Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or 8537
9 declarable lines
Heading 8538 covers parts made for use solely or principally with the switching, protecting and connecting apparatus of headings 8535, 8536 and 8537. The heading starts with empty boards, panels, consoles, desks and cabinets for heading 8537 goods, then covers other parts split by whether they are printed circuit assemblies, molded parts, or other parts, with several end-use lines for circuit breakers, metal contacts and switchgear parts. Rates are free for the bases and for certain printed circuit assemblies, and 3.5% for most of the remaining parts.
Products in this heading
- Empty steel cabinet or enclosure designed to hold two or more breakers or switches of heading 8536
- Molded plastic cover or housing made only for a specific toggle switch
- Printed circuit assembly used in a control panel of heading 8537
- Metal contact points or contact arms for a switch or breaker
- Ceramic or bimetal temperature-sensing part for a thermostat of heading 8536
- Parts of automatic circuit breakers, such as trip units or arc chutes
- Bus bar assembly and mounting base for a distribution board
How to choose the right subheading
- Confirm the part is designed solely or principally for apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or 8537
- Check whether it is an un-equipped base or cabinet for heading 8537 goods, which goes in 8538.10
- Determine whether the part is a printed circuit assembly, a molded part, or another part
- For other parts, check whether an end-use line applies, such as automatic circuit breakers or metal contacts
Often confused with
- Heading 8536A complete switch, relay, fuse or connector
Finished apparatus for circuits up to 1,000 V is classified in 8536, not as its part.
- Heading 8537A finished panel with breakers and controls mounted in it
8538.10 covers only the base or cabinet before the heading 8537 apparatus is installed.
- Heading 8546Ceramic insulators and insulating fittings
Insulators are classified in 8546 even when sized for switchgear.
- Heading 8544Insulated wire, cable and cable assemblies with connectors
Insulated conductors are provided for in 8544 rather than as switchgear parts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for parts of switchgear and distribution boards?
Other parts of switchgear, switchboards, panel boards and distribution boards are classified in 8538.90.81.60, dutiable at 3.5% general (MFN).
What is the duty on molded plastic parts for switches?
Molded parts fall under 8538.90.60.00, with a general (MFN) rate of 3.5%. Empty cabinets for heading 8537 panels are 8538.10.00.00 and enter free.
How do I classify a printed circuit assembly used in an industrial control panel?
Printed circuit assemblies are classified in 8538.90.30.00 at 3.5% general (MFN). If the assembly is for an article described in additional U.S. note 11 to chapter 85, it goes in 8538.90.10.00, which is free.
Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.
All lines in heading 8538
- 8538.10.00.00Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases for the goods of heading 8537, not equipped with their apparatusFree
- 8538.90.10.00Of an article of heading 8537 for one of the articles described in additional U.S. note 11 to chapter 85Free
- 8538.90.30.00Printed circuit assemblies / Other3.5%
- 8538.90.40.00Other, for the articles of subheading 8535.90.40, 8536.30.40 or 8536.50.40, of ceramic or metallic materials, electrically or mechanically reactive to changes in temperature3.5%
- 8538.90.60.00Molded parts3.5%
- 8538.90.81.20Of automatic circuit breakers3.5%
- 8538.90.81.40Metal contacts3.5%
- 8538.90.81.60Other parts of switchgear, switchboards, panel boards and distribution boards3.5%
- 8538.90.81.80Other3.5%