U.S. imports of Telecommunications Equipment (End-Use 21400) totaled $15.4B in August 2026, imported from 149 countries.
Importers of Telecommunications Equipment paid $414.0M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 2.82% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Telecommunications Equipment imports of $15.4B in August 2026 ran 13% above the year-to-date monthly average of $13.5B.
Last updated: August 2026 dataImported telecommunications equipment spans a broad commercial spectrum — from switching and routing hardware to transmission apparatus and terminal devices — making it one of the most trade-remedy-exposed technology categories in US import data. Many product lines within this end-use category are subject to Section 301 tariffs depending on origin, a critical cost variable for supply-chain planners sourcing from Asia. Classification disputes frequently arise at the border over whether a device is primarily a telecom apparatus or a computing device, so precise technical specifications and FCC compliance documentation are essential for smooth entry.
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190.1K 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.
Many telecommunications equipment lines sourced from China are subject to Section 301 tariffs, which stack on top of the base MFN duty rate. Importers should confirm the specific HTS subheading and origin before calculating landed cost, as Section 301 exposure varies by product line.
Beyond standard commercial invoices and packing lists, importers of telecom equipment often need FCC equipment authorization records (such as an FCC ID) to demonstrate the device meets US radio frequency standards. Some products may also require export control review under EAR if they contain controlled technology.
Commodity 3 of 32 in category 2
Commodity 21400 · $15.4B of $146.7B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
Vietnam and Thailand together supply 45% of it.
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
$15.4BYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $152.8B of Telecommunications Equipment.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.