U.S. imports of Ballasts for Discharge Lamps or Tubes (HS 850410) totaled $5.7M in August 2026, imported from 43 countries.
Importers of Ballasts for Discharge Lamps or Tubes paid $610K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 10.90% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 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.
466 import shipments a month
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.
Subheading 11 of 11 in heading 8504
Subheading 850410 · $5.7M of $3.1B
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8504100000 | Ballasts for Discharge Lamps or Tubes | $5.6M | 10.90% | 66.33% | $610K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8504100000 | Ballasts for Discharge Lamps or Tubes | $4.0M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
ImportsExports
Imports
$5.7MYoY · free account
Exports
$4.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $67.5M of Ballasts for Discharge Lamps or Tubes and exported $32.0M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Mexico and China together supply 54% of it. China pays 22.3% duty; Mexico 0.7%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
33.1% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 10.90% of imports for consumption.