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HSChapter 85
U.S. imports of ballasts for discharge lamps or tubes (HS 850410) totaled $4.8M in April 2026, traded with 36 countries.
Importers of Ballasts for Discharge Lamps or Tubes paid $381K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 15% on $2.5M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Ballasts for Discharge Lamps or Tubes imports of $4.8M in April 2026 ran 16% below the year-to-date monthly average of $5.7M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataBallasts regulate current flow in fluorescent, HID, and other gas-discharge lighting systems, and the entire heading resolves to a single 10-digit line (8504100000), making classification straightforward but requiring importers to distinguish ballasts from LED drivers, which classify under heading 8504 as static converters rather than here. China is the dominant US supplier, making Section 301 tariff exposure a routine cost consideration for importers sourcing from that origin. Mexico and Vietnam are also significant sources, offering alternative supply chains for buyers seeking to manage trade-remedy risk.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
LED drivers are generally classified as static converters under heading 8504 (typically subheading 8504.40) rather than as ballasts under 8504.10. Ballasts under this heading are specifically designed for gas-discharge lamps (fluorescent, HID, neon, etc.) and function by limiting current through an inductive or electronic circuit matched to discharge-lamp characteristics. An LED driver's function and circuit design differ sufficiently that CBP has consistently placed them in the static converter provisions. Consult a customs broker if your product serves both discharge and LED loads.
Ballasts originating in China are subject to Section 301 tariffs, which add to the standard duty rate and must be factored into landed-cost calculations. Vietnam-origin ballasts are not currently subject to Section 301 measures, making Vietnam an increasingly used alternative source. However, importers should ensure that goods claimed as Vietnam-origin meet substantial transformation or tariff-shift rules, as CBP has scrutinized transshipment in this product category.
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Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8504100000 | BALLASTS FOR DISCHARGE LAMPS OR TUBES | $4.8M | 15.18% | $381K |
BALLASTS FOR DISCHARGE LAMPS OR TUBES
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8504100000 | BALLASTS FOR DISCHARGE LAMPS OR TUBES | $2.1M |
BALLASTS FOR DISCHARGE LAMPS OR TUBES
81.6K no
MACH FOR RECP/CONVR/TRANS/REGN OF VOICE/IMAGE/DATA
HS 851762
SOLID-STATE NON-VOL SEMICONDUCTOR STORAGE DEVICES
HS 852351
SMARTPHONES
HS 851713
PROCESSORS AND CONTROLLERS, ELECTRONIC INTEG CIRCT
HS 854231
CONTROLS ETC W ELECT APPR F ELECT CONT NOV 1000 V
HS 853710
STATIC CONVERTERS; ADP POWER SUPPLIES
HS 850440
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $1.0M | $594K | -$442K |
| Pennsylvania | $1.3M | $96K | -$1.2M |
| Virginia | $663K | $92K | -$571K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTAY MESA, CA | $1.1M | $213K | -$923K |
| NEWARK, NJ | $891K | -- | -$891K |
| NEW ORLEANS, LA | $737K | $129K | -$607K |