HS code for USB flash drives in the United States
Last updated
Key facts
- Most likely code
- 8523.51
- Candidate codes
- 1
- HS edition
- HS2022
- National lines
- 1
- General duty (MFN)
- free
Summary
USB flash drives imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 8523.51 when it is a solid-state non-volatile storage device. It sits in heading 85.23, “Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, 'smart cards' and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, but excluding products of Chapter 37”. The tariff of the United States has 1 national line under this code. The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 8523.51 is free.
How to choose the right code
Use 8523.51 when it is a solid-state non-volatile storage device.
Some similar goods are classified elsewhere: 8471.70 applies when it is a storage unit of a computer, such as an internal solid-state or hard disk drive.
Codes for USB flash drives
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 flash drives.
- 8523.51
Most likely
Legal text: “Semiconductor media: Solid-state non-volatile storage devices”
Heading 85.23: “Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, 'smart cards' and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, but excluding products of Chapter 37”
Applies when it is a solid-state non-volatile storage device.
- 8471.70
Classified elsewhere
Legal text: “Storage units”
Heading 84.71: “Automatic data processing machines and units thereof; magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing such data, not elsewhere specified or included”
Applies when it is a storage unit of a computer, such as an internal solid-state or hard disk drive.
National lines in the United States
The tariff of the United States splits this code into 1 national line, listed with their published text and general duty.
The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 8523.51 is free. 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 8523.51
- 8523.51.00.00“Solid-state non-volatile storage devices”free
Similar products
Products in the same category as USB flash drives, or classified under the same headings.
- Memory cardsHS 8523.51
- Vinyl recordsHS 8523.80
- Computer keyboardsHS 8471.60
- Computer miceHS 8471.60
- Computer monitorsHS 8528.52
- Digital camerasHS 8525.89
- HeadphonesHS 8518.30
- LaptopsHS 8471.30
- Phone chargersHS 8504.40
- SmartphonesHS 8517.13
- Tablet computersHS 8471.30
- TelevisionsHS 8528.72
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 flash drives 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 flash drives?
USB flash drives imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 8523.51 when it is a solid-state non-volatile storage device. It sits in heading 85.23, “Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, 'smart cards' and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, but excluding products of Chapter 37”.
What is the duty on USB flash drives imported into the United States?
The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 8523.51 is free. 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 flash drives 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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