U.S. imports of Laboratory Testing Instruments (End-Use 21600) totaled $670.6M in August 2026, imported from 109 countries.
Importers of Laboratory Testing Instruments paid $70.0M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 10.52% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPrecision laboratory and testing instruments imported into the United States — from chromatography systems to coordinate-measuring machines — serve as critical inputs for pharmaceutical manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, and academic research. Duty treatment varies significantly by instrument type and HTS subheading, and certain high-precision or dual-use instruments may be subject to Section 301 tariffs when sourced from China. Importers should also verify whether instruments intended for scientific research qualify for duty-free treatment under the Florence Agreement provisions administered through CBP.
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25.5K import shipments a month
End-Use codes describe different products on the import and export sides. Cross-direction exports are not shown for this slug.
The Florence Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials allows duty-free entry for qualifying scientific instruments not available in comparable form from domestic manufacturers, when imported by accredited educational or research institutions. The application process is administered through CBP, and eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis — consultation with a licensed customs broker is advisable.
The distinction often turns on design intent and precision grade: instruments built for controlled laboratory environments with high measurement accuracy typically classify under HTS Chapter 90, while industrial process-control sensors or gauges may fall under different headings. Technical specifications, product literature, and the manufacturer's intended use are key evidence in resolving classification disputes.
Commodity 21 of 32 in category 2
Commodity 21600 · $670.6M of $146.7B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
China pays 28.4% duty; Mexico 1.4%.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
Imports
Imports
$670.6MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $7.6B of Laboratory Testing Instruments.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.