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End-UseCategory 1
U.S. imports of blank audio and visual tapes (End-Use 16110) totaled $16.8M in April 2026, traded with 16 countries.
Importers of Blank Audio and Visual Tapes paid $1.6M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 10% on $16.0M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Blank Audio and Visual Tapes imports of $16.8M in April 2026 ran 106% above the year-to-date monthly average of $8.2M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataBlank magnetic recording media — including audio and video tapes in unrecorded form — occupy a mature, declining segment of the media supply chain, with demand now concentrated in archival, broadcast, and specialized industrial recording applications rather than consumer markets. Classification in this end-use category turns on whether the media is truly unrecorded (blank) versus pre-recorded, as recorded media falls under entirely different HTS provisions. Importers should also be aware that certain blank media have historically been subject to private copying levies or trade disputes in other jurisdictions, though US import duties apply to the physical goods.
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The critical distinction is whether the tape contains any recorded content at the time of importation. Blank (unrecorded) tapes are classified under media headings, while pre-recorded audio or video tapes fall under separate HTS provisions that may carry different duty rates. Customs may request technical documentation or samples to verify unrecorded status.
While consumer demand has largely shifted to digital formats, blank magnetic tape continues to be imported for broadcast archiving (LTO data tape), professional audio recording, and certain industrial data storage applications. These niche segments sustain a residual but specialized import flow.
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End-Use codes describe different products on the import and export sides. Cross-direction exports are not shown for this slug.
Monthly import values over time