U.S. imports of Unequipped Boards, Panels, Consoles, and Cabinets for Electrical Control Equipment (HS 853810) totaled $71.5M in August 2026, imported from 58 countries.
Importers of Unequipped Boards, Panels, Consoles, and Cabinets for Electrical Control Equipment paid $6.9M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 9.99% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Unequipped Boards, Panels, Consoles, and Cabinets for Electrical Control Equipment imports of $71.5M in August 2026 ran 17% above the year-to-date monthly average of $61.1M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataBare enclosures — including boards, panels, consoles, desks, and cabinets — designed to house electrical control or distribution apparatus but imported without that apparatus installed classify here rather than under heading 8537. The single US tariff line (8538100000) covers the full range of these structural bases, and the critical classification boundary is the absence of integrated electrical apparatus: once equipped, the assembly migrates to 8537. Mexico and Canada are the leading suppliers, consistent with North American supply-chain integration for industrial electrical equipment. Importers should document the unequipped status clearly, as CBP may scrutinize shipments where wiring harnesses or mounting hardware could suggest partial equipping.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
7.1K import shipments a month
An enclosure classifies under 8538 only when it arrives without electrical apparatus installed. If the enclosure is imported with any switching, protective, or measuring apparatus already fitted — even partially — it is considered 'equipped' and should be classified under 8537. Mounting rails, DIN rails, and cable management accessories alone generally do not constitute electrical apparatus, but integrated busbars or pre-wired terminals may.
Heading 8538 does not subdivide by material at the 6-digit level, and the single US 10-digit line (8538100000) covers all materials — steel, aluminum, and non-metallic enclosures alike. However, if an enclosure is not specifically designed for electrical control equipment (e.g., a general-purpose metal cabinet), it may classify under a furniture or metal articles heading instead. The design intent and compatibility with heading 8537 apparatus are the determining factors.
ImportsExports
Imports
$71.5MYoY · free account
Exports
$25.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $688.7M of Unequipped Boards, Panels, Consoles, and Cabinets for Electrical Control Equipment and exported $252.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Mexico and Canada together supply 59% of it. China pays 38.9% duty; Mexico 6.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
45.7% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 9.99% of imports for consumption.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8538100000 | Boards, Panels, Consoles Etc of 8537 Less Apts | $69.0M | 9.99% | 52.65% | $6.9M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8538100000 | Boards, Panels, Consoles Etc of 8537 Less Apts | $25.0M |
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.
Subheading 2 of 2 in heading 8538
Subheading 853810 · $71.5M of $502.0M
Trade Directory
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