HS code for USB cables in the United States
Last updated
Key facts
- Most likely code
- 8544.42
- Candidate codes
- 2
- HS edition
- HS2022
- National lines
- 9
- General duty (MFN)
- free, 2.6%
Summary
USB cables imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 8544.42 when it is an insulated electric conductor for no more than 1,000 volts, fitted with connectors. It sits in heading 85.44, “Insulated (including enamelled or anodised) wire, cable (including co-axial cable) and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fibre cables, made up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors”. USB cables can also fall under 8544.49, depending on the connector fitting. The tariff of the United States has 9 national lines under these codes. The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 8544.42 is free or 2.6%, depending on the line.
How to choose the right code
Is the cable fitted with connectors at its ends? Use 8544.42 when it is an insulated electric conductor for no more than 1,000 volts, fitted with connectors. Use 8544.49 when it is an insulated electric conductor for no more than 1,000 volts without connectors.
Some similar goods are classified elsewhere: 8544.70 applies when it is an optical fibre cable made up of individually sheathed fibres.
Codes for USB cables
Each code is listed with its legal text from the HS2022 Harmonized System release, quoted as published, and the condition under which it applies to USB cables.
- 8544.42
Most likely
Legal text: “Other electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1 000 V: Fitted with connectors”
Heading 85.44: “Insulated (including enamelled or anodised) wire, cable (including co-axial cable) and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fibre cables, made up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors”
Applies when it is an insulated electric conductor for no more than 1,000 volts, fitted with connectors.
- 8544.49
Possible
Legal text: “Other electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1 000 V: Other”
Heading 85.44: “Insulated (including enamelled or anodised) wire, cable (including co-axial cable) and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fibre cables, made up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors”
Applies when it is an insulated electric conductor for no more than 1,000 volts without connectors.
- 8544.70
Classified elsewhere
Legal text: “Optical fibre cables”
Heading 85.44: “Insulated (including enamelled or anodised) wire, cable (including co-axial cable) and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fibre cables, made up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors”
Applies when it is an optical fibre cable made up of individually sheathed fibres.
National lines in the United States
The tariff of the United States splits these codes into 9 national lines, listed with their published text and general duty.
The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 8544.42 is free or 2.6%, depending on the line. Import VAT or sales tax is charged on top, and de minimis rules can change what is due; the landed cost calculator works it out for a shipment.
Under 8544.42
- 8544.42.10.00“Fitted with connectors › Fitted with modular telephone connectors”free
- 8544.42.20.00“Fitted with connectors › Other › Of a kind used for telecommunications”free
- 8544.42.90.10“Fitted with connectors › Other › Other › Extension cords as defined in statistical note 7 to this chapter”2.6%
- 8544.42.90.90“Fitted with connectors › Other › Other › Other”2.6%
Under 8544.49
- 8544.49.10.00“Other › For a voltage not exceeding 80 V › Of a kind used for telecommunications”free
- 8544.49.20.00“Other › For a voltage not exceeding 80 V › Other”3.5%
- 8544.49.30.40“Other › Other › Of copper › For a voltage exceeding 600 V”5.3%
- 8544.49.30.80“Other › Other › Of copper › Other”5.3%
- 8544.49.90.00“Other › Other › Other”3.9%
Similar products
Products in the same category as USB cables, or classified under the same headings.
- Computer keyboardsHS 8471.60
- Computer miceHS 8471.60
- Computer monitorsHS 8528.52
- Digital camerasHS 8525.89
- HeadphonesHS 8518.30
- LaptopsHS 8471.30
- Memory cardsHS 8523.51
- Phone chargersHS 8504.40
- SmartphonesHS 8517.13
- Tablet computersHS 8471.30
- TelevisionsHS 8528.72
- USB flash drivesHS 8523.51
Check your exact product
Describe your product, or paste its page, and the classifier suggests the code in the tariff of the United States with its reasons.
Classification depends on the exact product
The right code depends on what the product is made of, how it is made and what it is for, so two products sold as USB cables can fall under different codes.
Guidance from published tariff data, not a binding ruling. For a decision customs must follow, apply to the destination’s customs authority for a binding tariff ruling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for USB cables?
USB cables imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 8544.42 when it is an insulated electric conductor for no more than 1,000 volts, fitted with connectors. It sits in heading 85.44, “Insulated (including enamelled or anodised) wire, cable (including co-axial cable) and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fibre cables, made up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors”.
Does the connector fitting change the HS code for USB cables?
Yes. Use 8544.42 when it is an insulated electric conductor for no more than 1,000 volts, fitted with connectors. Use 8544.49 when it is an insulated electric conductor for no more than 1,000 volts without connectors.
What is the duty on USB cables imported into the United States?
The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 8544.42 is free or 2.6%, depending on the line. Import VAT or sales tax is charged on top, and de minimis rules can change what is due; the landed cost calculator works it out for a shipment.
Sources and updates
The legal texts are from the HS2022 Harmonized System release, live on border.bot since 11 October 2026.
The national lines are from the tariff release of the United States (2026HTSRev21), live on border.bot since 9 October 2026.
The duty rates are from the live rates release, live on border.bot since 9 October 2026.
The conditions and questions on this page were written for USB cables by border.bot and checked against those legal texts; the page changes when a new release goes live or the topic is reviewed again.
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