Lasers — HTS 9013
Lasers, other than laser diodes; other optical appliances and instruments, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter
Chapter 90 › Heading 9013
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 9013 is a broad product category for lasers other than laser diodes, plus certain optical appliances and instruments that are not more specifically covered elsewhere in Chapter 90. It can include optical devices or equipment that manipulate, produce, transmit, or use light, but the heading is a classification starting point—not a complete description of every product that may look optical.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, first confirm that heading 9013 is appropriate rather than another heading that specifically describes the product. Then use the applicable subheading structure, which commonly separates goods by their type, function, or construction and may distinguish materials or other technical features. Read all heading, subheading, chapter, and section notes, and classify the product based on its objective characteristics as imported, not its marketing name alone.
What to check
- Confirm whether the product is a laser, an optical appliance, or another instrument, and identify its principal function.
- Check whether the item is a laser diode or is specifically described by another HTSUS heading; if so, heading 9013 may not apply.
- Review the product’s technical specifications, construction materials, optical components, and operating method against the available 8-digit descriptions.
- Use the legal notes and the complete subheading wording, including any exclusions, rather than stopping at the 4-digit heading.
- Keep product literature, diagrams, photographs, and supplier specifications to support the classification; ask a customs broker or request a binding ruling if the distinctions remain unclear.
HTS heading 9013 summary
Lasers 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 |
|---|---|
| 9013.10 | Telescopic sights for fitting to arms; periscopes; telescopes designed to form parts of machines, appliances, instruments or apparatus of this chapter or section XVI |
| 9013.80 | Other devices, appliances and instruments |
| 9013.90 | Parts and accessories |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9013.20.00.00 👉 | Lasers, other than laser diodes | 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 9013?
Lasers, other than laser diodes; other optical appliances and instruments, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter. 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.