables, audio gear, printed circuit boards, and electronic components.
Related HTS Codes in Electronics & Hardware
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Multiple loudspeakers mounted in the same enclosure
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Frequently Asked Questions for HTS 8517.13.0000
Official tariff rules, origin differences, and regulatory compliance for importing smartphones & mobile cellular telephones
How are import duties calculated for smartphones and mobile handsets under HTS 8517.13.0000?
Smartphones and cellular transceivers entering under HTS Code 8517.13.0000 carry a 0.0% base customs duty rate under standard Column 1 General MFN schedules. Handsets originating in China are currently designated as suspended under USTR Section 301 List 4B, keeping baseline tariff exposure at 0.0%. However, commercial importers must account for CBP user fees on formal entries, specifically the ad valorem 0.3464% Merchandise Processing Fee ($33.58 minimum per formal entry).
How does country of origin affect tariffs and landed costs for HTS 8517.13.0000 smartphones?
Smartphones entering under HTS 8517.13.0000 carry a universal 0.0% Column 1 MFN duty rate regardless of whether assembly occurs in India, Vietnam, South Korea, or China (where Section 301 List 4B remains suspended). Sourcing from Mexico under USMCA confers preferential originating status when wireless transceiver modules and printed circuit assemblies satisfy USMCA Chapter 85 tariff-shift rules and regional value content requirements. Establishing diversified production across India and Southeast Asia primarily protects against unilateral trade remedy adjustments while retaining the 0% duty baseline.
What FCC equipment authorization and wireless compliance rules apply to HTS 8517.13.0000 smartphones?
Smartphones classified under HTS 8517.13.0000 contain intentional radiofrequency transmitters operating on commercial cellular bands, requiring full FCC equipment certification under Title 47 CFR Parts 22, 24, and 27. Every model must possess a registered FCC ID, comply with Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) radiofrequency exposure limits, and pass PTCRB carrier interoperability testing. Upon commercial entry through ACE, importers must report valid International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) tracking data and electronic FCC clearance declarations.
Can smartphone shipments under HTS 8517.13.0000 enter duty-free under the $800 de minimis rule?
No. The Section 321 $800 duty-free de minimis exemption is suspended for all countries of origin under codified CBP regulations (19 CFR 10.151 and 19 CFR 145.31). Even single-device smartphone shipments valued under $800 now require formal customs entry filing and payment of applicable entry fees. Although HTS 8517.13.0000 enters at 0.0% base MFN duty, importers must report valid FCC registration and IMEI hardware tracking numbers through ACE on all entries regardless of value. (Regulatory status verified as of Q3 2026; subject to ongoing administrative review).