{
  "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.",
  "updatedAt": "2026-10-11",
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Most likely code",
      "value": "8544.42",
      "source": null,
      "url": "https://border.bot/hs-codes/854442"
    },
    {
      "label": "Chapter",
      "value": "85: Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles",
      "source": null,
      "url": "https://border.bot/hs-codes/85"
    },
    {
      "label": "Candidate codes",
      "value": "2",
      "source": null
    },
    {
      "label": "HS edition",
      "value": "HS2022",
      "source": null
    },
    {
      "label": "National lines",
      "value": "9",
      "source": "https://hts.usitc.gov/reststop/exportList?from=0000000000&to=9999999999&format=CSV&styles=false"
    },
    {
      "label": "General duty (MFN)",
      "value": "free, 2.6%",
      "source": "https://hts.usitc.gov/reststop/exportList?from=0000000000&to=9999999999&format=CSV&styles=false"
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "What is the HS code for USB cables?",
      "answer": "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”."
    },
    {
      "question": "Does the connector fitting change the HS code for USB cables?",
      "answer": "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."
    },
    {
      "question": "What is the duty on USB cables imported into the United States?",
      "answer": "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."
    }
  ],
  "sections": [
    {
      "id": "choose",
      "title": "How to choose the right code",
      "text": [
        "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."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "codes",
      "title": "Codes for USB cables",
      "text": [
        "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."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "lines",
      "title": "National lines in the United States",
      "text": [
        "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."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "similar",
      "title": "Similar products",
      "text": [
        "Products in the same category as USB cables, or classified under the same headings."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "check",
      "title": "Check your exact product",
      "text": [
        "Describe your product, or paste its page, and the classifier suggests the code in the tariff of the United States with its reasons."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "note",
      "title": "Classification depends on the exact product",
      "text": [
        "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."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "sources",
      "title": "Sources and updates",
      "text": [
        "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."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "data": {
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    "topic": {
      "slug": "usb-cables",
      "name": "USB cables",
      "singular": "USB cable",
      "plural": "USB cables",
      "synonyms": [
        "charging cable",
        "usb-c cable",
        "lightning cable",
        "data cable",
        "phone cable"
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      "category": {
        "id": "electronics",
        "name": "Electronics"
      }
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    "edition": "HS2022",
    "country": {
      "code": "US",
      "name": "United States",
      "slug": "united-states"
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    "ratesLive": true,
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        "code": "854442",
        "role": "likely",
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        "legalText": "Other electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1 000 V: Fitted with connectors",
        "levels": [
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          "Fitted with connectors"
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          "code": "8544",
          "description": "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"
        },
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        }
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        "code": "854449",
        "role": "possible",
        "when": "it is an insulated electric conductor for no more than 1,000 volts without connectors",
        "legalText": "Other electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1 000 V: Other",
        "levels": [
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          "Other"
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        }
      },
      {
        "code": "854470",
        "role": "elsewhere",
        "when": "it is an optical fibre cable made up of individually sheathed fibres",
        "legalText": "Optical fibre cables",
        "levels": [
          "Optical fibre cables"
        ],
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          "code": "8544",
          "description": "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"
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          "description": "Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles"
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          "854449"
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        "question": "Is the cable fitted with connectors at its ends?"
      }
    ],
    "lines": [
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        "code": "854442",
        "lines": [
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            "code": "8544421000",
            "description": "Fitted with modular telephone connectors",
            "levels": [
              "Other electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V",
              "Fitted with connectors",
              "Fitted with modular telephone connectors"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "8544421000",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
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              "unit": null
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            "code": "8544422000",
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              "Fitted with connectors",
              "Other",
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              "code": "8544422000",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
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            "measures": []
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          {
            "code": "8544429010",
            "description": "Extension cords as defined in statistical note 7 to this chapter",
            "levels": [
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              "Fitted with connectors",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Extension cords as defined in statistical note 7 to this chapter"
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            "general": {
              "code": "85444290",
              "dutyText": "2.6%",
              "startDate": null,
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              "unit": null
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            "code": "8544429090",
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            "description": "For a voltage exceeding 600 V",
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              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other"
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            "general": {
              "code": "8544499000",
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              "startDate": null,
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              "unit": null
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            "measures": []
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    "similar": [
      {
        "slug": "computer-keyboards",
        "name": "Computer keyboards",
        "category": {
          "id": "electronics",
          "name": "Electronics"
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        "codes": [
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      {
        "slug": "computer-mice",
        "name": "Computer mice",
        "category": {
          "id": "electronics",
          "name": "Electronics"
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        "codes": [
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      {
        "slug": "computer-monitors",
        "name": "Computer monitors",
        "category": {
          "id": "electronics",
          "name": "Electronics"
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      {
        "slug": "digital-cameras",
        "name": "Digital cameras",
        "category": {
          "id": "electronics",
          "name": "Electronics"
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        "codes": [
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        "slug": "headphones",
        "name": "Headphones",
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          "id": "electronics",
          "name": "Electronics"
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        "slug": "laptops",
        "name": "Laptops",
        "category": {
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          "name": "Electronics"
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        "slug": "memory-cards",
        "name": "Memory cards",
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          "name": "Electronics"
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        "codes": [
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      {
        "slug": "phone-chargers",
        "name": "Phone chargers",
        "category": {
          "id": "electronics",
          "name": "Electronics"
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        "codes": [
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      },
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        "slug": "smartphones",
        "name": "Smartphones",
        "category": {
          "id": "electronics",
          "name": "Electronics"
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        "codes": [
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        ]
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        "slug": "tablets",
        "name": "Tablet computers",
        "category": {
          "id": "electronics",
          "name": "Electronics"
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        "slug": "televisions",
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        "category": {
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          "name": "Electronics"
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        "slug": "usb-flash-drives",
        "name": "USB flash drives",
        "category": {
          "id": "electronics",
          "name": "Electronics"
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        "codes": [
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  "terms": "https://border.bot/legal/terms",
  "notice": "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.",
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