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HSChapter 85
U.S. imports of ballasts for discharge lamps or tubes (HS 850410) totaled $6.7M in July 2026, traded with 42 countries.
Importers of Ballasts for Discharge Lamps or Tubes paid $764K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 14% on $5.3M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Ballasts for Discharge Lamps or Tubes imports of $6.7M in July 2026 ran 17% above the year-to-date monthly average of $5.7M.
Last updated: July 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.
480 shipments/mo
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 · $6.7M of $3.2B
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8504100000 | Ballasts for Discharge Lamps or Tubes | $6.7M | 11.48% | 79.48% | $764K |
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 | $2.7M |
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
$6.7MYoY · Pro
Exports
$2.7MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · July 2026
origin
China and Vietnam together supply 57% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
20.6% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 11.48%.