HS Code for Mobile Phones
Mobile phones point toward heading 8517 of the HTSUS, which covers telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular or other wireless networks. Smartphones have their own subheading at 8517.13, while basic and feature phones point toward 8517.14. The general rate of duty on both is Free. Parts point toward 8517.7, and accessories such as chargers, batteries and cases are usually assessed under their own headings.
HTS Codes for Mobile Phones
| HTS Code | Description | Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8517.13.00.00 | Telephone sets: smartphones Smartphones running a mobile operating system, such as iPhone and Android handsets | Free |
| 8517.14.00.50 | Other telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks: other radio telephones designed for the Public Cellular Radiotelecommunication Service Basic and feature phones (non-smartphone cell phones) for public cellular networks | Free |
| 8517.14.00.20 | Other telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks: radio telephones designed for installation in motor vehicles for the Public Cellular Radiotelecommunication Service Cellular radio telephones built to be installed in vehicles | Free |
| 8517.14.00.80 | Other telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks: other Other wireless phones, such as satellite phones or phones for private wireless networks | Free |
| 8517.11.00.00 | Line telephone sets with cordless handsets Cordless home phones connected to a landline (shown for contrast with mobile phones) | Free |
| 8517.18.00.50 | Telephone sets: other, other Corded landline telephones and other telephone sets not covered above | Free |
| 8517.62.00.90 | Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data: other Connected devices that are not telephones, such as smartwatches and other wireless data devices (shown for contrast) | Free |
| 8517.71.00.00 | Parts: aerials and aerial reflectors of all kinds; parts suitable for use therewith Antennas and antenna parts for phones and other heading 8517 apparatus | Free |
| 8517.79.00.00 | Parts of telephone sets and other apparatus of heading 8517: other Phone parts such as housings, display assemblies, camera modules and circuit boards identifiable for use with mobile phones | Free |
How to Approach Classification for Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are provided for in heading 8517 of the HTSUS, which covers telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks, along with other apparatus for transmitting or receiving voice, images or data. The first branch separates telephone sets (8517.1) from other communication apparatus (8517.6) and parts (8517.7).
Within telephone sets, smartphones have a dedicated subheading at 8517.13. A handset running a full mobile operating system with apps, a touchscreen and data capability, such as an iPhone or an Android phone, usually points toward 8517.13.00.00. Cell phones that are not smartphones, such as basic and feature phones, point toward 8517.14 instead, where the statistical lines separate vehicle-installed cellular radio telephones (8517.14.00.20), other phones for the public cellular service (8517.14.00.50), and other wireless phones such as satellite handsets (8517.14.00.80).
Landline phones sit elsewhere in the same group. Cordless home phones with a base connected to a line point toward 8517.11, and corded and other telephone sets toward 8517.18. Devices that send and receive data but are not telephones, such as many smartwatches, mobile hotspots and wireless data modules, usually point toward 8517.62 rather than the phone lines. Tablets are a separate question again, since they are generally assessed as data processing machines under heading 8471 rather than as telephones.
Parts follow their own branch. Antennas point toward 8517.71, while housings, display assemblies, camera modules and other parts identifiable for use with phones point toward the residual parts line at 8517.79. Parts with a broader use, such as memory chips, are usually assessed under their own headings.
Accessories shipped separately rarely stay in heading 8517. Chargers and power adapters usually point toward heading 8504, lithium-ion batteries toward 8507.60, and protective cases toward headings for articles of plastics or for cases and containers, depending on construction. A phone imported in retail packaging with its charger and cable, on the other hand, generally travels as a single unit with the phone.
Duty Rate Overview
General duty rates across the mobile phone and related lines shown are Free, including smartphones at 8517.13, other cellular and wireless phones at 8517.14, landline sets at 8517.11 and 8517.18, data devices at 8517.62, and parts at 8517.71 and 8517.79. Because the base rate is Free across these lines, identifying the right subheading is mainly about a better classification suggestion rather than a change in the estimated base duty. Additional duties such as Section 301 or IEEPA-based tariffs may apply to phones and phone parts depending on country of origin, so the total estimate can differ from the base rate. Accessories assessed under other headings, such as chargers, batteries and cases, follow their own rates. These figures are estimates for general planning purposes only.