HS Code for Cable
Cable is a material-dependent term in the tariff. Insulated electrical cable points toward heading 8544, which separates conductors fitted with connectors (8544.42) from those without (8544.49), with dedicated lines for coaxial cable (8544.20) and optical fiber cable (8544.70). Non-electrical steel-wire rope and cable points toward heading 7312. General rates run from duty-free (telecom and fiber-optic cable, steel rope) up to about 5.3% (coaxial and some bulk conductors), so the first question is whether the cable is an electrical conductor, an optical fiber cable, or mechanical steel-wire cable.
| HTS Code | Description | Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8544.42.90.90 | Insulated electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V, fitted with connectors — other Finished electrical cables/cordsets with connectors (general) | 2.6% |
| 8544.42.20.00 | Insulated electric conductors, ≤1,000 V, fitted with connectors — of a kind used for telecommunications Telecom patch/data cables with connectors | Free |
| 8544.42.10.00 | Insulated electric conductors, ≤1,000 V, fitted with modular telephone connectors Telephone cables with modular connectors | Free |
| 8544.49.90.00 | Insulated electric conductors, ≤1,000 V, not fitted with connectors — other Bulk insulated wire/cable without connectors | 3.9% |
| 8544.49.30.80 | Insulated electric conductors, ≤1,000 V, not fitted with connectors — other Bulk insulated conductors, specific breakout | 5.3% |
| 8544.49.20.00 | Insulated electric conductors, ≤1,000 V, not fitted with connectors — other Bulk insulated conductors, specific breakout | 3.5% |
| 8544.49.10.00 | Insulated electric conductors, ≤1,000 V, not fitted with connectors — of a kind used for telecommunications Bulk telecom cable without connectors | Free |
| 8544.20.00.00 | Coaxial cable and other coaxial electric conductors Coaxial cable | 5.3% |
| 8544.70.00.00 | Optical fiber cables (made up of individually sheathed fibers) Fiber-optic cable | Free |
| 7312.10.10.50 | Stranded wire, ropes and cables of iron or steel, not electrically insulated — other Steel wire rope / mechanical cable (non-electrical) | Free |
| 7312.10.05.00 | Stranded wire, ropes and cables of iron or steel — fitted with fittings or made up into articles Steel cable assemblies with end fittings | Free |
Because 'cable' can mean several different products, the first step is to identify what kind of cable it is: an insulated electrical conductor, a coaxial or fiber-optic cable, or a mechanical steel-wire rope.
Insulated electrical cable for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 volts points toward heading 8544. The principal split there is whether the cable is fitted with connectors. Cordsets, patch cables and assemblies fitted with connectors point toward 8544.42, while bulk insulated wire and cable without connectors points toward 8544.49. Within both, conductors of a kind used for telecommunications are broken out separately and are generally duty-free, while general-purpose conductors carry a modest rate.
Coaxial cable has its own subheading at 8544.20, and optical fiber cables made up of individually sheathed fibers point toward 8544.70 (duty-free). Higher-voltage conductors (over 1,000 V) are provided for at 8544.60.
Mechanical cable — stranded wire, ropes and cables of iron or steel that are not electrically insulated — points instead toward heading 7312. This is the route for wire rope, aircraft cable and similar tension members, which are generally duty-free, with a breakout for assemblies fitted with end fittings.
The reliable approach is to review the cable's function and construction first. An insulated power or data cable points toward 8544, a coaxial or fiber cable to its named subheadings, and a bare steel wire rope to 7312. Confirming whether the electrical cable has connectors and whether it is a telecommunications type then narrows the duty outcome.
Duty treatment for cable depends on type. Telecommunications cable (with or without connectors) and optical fiber cable are duty-free, as are steel wire ropes and cables under heading 7312. General insulated electrical cable with connectors is around 2.6%, bulk insulated conductors without connectors run around 3.5%–5.3%, and coaxial cable is around 5.3%. Preferential rates under free trade agreements may reduce or eliminate these duties for qualifying origins. Identifying the cable type and whether it is a telecommunications conductor is the key to the rate.