Surveying — HTS 9015
Surveying (including photogrammetrical surveying), hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances, excluding compasses; rangefinders; parts and accessories thereof
Chapter 90 › Heading 9015
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 9015 is a four-digit product category for specialized instruments used to measure, map, or study the Earth and its environment. It covers surveying and photogrammetric equipment, hydrographic and oceanographic instruments, hydrological and meteorological devices, geophysical instruments, and qualifying parts and accessories. The heading has stated exclusions, so a product that resembles one of these items may belong elsewhere.
To reach the correct eight-digit HTS code, start with the instrument’s actual function and principal use, then read the subheadings and statistical provisions under 9015. Those provisions commonly separate products by instrument type, technical design, or whether the item is a part or accessory; material may matter in some tariff categories but is not automatically the deciding factor. Confirm the product’s construction, capabilities, and condition against the official HTS text and relevant classification guidance.
What to check
- Identify the instrument’s primary measuring or scientific function, not just its marketing name.
- Check every subheading and statistical suffix under 9015 for distinctions based on type, design, use, or parts-versus-complete equipment.
- Review the heading’s exclusions and compare the product with nearby headings before choosing 9015.
- Keep product specifications, manuals, photographs, and part numbers that support the classification.
- Confirm the result with current official HTS resources or a customs broker when the item has multiple functions or could fit more than one heading.
HTS heading 9015 summary
Surveying 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 |
|---|---|
| 9015.10 | Rangefinders |
| 9015.20 | Theodolites and tachymeters (tacheometers) |
| 9015.30 | Levels |
| 9015.40 | Photogrammetrical surveying instruments and appliances |
| 9015.80 | Other instruments and appliances |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9015.90.01 👉 | Parts and accessories | Free | — | The rate applicable to the article of which it is a part or accessory |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 9015?
Surveying (including photogrammetrical surveying), hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances, excluding compasses; rangefinders; 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.