HS Code for Desktop Computer
Desktop computers are classified as automatic data processing (ADP) machines under HTS heading 8471. A complete desktop entered as a system points toward 8471.49, an all-in-one (CPU and input/output in one housing) toward 8471.41, and a stand-alone tower or processing unit toward 8471.50. Peripherals such as keyboards and input/output units point toward 8471.60, and computer parts such as motherboards toward 8473.30. These goods are duty-free, so the task is identifying the right subheading by configuration rather than calculating duty.
| HTS Code | Description | Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8471.50.01.50 | Processing units, whether or not with storage, input or output units in the same housing — other Desktop tower / processing unit (CPU box) | Free |
| 8471.41.01.50 | Automatic data processing machines comprising a CPU and an input and output unit in the same housing — other All-in-one desktop computer (CPU + display/IO integrated) | Free |
| 8471.49.00.00 | Other automatic data processing machines, entered in the form of systems Complete desktop system (tower + monitor + peripherals) entered together | Free |
| 8471.60.90.50 | Input or output units, whether or not containing storage units — other Mouse and other input/output units | Free |
| 8471.60.20.00 | Keyboards Computer keyboards | Free |
| 8471.60.80.00 | Optical scanners and magnetic ink recognition devices Scanners / MICR input devices | Free |
| 8473.30.11.80 | Parts and accessories of ADP machines — printed circuit assemblies — other Motherboards and other populated PCB assemblies for computers | Free |
| 8473.30.51.00 | Parts and accessories of automatic data processing machines — other Other computer parts and accessories (cases, internal components) | Free |
Desktop computers are associated with heading 8471 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, which covers automatic data processing machines and their units. The right subheading depends on the configuration in which the goods are imported.
A complete desktop computer imported as a system — tower, monitor, keyboard and mouse entered together as a functional unit — points toward 8471.49. An all-in-one desktop, where the central processing unit and the input and output units share a single housing, points toward 8471.41. A stand-alone tower or processing unit imported on its own points toward 8471.50 (processing units).
Individual peripheral units point toward 8471.60: keyboards have a dedicated breakout (8471.60.20), optical scanners and magnetic-ink recognition devices another (8471.60.80), and other input or output units fall to the residual lines (8471.60.90). Computer parts and accessories that are not complete units — motherboards and other printed circuit assemblies, internal components, cases — point toward heading 8473 (8473.30).
All of these lines are duty-free, which reflects the Information Technology Agreement coverage of computing equipment. As a result, the main reason to identify the precise subheading is accurate statistical reporting and clean recordkeeping rather than duty calculation. A practical note: a display imported on its own is reviewed as a monitor under heading 8528, not under 8471, and software on physical media follows its own treatment.
Desktop computers and their units under heading 8471, and computer parts under heading 8473, enter the United States duty-free at a 0% general rate. This covers complete systems, all-in-ones, processing units, keyboards, scanners and other input/output units, and parts such as motherboards. Because the duty is free, the reason to identify the correct subheading is accurate statistical reporting. Note that while the regular duty is free, computing equipment from certain origins can be affected by separate trade measures, which is worth reviewing independently of the heading 8471 rate.