Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical — HTS 8536
Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits (for example, switches, relays, fuses, surge suppressors, plugs, sockets, lamp-holders and other connectors, junction boxes), for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V; connectors for optical fibers, optical fiber bundles or cables
Chapter 85 › Heading 8536
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 8536 is a broad product category for low-voltage electrical devices used to switch, protect, connect, or make connections in electrical circuits. It generally covers apparatus rated at no more than 1,000 volts, including switches, relays, fuses, surge suppressors, plugs, sockets, lamp-holders, connectors, and junction boxes. It also includes connectors for optical fibers, optical-fiber bundles, or optical-fiber cables.
The 4-digit heading is only the starting point. To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, first identify the product’s principal function and then follow the more specific subheadings and statistical suffixes. The detailed categories commonly distinguish product types and construction or material features, but the exact path depends on the article. Check the product’s technical specifications, electrical rating, design, and intended use rather than relying only on its marketing name.
What to check
- Confirm that the device is used for switching, circuit protection, or making an electrical connection, and that its voltage does not exceed 1,000 V.
- Classify by the article’s actual function and design—for example, determine whether it is a switch, fuse, relay, connector, plug, socket, surge protector, junction box, or optical-fiber connector.
- Review the relevant 8536 subheadings and 8-digit statistical provisions for distinctions such as product type, construction, or material; do not stop at the 4-digit heading.
- Use engineering documents, datasheets, wiring diagrams, photographs, and package contents to verify how the product operates and what it connects or protects.
- If the item combines multiple functions or could fit another HTS chapter, ask a customs broker or seek a formal classification ruling before importing.
HTS heading 8536 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 |
|---|---|
| 8536.30 | Other apparatus for protecting electrical circuits |
| 8536.50 | Other switches |
| 8536.90 | Other apparatus |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8536.10.00 👉 | Fuses | 2.7% | Free | 35% |
| 8536.20.00 👉 | Automatic circuit breakers | 2.7% | Free | 35% |
| 8536.70.00.00 👉 | Connectors for optical fibers, optical fiber bundles or cables | Free | — | 45% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 8536?
Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits (for example, switches, relays, fuses, surge suppressors, plugs, sockets, lamp-holders and other connectors, junction boxes), for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V; connectors for optical fibers, optical fiber bundles or cables. 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.