Electrical insulators of any material — HTS 8546
Electrical insulators of any material
Chapter 85 › Heading 8546
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 8546 is a broad product category for electrical insulators, regardless of what material they are made from. These are components designed to prevent or limit the flow of electricity between conductors and between a conductor and another surface or structure. The heading can cover insulators used in electrical equipment, wiring systems, transmission or distribution equipment, and similar applications.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTS code, start by confirming that the item’s primary function is electrical insulation rather than support, connection, switching, or another function. The subheading structure commonly separates products by material or construction, such as ceramic or other insulating materials, and may further distinguish a particular type or design. Review the complete product description, construction, and intended use against the current HTSUS wording and official classification notes; unusual or multifunctional products may require customs-broker or ruling guidance.
What to check
- Confirm that the item is an electrical insulator and not merely an electrical accessory, connector, fitting, or structural support.
- Identify the principal insulating material and record whether the product is ceramic, glass, plastic, rubber, composite, or another material.
- Check the item’s design and use, including whether it is a stand-alone insulator or built into another electrical device.
- Read all 8-digit alternatives and the relevant section, chapter, and subheading notes rather than stopping at the 4-digit heading.
- Keep product specifications, drawings, photographs, and supplier information that support the classification, and seek broker or customs-ruling advice for borderline cases.
HTS heading 8546 summary
Electrical insulators of any material 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8546.10.00.00 👉 | Of glass | 2.9% | Free | 50% |
| 8546.20.00 👉 | Of ceramics | 3% | Free | 60% |
| 8546.90.00.00 👉 | Other | Free | — | 30% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 8546?
Electrical insulators of any material. 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.