Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical — HTS 8535
Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits (for example, switches, fuses, lightning arresters, voltage limiters, surge suppressors, plugs and other connectors, junction boxes), for a voltage exceeding 1,000 V
Chapter 85 › Heading 8535
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 8535 is a broad product category for electrical apparatus used in circuits operating above 1,000 volts. It generally covers equipment that switches, protects, connects, or helps control those circuits, such as high-voltage switches, fuses, lightning arresters, voltage limiters, surge suppressors, plugs, connectors, and junction boxes.
The four-digit heading is only the starting point. To reach the correct eight-digit HTSUS subheading, identify the product’s specific function and construction, then follow the more detailed legal descriptions under heading 8535. Subheadings may distinguish the apparatus by type, design, or material—for example, whether it is a fuse, switch, connector, or other listed device. Confirm that the item’s rated operating voltage exceeds 1,000 V and that no exclusion or more-specific heading applies.
What to check
- Check the product’s rated voltage and confirm it is intended for circuits exceeding 1,000 V; do not rely only on marketing terms such as “high voltage.”
- Identify the item’s primary electrical function: switching, circuit protection, surge or lightning protection, or making a connection.
- Review the product’s technical specifications, drawings, photographs, and construction materials against every available 8535 subheading description.
- Distinguish a complete apparatus from parts, accessories, assemblies, or equipment classified elsewhere; the correct treatment can depend on the item’s condition and design.
- Verify the proposed eight-digit code in the current HTSUS and obtain customs-broker or other classification advice when the product has multiple functions or an unusual design.
HTS heading 8535 summary
Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical is a 4-digit product category containing 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 8535.90 | Other |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8535.10.00 👉 | Fuses | 2.7% | Free | 35% |
| 8535.30.00 👉 | Isolating switches and make-and-break switches | 2.7% | Free | 35% |
| 8535.40.00.00 👉 | Lightning arresters, voltage limiters and surge suppressors | 2.7% | 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 8535?
Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits (for example, switches, fuses, lightning arresters, voltage limiters, surge suppressors, plugs and other connectors, junction boxes), for a voltage exceeding 1,000 V. 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.