{
  "name": "U.S. duty stack for power & connectivity hardware (HTS 8504 / 8544 / 8471)",
  "description": "Effective U.S. import duty by origin (China, Vietnam, USMCA-Mexico) for the HTS codes power adapters, chargers, cable assemblies, bulk cable, coaxial, optical fiber, and USB hubs classify under — every layer cited to its authority with a verification date.",
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Kestner Supply",
    "url": "https://kestnersupply.com"
  },
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "attribution": "Kestner Supply, \"The duty stack for power and connectivity hardware\" — https://kestnersupply.com/insights/duty-stack-power-products",
  "humanReadable": "https://kestnersupply.com/insights/duty-stack-power-products",
  "verified": "2026-08-07",
  "htsusRevision": "Rev. 14",
  "disclaimer": "Estimates for planning, not customs or legal advice. Duties are ad valorem on the entered value and the layers ADD (no compounding). Classification depends on construction and end use — confirm with a licensed customs broker. The Section 301 forced-labor action is being litigated.",
  "layers": {
    "mfnBase": "Per-code MFN base rate (see rows[].mfnBaseRatePct); \"0\" = Free.",
    "section301China": {
      "ratePct": 25,
      "appliesTo": "goods of Chinese origin only",
      "ch99": "9903.88.03",
      "list": "List 3",
      "note": "Bulk-cable line 8544.49.30 rides List 1 (9903.88.01) at the same rate — see rows[].note.",
      "citation": {
        "authority": "USTR Section 301 / CBP",
        "cite": "9903.88.03 · 84 FR 20459",
        "url": "https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/tariff-actions"
      }
    },
    "section301ForcedLabor": {
      "ratePct": 12.5,
      "appliesTo": "China, Vietnam, and 41 other economies; USMCA-compliant Mexico/Canada exempt",
      "effective": "2026-07-24",
      "citation": {
        "authority": "White House Presidential Action / USTR §301 forced-labor",
        "cite": "Presidential Action 2026-07-23 · USTR Docket 2026-0265/0266 · HTSUS 9903.05.xx · eff. 2026-07-24",
        "url": "https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/07/actions-by-the-united-states-in-the-investigations-under-section-301-of-the-trade-act-of-1974-of-the-acts-policies-and-practices-of-60-economies-related-to-the-failure-of-each-economy-to-impose-and/"
      }
    },
    "merchandiseProcessingFee": {
      "ratePct": 0.3464,
      "minUSD": 33.58,
      "maxUSD": 651.5,
      "fiscalYear": "FY2026",
      "note": "Charged once per formal entry on the entered value, not per line; USMCA-originating goods exempt.",
      "citation": {
        "authority": "CBP customs user fees (COBRA)",
        "cite": "19 CFR 24.23 · FY2026 adjustment",
        "url": "https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1128"
      }
    }
  },
  "rows": [
    {
      "htsCode": "8504.40.85",
      "description": "Static converters — For telecommunication apparatus",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 0,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": true,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 37.5,
        "vietnam": 12.5,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "The flagship power code for telecom/networking adapters and STB supplies.",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8504.40.85 (Free)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "htsCode": "8504.40.95",
      "description": "Static converters — Other",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 0,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": true,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 37.5,
        "vietnam": 12.5,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "Free at MFN — same base as 8504.40.85. (The live MDX pages state 1.5% here; that is the reconciliation item in 13-TARIFF-DATASET.md.) CBP ruling places 8504.40.9510 products of China under 9903.88.03 at +25%.",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8504.40.95 (Free)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        },
        {
          "authority": "CBP ruling",
          "cite": "8504.40.9510 · 9903.88.03 (+25%)",
          "url": "https://rulings.cbp.gov"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "htsCode": "8504.40.60",
      "description": "Static converters — Suitable for physical incorporation into ADP machines or units of heading 8471",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 0,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": false,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 37.5,
        "vietnam": 12.5,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "Where an internal/OEM power supply for a data-processing unit classifies. Free at MFN. CBP ruling places 8504.40.6018 under 9903.88.03 at +25%.",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8504.40.60 (Free)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "htsCode": "8504.40.70",
      "description": "Static converters — Other [power supplies]",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 0,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": false,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 37.5,
        "vietnam": 12.5,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "Adjacent power-supply line, Free at MFN.",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8504.40.70 (Free)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "htsCode": "8544.42.90",
      "description": "Other electric conductors, fitted with connectors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V — Other",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 2.6,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": true,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 40.1,
        "vietnam": 15.1,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "Where most connectorized assemblies land: USB-C, USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet patch, AV, power cords. CBP ruling places 8544.42.9090 products of China under 9903.88.03 at +25%.",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8544.42.90 (2.6%)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "htsCode": "8544.20.00",
      "description": "Coaxial cable and other coaxial electric conductors",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 5.3,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": true,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 42.8,
        "vietnam": 17.8,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "Highest base of the common cable codes.",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8544.20.00 (5.3%)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "htsCode": "8544.70.00",
      "description": "Optical fiber cables",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 0,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": true,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 37.5,
        "vietnam": 12.5,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "Free at MFN; the entire landed duty is the Section 301 overlay (25% + 12.5%).",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8544.70.00 (Free)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "htsCode": "8544.42.20",
      "description": "Fitted with connectors, ≤1,000 V — Of a kind used for telecommunications",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 0,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": false,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 37.5,
        "vietnam": 12.5,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "CLASSIFICATION NUANCE: telecom-grade connectorized cable can enter Free here rather than 2.6% under 8544.42.90. End-use and CBP practice decide; do not assume the lower line without support.",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8544.42.20 (Free)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "htsCode": "8544.42.10",
      "description": "Fitted with connectors, ≤1,000 V — Fitted with modular telephone connectors",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 0,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": false,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 37.5,
        "vietnam": 12.5,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "RJ/modular-telephone terminated cable; Free at MFN.",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8544.42.10 (Free)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "htsCode": "8544.49.30",
      "description": "Not fitted with connectors, ≤1,000 V — Other (rated over 80 V), of copper",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 5.3,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": true,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 42.8,
        "vietnam": 17.8,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "Where BULK / unterminated cable actually lands. CBP N354596 (Oct 2025) classifies 300 V-rated bulk Cat5e on reels here at 5.3%: the Free ≤80 V telecom line is decided by the cable’s max voltage RATING (HQ H014776), and standard LAN jacket is rated 300 V. Rides Section 301 List 1 (9903.88.01, same 25%) per N337956.",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8544.49.30 (5.3%)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        },
        {
          "authority": "CBP ruling",
          "cite": "N354596 (2025) · bulk Cat5e → 8544.49.3080",
          "url": "https://rulings.cbp.gov/ruling/N354596"
        },
        {
          "authority": "CBP ruling",
          "cite": "N337956 (2024) · China · 9903.88.01 (+25%)",
          "url": "https://rulings.cbp.gov/ruling/N337956"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "htsCode": "8544.49.10",
      "description": "Not fitted with connectors, ≤1,000 V — Rated ≤80 V, of a kind used for telecommunications",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 0,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": false,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 37.5,
        "vietnam": 12.5,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "CLASSIFICATION NUANCE: Free — but only for cable genuinely RATED ≤80 V. Standard 300 V-rated Cat5e/6 bulk does NOT qualify (N354596); older rulings placing Cat5/6 here (N020326, 2007) predate the voltage-rating doctrine. Do not assume without support.",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8544.49.10 (Free)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        },
        {
          "authority": "CBP ruling",
          "cite": "N354596 (2025) · voltage rating decides",
          "url": "https://rulings.cbp.gov/ruling/N354596"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "htsCode": "8471.80.00",
      "description": "Other units of automatic data processing machines",
      "mfnBaseRatePct": 0,
      "section301Applies": true,
      "inKestnerCatalog": true,
      "effectiveRatePct": {
        "china": 37.5,
        "vietnam": 12.5,
        "mexico": 0
      },
      "note": "The one networking-unit code in the catalog; Free at MFN.",
      "citations": [
        {
          "authority": "USITC HTSUS",
          "cite": "HTSUS 8471.80.00 (Free)",
          "url": "https://hts.usitc.gov"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}