Why does the rate differ by country for the same HTS code?

The Column 1 rate is the same for every origin with normal trade relations. Trade-remedy duties under Sections 232, 301 and 338 are imposed by origin, by product, or by both, so two shipments of the same article from different countries can carry very different totals.

Is this the rate I will actually pay?

It is the rate that applies to this classification and origin on the date shown. The duty owed on a specific entry also depends on the 10-digit statistical suffix, declared content where a duty is content-based, preference eligibility, and any AD/CVD order in scope.

HTS 8538

Heading 8538 covers parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or 8537. Duty is assessed at the 10-digit statistical line; the figures here are resolved for 8538.10.00.00, the first line under this heading. Its Column 1 rate is Free; other lines under 8538 carry different Column 1 rates. On top of that, the ad valorem total depends on origin: China carries 87.50% and United Kingdom carries 60.00%.

Chapter 85 · Verified 2026-08-31
HTS 2026HTSRev17

9 statistical lines under this heading · 2 distinct Column 1 rates · highest ad valorem total 87.50% from China · lowest 60.00% from United Kingdom

Origin	Ad valorem layers	Layers	Reported under
China CHN	87.50%	mfn + s232 + s301 + s301	9903.88.01 9903.05.31 9903.82.02
Vietnam VNM	62.50%	mfn + s232 + s301	9903.05.84 9903.82.02
Japan JPN	62.50%	s232 + s301	9903.05.49 9903.82.02
South Korea KOR	62.50%	s232 + s301	9903.05.71 9903.82.02
Thailand THA	62.50%	mfn + s232 + s301	9903.05.77 9903.82.02
Brazil BRA	62.50%	mfn + s232 + s301	9903.05.27 9903.82.02
Mexico MEX	60.00%	mfn + s232 + s301	9903.05.55 9903.82.02
Canada CAN	60.00%	mfn + s232 + s301	9903.05.29 9903.82.02
India IND	60.00%	mfn + s232 + s301	9903.05.44 9903.82.02
Germany DEU	60.00%	s232 + s301	9903.05.39 9903.82.02
Italy ITA	60.00%	s232 + s301	9903.05.39 9903.82.02
United Kingdom GBR	60.00%	mfn + s232 + s301	9903.05.81 9903.82.02

Table 1Rate by country of origin for 8538.10.00.00, resolved 2026-08-31. The first statistical line under 8538; other lines may carry different Column 1 rates.

Code	Description	Column 1	Special	Units
8538.10.00.00	Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases for the goods of heading 8537, not equipped with their apparatus	Free	—	No.
8538.90.10.00	Of an article of heading 8537 for one of the articles described in additional U.S. note 11 to chapter 85	Free	—	No.
8538.90.30.00	Other	3.5%	Free (A*,AU,B,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,JP,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG)	No.
8538.90.40.00	Other, for the articles of subheading 8535.90.40, 8536.30.40 or 8536.50.40, of ceramic or metallic materials, electrically or mechanically reactive to changes in temperature	3.5%	Free (A*,AU,B,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG)	No.
8538.90.60.00	Molded parts	3.5%	Free (A*,AU,B,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,JP,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG)	kg
8538.90.81.20	Of automatic circuit breakers	inherited	—	No.
8538.90.81.40	Metal contacts	inherited	—	kg
8538.90.81.60	Other parts of switchgear, switchboards, panel boards and distribution boards	inherited	—	No.
8538.90.81.80	Other	inherited	—	No.

Table 2Statistical suffixes under 8538. Duty is assessed at the 10-digit level; the Column 1 rate is stated at the subheading and inherited below it.

Programme	Rate as published	Contribution	Reported under	In force from
Column 1 General (MFN)	Free	0.00%	—	not established
Source: USITC, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, 2026 HTS Revision 17, published 2026-08-01. Verified 2026-08-31.
Section 232	The duty provided in the applicable subheading + 50%	50.00% if in scope	9903.82.02	2025-06-04
Applies only where aluminium, steel or copper is at least 15 percent of the weight of the article, per U.S. note 16(c). The duty falls on the full customs value when it applies. Source: FEDERAL REGISTER, Proclamation 11021, adjusting imports of aluminum, steel and copper (FR Doc. 2026-06960), published 2026-04-09. Verified 2026-08-31.
Section 301	The duty provided in the applicable subheading plus 25%	25.00%	9903.88.01	2018-07-06
Status unconfirmed. The second statutory four-year review of this action is running. The continuation-request deadlines for the underlying 2018 actions closed on 2026-07-05 and 2026-08-22 and no continuation notice has been published. There is no evidence of termination either, and the duty is almost certainly still collectible; what we cannot do is cite a document saying so. Source: USTR, Notice of Action: China's Acts, Policies and Practices Related to Technology Transfer (List 1) (83 FR 28710), published 2018-06-20. Verified 2026-08-31.
Section 301	The duty provided in the applicable subheading + 12.5%	12.50%	9903.05.31	2026-07-24
Source: USTR, Notice of Actions in Section 301 Investigations of Various Economies (FR Doc. 2026-15181), published 2026-07-28. Verified 2026-08-31.

Table 3Duty stack for 8538.10.00.00 from China, resolved 2026-08-31.

Common questions

What is the duty rate for HTS 8538?: Heading 8538 covers parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or 8537. Duty is assessed at the 10-digit statistical line; the figures here are resolved for 8538.10.00.00, the first line under this heading. Its Column 1 rate is Free; other lines under 8538 carry different Column 1 rates. On top of that, the ad valorem total depends on origin: China carries 87.50% and United Kingdom carries 60.00%.
Why does the rate differ by country for the same HTS code?: The Column 1 rate is the same for every origin with normal trade relations. Trade-remedy duties under Sections 232, 301 and 338 are imposed by origin, by product, or by both, so two shipments of the same article from different countries can carry very different totals.
Is this the rate I will actually pay?: It is the rate that applies to this classification and origin on the date shown. The duty owed on a specific entry also depends on the 10-digit statistical suffix, declared content where a duty is content-based, preference eligibility, and any AD/CVD order in scope.