Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the — HTS 8538
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or 8537
Chapter 85 › Heading 8538
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 8538 is a parts category. It covers parts that are suitable for use solely or principally with electrical apparatus of heading 8535, 8536, or 8537. In general, those headings cover equipment such as switching, protecting, connecting, controlling, or distributing electrical circuits. The part must be identifiable as intended mainly for that type of apparatus; a general-purpose item may belong in another heading.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, first identify the apparatus the part is designed to serve and confirm that the apparatus falls in heading 8535, 8536, or 8537. Then follow the heading’s subheading structure, which commonly separates parts associated with certain apparatus types from other parts and may distinguish the part by type, construction, or material. Review the complete 8-digit description, not just the heading or a product keyword, and compare it with the product’s actual design and function.
What to check
- Identify the finished apparatus for which the item is intended, and verify that it is classified in heading 8535, 8536, or 8537.
- Determine whether the item is a dedicated part or a general-purpose component that may be classified elsewhere.
- Check the part’s physical type, principal function, construction, and material against every available subheading description.
- Confirm whether the item is imported as a separate part or as part of a complete apparatus, because complete equipment is generally classified under its own heading.
- Review current HTSUS notes, classification rulings, and product documentation; ask a customs broker or obtain a formal ruling when the intended use or principal classification is uncertain.
HTS heading 8538 summary
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the 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 |
|---|---|
| 8538.90 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8538.10.00.00 👉 | Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases for the goods of heading 8537, not equipped with their apparatus | 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 8538?
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or 8537. 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.