Insulated — HTS 8544
Insulated (including enameled or anodized) wire, cable (including coaxial cable) and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fiber cables, made up of individually sheathed fibers, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors
Chapter 85 › Heading 8544
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 8544 is a broad product category for insulated electrical conductors and certain optical-fiber cables. It includes insulated or coated wire, cable, coaxial cable, and other insulated conductors, whether or not they have connectors. It also covers optical-fiber cables made from individually sheathed fibers, including versions combined with electrical conductors or fitted with connectors.
The 4-digit heading is only the starting point. To select the specific 8-digit HTSUS subheading, identify the product’s construction and principal characteristics, then follow the tariff’s subdivisions. Common distinctions can include the conductor material, such as copper or another material; the type of cable or wire; whether it is coaxial or optical fiber; whether it has connectors; and, for some items, voltage or other technical features. Do not assume that a connector or marketing name alone determines classification.
What to check
- Review the product’s technical datasheet, drawings, and packaging to identify the conductor material, insulation, cable type, and connector configuration.
- Separate ordinary insulated wire or cable, coaxial cable, and optical-fiber cable before comparing the 8-digit provisions.
- Check whether the tariff wording distinguishes products by conductor material, voltage, diameter, fiber construction, connector status, or another stated feature.
- Confirm that the item is actually an insulated conductor or covered optical-fiber cable; bare conductors, complete equipment, and specialized assemblies may require analysis outside heading 8544.
- Compare the candidate subheading with current official HTSUS text and seek a customs broker or binding ruling when the construction or primary function is unclear.
HTS heading 8544 summary
Insulated is a 4-digit product category containing 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 8544.60 | Other electric conductors, for a voltage exceeding 1,000 V |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8544.11.00 👉 | Of copper | 3.5% | Free | 40% |
| 8544.19.00.00 👉 | Other | 3.9% | Free | 35% |
| 8544.20.00.00 👉 | Coaxial cable and other coaxial electric conductors | 5.3% | Free | 35% |
| 8544.30.00.00 👉 | Ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships | 5% | Free | 30% |
| 8544.70.00.00 👉 | Optical fiber cables | Free | — | 65% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 8544?
Insulated (including enameled or anodized) wire, cable (including coaxial cable) and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fiber cables, made up of individually sheathed fibers, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors. 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.