Binoculars — HTS 9005
Binoculars, monoculars, other optical telescopes, and mountings therefor; other astronomical instruments and mountings therefor, but not including instruments for radio-astronomy; parts and accessories thereof
Chapter 90 › Heading 9005
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 9005 is a four-digit product category for certain viewing and astronomy equipment. It generally groups binoculars, monoculars, optical telescopes, astronomical instruments other than radio-astronomy equipment, their mountings, and qualifying parts and accessories. A “mounting” is the support or fitting used to hold, position, or move an optical instrument.
The heading is only the starting point, not the final tariff classification. To reach an eight-digit HTSUS code, first identify the exact article and its principal function, then follow the heading’s subheadings and statistical breakouts. The detailed codes may distinguish product type, construction or material, intended use, or whether the item is a complete instrument, mounting, part, or accessory. Do not assume every camera accessory, electronic scope, or astronomy product belongs in heading 9005; headings elsewhere may apply.
What to check
- Describe the item precisely: binoculars, monoculars, telescope, astronomical instrument, mounting, part, or accessory—and state its principal function.
- Check whether the product is an optical instrument covered by heading 9005 or instead an electronic, photographic, surveying, toy, or radio-astronomy product classified elsewhere.
- Read the complete heading 9005 subheading structure and the relevant chapter and section notes before selecting the eight-digit code.
- Confirm material, construction, optical specifications, mounting features, and whether the item is imported complete or as a separate part or accessory.
- Keep product literature, technical specifications, photographs, and invoices supporting the classification; seek a customs broker or binding ruling when the design or intended use is unclear.
HTS heading 9005 summary
Binoculars 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 |
|---|---|
| 9005.80 | Other instruments |
| 9005.90 | Parts and accessories (including mountings) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9005.10.00 👉 | Binoculars | Free | — | 60% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 9005?
Binoculars, monoculars, other optical telescopes, and mountings therefor; other astronomical instruments and mountings therefor, but not including instruments for radio-astronomy; parts and accessories thereof. 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.