Bluetooth Import Duty Rate — HTS 8518.30.2000
Headphones, earphones & wireless earbuds
Customs Duty Summary
Imports of bluetooth under HTS 8518.30.2000 face a base MFN duty of 0%, but Chinese-origin goods incur additional Section 301 tariffs (Subject to Section 301 (7.5% - 25% if China origin)), elevating total customs exposure to approximately 7.5% – 25.0%.
Tariff & Duty Rate Breakdown
Official USITC duty components applicable to HTS 8518.30.2000
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
Compare duty rates and tariff classifications for related items
Portable automatic data processing machines weighing not more than 10 kg
Portable automatic data processing machines weighing not more than 10 kg (Laptops & Tablets)
Smartphones & mobile cellular telephones
Smartphones & mobile cellular telephones
Smartwatches, fitness bands & connected wearable devices
Smartwatches, fitness bands & connected wearable devices
Multiple loudspeakers mounted in the same enclosure
Multiple loudspeakers mounted in the same enclosure (Bluetooth & Wireless Speakers)
Frequently Asked Questions for HTS 8518.30.2000
Official tariff rules, origin differences, and regulatory compliance for importing bluetooth
How much import duty will I pay on HTS 8518.30.2000 (Headphones, earphones & wireless earbuds)?
Commercial shipments of headphones, earphones & wireless earbuds under HTS 8518.30.2000 carry a base Column 1 General MFN rate of 0.0%. Imports originating from China are subject to additional Section 301 tariffs (Subject to Section 301 (7.5% - 25% if China origin)), elevating total customs tariff liability to approximately 7.5% – 25.0%. Formal entries exceeding $2,500 also require payment of CBP's 0.3464% Merchandise Processing Fee (clamped between $33.58 and $651.50).
Can I avoid Section 301 tariffs on HTS 8518.30.2000 by importing from countries other than China?
Yes. Section 301 tariffs apply strictly to goods originating in the People's Republic of China. If you manufacture or source headphones, earphones & wireless earbuds from alternative electronics production hubs such as Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, or South Korea, you pay only the base Column 1 MFN rate of 0.0%. Sourcing from Mexico under USMCA qualifies for 0% duty-free entry if the product satisfies USMCA electronic rules of origin, requiring substantial transformation and Regional Value Content (RVC) compliance on circuit board subassemblies.
What partner government agency regulations govern importing audio equipment under HTS 8518.30.2000?
Wireless headphones and Bluetooth loudspeakers classified under HTS 8518.30.2000 must obtain FCC equipment certification (Title 47 CFR Part 15) for short-range radiofrequency transceivers. Importers must hold active Bluetooth SIG licensing for trademark compliance and maintain declarations verifying that internal acoustic and plastic components comply with California Proposition 65 chemical exposure standards. Lithium battery-powered models must also comply with DOT 49 CFR 173.185 air transport packaging standards.
Can I import shipments of headphones, earphones & wireless earbuds duty-free under Section 321 de minimis?
No. The Section 321 $800 duty-free de minimis exemption is suspended for all countries of origin under active CBP regulations (19 CFR 10.151 and 19 CFR 145.31). All commercial shipments of headphones, earphones & wireless earbuds under HTS 8518.30.2000 now require customs clearance and owe applicable Column 1 MFN duties (0.0%), Section 301 tariffs (Subject to Section 301 (7.5% - 25% if China origin)), and merchandise processing fees. Partner government agency compliance—such as FCC equipment authorization and DOT/UN 38.3 lithium battery certifications—applies universally from dollar one. (Regulatory status verified as of Q3 2026; subject to ongoing administrative review).