What is the import duty on telecommunications electric conductors from China?

On HTS 8544.42.20.00 the effective duty rate is 50% (0% general rate + 25% Section 301 + 25% Section 232 Copper (Derivative)). On a $10,000 customs value that is $5,000 in duty before CBP fees.

Which tariff programs apply to HTS 8544.42.20.00 from China?

Section 301 China (List 3) at 25%; Section 232 Copper (Derivative) at 25%. Checked and not applied: Section 301 forced labor (Exempt: article is already subject to Section 232 duties (9903.05.90, U.S. note 52)).

What does CBP charge on top of the duty?

The Merchandise Processing Fee at 0.3464% of value, $34.64 here, subject to the statutory minimum and maximum. The Harbor Maintenance Fee at 0.125% on ocean entries, $12.50 here. Total government fees on this shipment: $47.14. Collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Is this the exact amount my customs broker will collect?

It is a planning estimate priced by the Gateway tariff engine on the assumptions shown: HTS 8544.42.20.00, China origin, $10,000 customs value, ocean transport. The entered classification, the appraised value, the entry date and any exclusion or program claim change the result, and antidumping or countervailing rates are exporter-specific. Run your own numbers in the calculator and confirm with a licensed broker.

Machinery and electronics / HTS 8544.42.20.00

Telecommunications electric conductors from China: 50% import duty

A worked example on a $10,000 commercial shipment of insulated electric conductors for telecommunications, rated at 1,000 V or less and fitted with connectors. Priced Sep 2, 2026 by the Gateway tariff engine, the same engine behind the calculator, with every active duty program stacked and every carve-out shown.

Effective duty rate

50%

All active programs stacked

Duties on $10,000

$5,000

Ad valorem duty amount

CBP fees

$47.14

MPF and HMF, ocean entry

Landed cost

$15,047.14

Goods, duties and fees

How the rate is built

Each line is a separate legal authority. They stack on the $10,000 customs value unless a carve-out says otherwise.

Program	Heading	Rate	Amount
General rate of duty (Column 1) Official rate: Free 8544.42.20.00	8544.42.20.00	0%	$0.00
Section 301 China (List 3)		25%	$2,500.00
Section 232 Copper (Derivative) As of April 6, 2026, CBP may assess Section 232 metals duties based on US sales price rather than declared customs value.		25%	$2,500.00
Effective duty rate		50%	$5,000.00

Checked and not applied

Section 301 forced labor: Exempt: article is already subject to Section 232 duties (9903.05.90, U.S. note 52)

Notes for this line

Section 301 China tariff (List 3) adds 25% to this product.
Section 232 Copper (Derivative) tariff adds 25%.
Section 301 forced labor does not apply to this line: Exempt: article is already subject to Section 232 duties (9903.05.90, U.S. note 52).

What changed on this lane

57.5% before the first entry below, 50% today.

Feb 20, 2026IEEPA tariffs removed (SCOTUS)-20 pts
Jul 24, 2026Section 301 forced labor: articles the product of China (U.S. note 52) added+12.5 pts

Official classification

8544.42.20.00Of a kind used for telecommunications

Insulated (including enameled or anodized) wire, cable (including coaxial cable) and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fiber cables, made up of individually sheathed fibers, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors › Other electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V › Fitted with connectors › Other › Of a kind used for telecommunications

Source: Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, USITC, current revision. General rate of duty (Column 1) as published; Chapter 99 headings as listed in the table above.

Same product, other origins

HTS 8544.42.20.00 priced from other countries.

Telecommunications electric conductors from Malaysia

More from China

Other lines importers price from the same origin.

Questions about this example

What is the import duty on telecommunications electric conductors from China?: On HTS 8544.42.20.00 the effective duty rate is 50% (0% general rate + 25% Section 301 + 25% Section 232 Copper (Derivative)). On a $10,000 customs value that is $5,000 in duty before CBP fees.
Which tariff programs apply to HTS 8544.42.20.00 from China?: Section 301 China (List 3) at 25%; Section 232 Copper (Derivative) at 25%. Checked and not applied: Section 301 forced labor (Exempt: article is already subject to Section 232 duties (9903.05.90, U.S. note 52)).
What does CBP charge on top of the duty?: The Merchandise Processing Fee at 0.3464% of value, $34.64 here, subject to the statutory minimum and maximum. The Harbor Maintenance Fee at 0.125% on ocean entries, $12.50 here. Total government fees on this shipment: $47.14. Collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Is this the exact amount my customs broker will collect?: It is a planning estimate priced by the Gateway tariff engine on the assumptions shown: HTS 8544.42.20.00, China origin, $10,000 customs value, ocean transport. The entered classification, the appraised value, the entry date and any exclusion or program claim change the result, and antidumping or countervailing rates are exporter-specific. Run your own numbers in the calculator and confirm with a licensed broker.

Estimate for planning purposes only, priced on the assumptions stated above. Actual duties depend on the entered classification, the appraised value, the entry date and any program or exclusion claimed, and antidumping or countervailing rates are exporter-specific. Gateway Lines is not a licensed customs broker; confirm official determinations with one.