Microphones and stands therefor — HTS 8518
Microphones and stands therefor; loudspeakers, whether or not mounted in their enclosures; headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers; audio-frequency electric amplifiers; electric sound amplifier sets; parts thereof
Chapter 85 › Heading 8518
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 8518 is a broad product category for equipment that captures, reproduces, or amplifies audio. It groups together microphones and their stands; loudspeakers, whether installed in cabinets or other enclosures or not; headphones and earphones, including those combined with a microphone; microphone-and-loudspeaker sets; audio-frequency electric amplifiers; electric sound amplifier sets; and parts of these products.
The four-digit heading is only the starting point. To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS subheading, identify the product’s principal function and physical configuration, then follow the more detailed descriptions under heading 8518. The distinctions may involve the type of equipment, whether components are combined, how a loudspeaker or amplifier is configured, and whether an item is a part rather than a complete product. Do not assume that a product’s marketing name determines its classification; review the legal tariff text and any applicable classification rules.
What to check
- Identify the product’s primary function: microphone, loudspeaker, headphone or earphone, amplifier, amplifier set, or part.
- Check whether multiple audio functions are combined, such as headphones with a microphone or a set containing a microphone and loudspeaker.
- For loudspeakers and amplifiers, document the physical configuration and relevant technical characteristics described by the tariff provisions.
- Confirm that a claimed part is designed principally or solely for the equipment covered by heading 8518, rather than being a general-purpose electronic component.
- Compare the complete 8-digit HTSUS text and unit-of-quantity requirements with the product’s specifications, and obtain customs-broker or classification-professional advice when the distinctions are unclear.
HTS heading 8518 summary
Microphones and stands therefor is a 4-digit product category containing 1 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 8518.10 | Microphones and stands therefor |
| 8518.30 | Headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers |
| 8518.40 | Audio-frequency electric amplifiers |
| 8518.90 | Parts |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8518.50.00.00 👉 | Electric sound amplifier sets | Free | — | 35% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 8518?
Microphones and stands therefor; loudspeakers, whether or not mounted in their enclosures; headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers; audio-frequency electric amplifiers; electric sound amplifier sets; parts thereof. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.